Box Score
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Junior Federico Levi grabbed a No. 1 singles win against Georgia State's nationally-ranked Nejc Podkrajsek for one of the University of North Florida men's tennis team's four singles wins in its 4-3 home-opening victory at the UNF Tennis Complex on Sunday.
“I am glad Federico was able to defeat a ranked player in straight sets,” UNF head coach Igal Buberman said. “This result helps the kids understand why we put in so much time and effort into this program.”
Levi's 6-4, 6-3 win over No. 69 Podkrajsek proved a crucial one in the match. The Ospreys fell behind 1-0 after the Panthers won two of the three doubles matches.
“Doubles were a little tougher today, and I think that we could have started with more intensity,” Buberman said. “There are a few things that we are going to work on this week, but the communication between players was pretty good.”
Podkrajsek and Martin Shishkov rolled to an 8-3 No. 1 doubles win over Levi and freshman Marc Misanovic'. Junior Kurt Gattiker and freshman Marcos Chiaretti kept UNF's doubles-point hopes alive with a 8-4 win against Orlando Battaglia and Trenton Spinks, but GSU's William Adeimy and Jackson Moore matched the score of their team's other doubles win, moving past sophomore Graham Edgar and freshman Ronnie Sang in the No. 3 doubles slot.
Shishkov defeated Misanovic' 7-5, 6-4 at the No. 2 singles position and Henri Mangin slipped past Gattiker in three sets (6-2, 4-6, 6-1) in the third singles position. UNF captured much needed straight-set victories in the Nos. 4-6 singles slots to seal the win.
Chiaretti (No. 4) and Sang (No. 6) each needed extra games in their respective opening sets, both holding the advantage after 7-5 first-set wins. Chiaretti finished with a 6-4 second-set decision while Sang soared through set number two, 6-2.
Edgar made quick work of Adeimy at the No. 5 slot, sliding through with a 6-2, 6-0 win.
“We are looking forward to playing South Carolina State on the Jan. 29 and know that they are a lot stronger and will present a bigger challenge,” Buberman said. “The players are motivated and they look forward to test their limits.”
The match with S.C. State will be the last home match for the Ospreys until Feb. 14, against Troy. UNF goes on a two-match road trip to Central Florida and Florida Atlantic beginning on Jan. 31.
