JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Federico Nani and Jorge Nunez overcame a three-point deficit to win the decisive doubles match, 7-6, but No. 45 USF (9-5) recovered as it upended the Ospreys, 5-2, at the UNF Tennis Complex Thursday, March 14.

Dominik Barton and Till Von Winning gelled in their first match as a doubles pair, defeating Chase Ferguson and Sergio Gomez Montesa, 6-2.

Sahil Deshmukh and Nilo Duarte played their first match as a pair as well, hanging tough against No. 77 Pierre Luquet and Alberto Barroso-Campos before falling, 6-4.

Federico Nani and Jorge Nunez won an exciting, comeback match at two doubles to put UNF ahead, 1-0. Down 5-2 they stormed back to even it up at six. The pair outlasted Jakub Wojcik and Ivan Yatsuk, 7-4, to win by tiebreak.

Duarte's success as of late continued in singles. The Barcelona, Spain, native cruised to a 6-4, 6-1 win as UNF created a 2-0 lead. USF got back into the match and eventually took control of it with five consecutive wins. A crucial match at one singles between No. 29 Barroso-Campos and Deshmukh took a pivotal turn as Barroso-Campos won 7-6 in the first set. Barroso-Campos would go on to win the second set, 6-1.

The two teams played to completion as Wojcik outlasted Nunez 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-8).

Coach Lucas' Comments
"You know, we are just trying to find the right combinations [in reference to the doubles lineup]. It's as much about chemistry as it is about tennis. We are just trying to make sure that we have it right by conference and the conference tournament. We tried some new things and I liked what it looked like. For us to become a nationally-legitimate program we have to play a nationally-legitimate schedule. Adding South Florida, UCF, South Alabama, Vandy, that's only going to make our guys better. So, once we get to the ASUN there won't be any new experiences. I was really proud of the feel of the match; I was having a blast and having fun. The way the match felt, it looked like the guys played with enthusiasm and passion, and that's what we've been searching for. Even the guys that didn't win put themselves in the right position. We can't expect this to become the norm, because for something to become the norm it has to happen over and over. We will see Saturday against South Alabama if we will come with the same enthusiasm, which I think we will. If we do we will put ourselves in position again to be a really good team." -- Head coach Matt Lucas

Notes:

• USF fell 4-3 to No. 4 Virginia March 10.
• UNF has yet to beat the Bulls.
• Barton and Von Winning won in their first match as a doubles pair.
• UNF has utilized 10 different doubles combinations this season.
• Duarte has UNF's longest winning streak. He's on a four-match winning streak.
• It's UNF's first home loss of the season.

 
Singles Competition
1. #29 Alberto Barroso-Camp (USF) def. Sahil Deshmukh (UNF) 7-6, 6-1
2. Chase Ferguson (USF) def. Dominik Barton (UNF) 6-1, 6-4
3. Pierre Luquet (USF) def. Till Von Winning (UNF) 6-1, 6-3
4. Jakub Wojcik (USF) def. Jorge Nunez (UNF) 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-8)
5. Nilo Duarte (UNF) def. Ivan Yatsuk (USF) 6-4, 6-1
6. Sergio Gomez Montesa (USF) def. Federico Nani (UNF) 6-2, 6-2
 
Doubles Competition
1. #77 Pierre Luquet/Alberto Barroso-Camp (USF) def. Sahil Deshmukh/Nilo Duarte (UNF) 6-4
2. Federico Nani/Jorge Nunez (UNF) def. Jakub Wojcik/Ivan Yatsuk (USF) 7-6 (7-4)
3. Dominik Barton/Till Von Winning (UNF) def. Chase Ferguson/Sergio Gomez Montesa (USF) 6-2
Order of finish: Doubles (3, 1, 2); Singles (5, 2, 6, 3, 1, 4)

T: 2:45
A: 51
Weather:79 degrees, ESE 15 mph
Official: Stuart Blackwell

Up Next:
UNF and South Alabama go head-to-head 10 a.m. this Saturday back at the UNF Tennis Complex.