Jan. 25, 2008

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis men's tennis team did not drop a set in their season-opener, sweeping Austin Peay State University, 7-0, Friday afternoon.

"It was a good start to the season," Head Coach Paul Goebel said. "It's always fun to get back in to competition and to play against some other people besides our teammates. Not knowing what to expect with such a young team, it was good to see us well in a team setting and do well in a dual match."

Memphis used three freshman in the middle of the line-up in the first dual match of the spring, with freshman Michael Gaerthoeffner picking up a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 2 singles, while fellow freshman Leon Naseman opened his Tiger career with a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 3 singles. Jordan Smith, a freshman who just joined the Tigers in practice just days ago opened his Tiger tennis career with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Leandro Zenklusen.

Senior Amrit Narasimhan closed out the match with a 6-4, 6-2 win at No. 1 singles to sweep the season-opener, 7-0.

The Tigers will remain at home for one more match this weekend, hosting UT Martin, Sunday at WellWorx at 1 p.m. That match will be followed by the University of Memphis women's tennis team taking on UT Martin upon the completion of the men's match, at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Memphis 7, Austin Peay State 0

Doubles
No. 1 - Amrit Narasimhan/Charlie Ramsay (UM) def. Leandro Tolosa-Zenklusen/Leonardo Locatelli, 8-6
No. 2 - Spencer Heflin/Leon Naseman (UM) def. Lucas de Brito/Patrick Puertolas, 9-7
No. 3 - Benedikt Fischer/Jordan Smith (UM) def. Darren Tallent/Jay Wilkinson, 8-5

Singles
No. 1 - Amrit Narasimhan (UM) def. Lucas de Brito, 6-4, 6-2
No. 2 - Michael Gaerthoeffner (UM) def. Leoonardo Locatelli, 6-3, 6-2
No. 3 - Leon Naseman (UM) def. Patrick Puertolas, 6-2, 6-1
No. 4 - Jordan Smith (UM) def. Leandro Tolosa-Zenklusen, 6-4, 6-3
No. 5 - Charlie Ramsay (UM) def. Jay Wilkinson, 6-3, 6-1
No. 6 - Benedikt Fischer (UM) def. Darren Tallent, 6-1, 6-1