March 10, 2009

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Memphis men's tennis team will take on the No. 17 Arizona Wildcats at 2:30 p.m. (CST) at the Robson Tennis Center in Tucson, Ariz. Memphis enters Wednesday's scuffle with a record of 6-5 thus far. The Wildcats have posted a mark of 11-1 so far this season, with their only loss coming to No. 9 Florida on Jan. 30.

The Tigers continue to be led at the No. 1 position by 73rd-ranked Jorge Vazquez. Vazquez, a native of La Coruna, Spain, has posted an 8-4 record in his first season with the U of M. Three of Vazquez' losses this season have come to ranked opponents. Earlier this season, Vazquez upended two players ranked among the Top-30 singles players in the nation. Vazquez has peaked at No. 51 this season, three spots shy of Lee Taylor Walker, who came in at No. 48 in January of 2004. Walker is the highest ranked singles player in the history of the Memphis tennis program.

In singles, the No. 1 duo of Vazquez and Spencer Heflin has put up a record of 2-4, with three losses to doubles players ranked among the Top-25 doubles netters in the country.

Arizona is led by 96th-ranked Jay Goldman at the No. 1 position. Goldman has posted a mark of 6-3 this season for the Wildcats. Goldman has two win this year over Top-35 opponents. He defeated No. 33 Rudolf Siwy of Fresno State, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, and No. 34 Raony Carvalho of Texas Tech, 6-2, 6-2.

In doubles, the No. 1 tandem of Francois VanderMerwe and Pat Metham are currently rated as the 20th-best doubles pair nationally. VanderMerwe and Metham are 3-4 so far this season.

Memphis will continue their road trip in Arizona with a match against Cal Poly on Fri., March 13 at the Robson Tennis Center in Tucson.