March 9, 2007

TEMPE, Ariz. - The University of Memphis men's tennis team almost rallied back after losing the doubles point, but fell short of an upset against No. 43 Denver, Friday, at the University of Arizona. The Tigers, now 3-8 overall, fell 4-3 to the Pioneers.

The loss marks the closest yet that the Tigers have come to upending a ranked opponent, as Denver was the eighth ranked opponent the Tigers have faced so far this season.

The middle of the Tiger line-up is what sparked the comeback, as Benedikt Fischer, Charlie Ramsay and Spencer Heflin all picked up victories in singles play after Denver won all three doubles matches to open the match. Junior Jimmy Khougassian won his first set at No. 2 singles, but then lost the second and third set 6-3, 6-4, preventing the Tigers from wrapping up the comeback.

With the momentum of their best showing against a ranked foe under their belts, the Tigers now return home, where they will host Indiana State, Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m. The Tigers will also host Tennessee Tech, Sunday, beginning at noon.

No. 43 Denver 4, Memphis 3
Doubles
No. 1 - Adam Holmstrom/Niklas Persson def. Amrit Narasimhan/Benedikt Fischer (UM), 8-3
No. 2 - Nejc Smole/Ravjot Dhatt def. Charlie Ramsay/Jimmy Khougassian (UM), 8-6
No. 3 - Kalle Rossen/Timo Kienle def. Spencer Heflin/Garrison Pilant (UM), 8-6
Singles
No. 1 - No. 19 Adam Holmstrom def. Amrit Narasimhan (UM), 6-3, 6-0
No. 2 - Nejc Smole def. Jimmy Khougassian (UM), 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
No. 3 - Benedikt Fischer (UM) def. Timo Kienle, 6-3, 6-7, 10-3
No. 4 - Charlie Ramsay (UM) def. Niklas Persson, 6-2, 6-2
No. 5 - Spencer Heflin (UM) def. Kalle Rosen, 4-6, 6-3, 1-0, ret.
No. 6 - Ravjot Dhatt def. Garrison Pilant (UM), 6-3, 6-4