Tigers Drop Close Decision at #34 NC State Saturday

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Clemson men’s tennis team dropped a close decision to #34 North Carolina State on Saturday afternoon at the J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center by a score of 4-3. The Tigers fall to 11-11 overall and 2-5 in the ACC with the loss, while the Wolfpack improve to 15-10 (2-4 ACC).

“I am really proud of the way our team came right back from a tough defeat yesterday against the #1 team in the country and competed with everything they had today,” said Head Coach Chuck McCuen. “Players challenged themselves and each other last night to change the story and leave it all on the court. Can’t wait to get after it when we get back to Clemson.”

North Carolina State clinched the doubles point on Saturday afternoon against the Tigers. The Wolfpack claimed victories at No.2 and No. 3 to clinch the doubles point. Alex Favrot and Luke Johnson were down 0-3 before battling back, winning 6-4 on court one. Arturo Pinazo and Austin Ansari fell 3-6 on court two, bringing the deciding match to court three. Robert Dudley and Daffra Sanon came up short in their comeback effort of their own, falling 7-5.

In singles play, North Carolina State clinched the match with hard fought wins at No. 1, No. 4 and No. 5. Junior Daffra Sanon defeated 85^th-ranked Thomas Weigel at No. 2, 6-0, 6-1, to tie the match at one a piece. After the Wolfpack secured a point from No. 4, Luke Johnson tied the match at two, defeating 77^th-ranked Nick Horton at No. 3, 6-2, 7-5. Christian Harris gave the Tigers the lead, winning 6-4, 6-3, at No. 6. North Carolina State won at No. 5, tying the match at three. The match would come down to freshman Alex Favrot on court one. Favrot battled for three sets against 44^th-ranked Simon Norenius before falling, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. ­­

Clemson returns to the courts on Friday, April 1 when the Tigers return to Clemson to take on the Boston College Eagles. The match is set for a 11 a.m. start. Periodic updates will be available via Twitter, @ClemsonMTennis

Clemson 3, #34 NC State 4

Singles1. #44 Simon Norenius (NCST) def. Alex Favrot (CU) 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 2. Daffra Sanon (CU) def. #85 Thomas Weigel (NCST) 6-0, 6-1 3. Luke Johnson (CU) def. #77 Nick Horton (NCST) 6-2, 7-54. Igor Saveljic (NCST) def. Robert Dudley (CU) 6-1, 6-45. Ivan Saveljic (NCST) def. Austin Ansari (CU) 6-1, 6-46. Christian Harris (CU) def. Shoti Meparidze (NCST) 6-4, 6-3Order of finish: 2,4,3,6,5,1*

Doubles1. Luke Johnson/Alex Favrot (CU) def. Simon Norenius/Thomas Weigel (NCST) 6-42. Nick Horton / Shoti Meparidze (NCST) def. Austin Ansari/Arturo Pinazo (CU) 6-33. Igor Saveljic/Ivan Saveljic (NCST) def. Robert Dudley/Daffra Sanon (CU) 7-5Order of finish: 1,2,3*