The top-ranked Virginia men's tennis team faced #28 Baylor in Waco, TX, and things got off to a rocky start. Virginia dropped the doubles point to a Baylor squad that had lost only eight matches at home in the last decade, but the Hoos responded in style by sweeping all six singles matches. The Cavaliers improved their record to 16-0 on the season with the win.
"These guys showed they are competitors," said assistant coach Andres Pedroso. "It doesn't matter the situation, indoors/outdoors, a lot of wind, down a doubles point, or even down a set in singles, they keep fighting. I was proud of that effort. I think this match will help us long term. To be in a position where we lost the doubles point and came out fired up for singles was a great statement."
After dropping that doubles point, Virginia won five of the first six singles sets to take a quick lead in the match. The only match that was relatively close was the final match of the day, at #1 singles. Michael Shabazz, ranked #10 in the country, dropped the first set 1-6 before rallying to win the next two sets easily over #22 John Peers. The other five singles matches were all straight-sets victories, with Virginia dropping 6 games or less in each match. (Full results below the fold.)
The Cavaliers continue their road trip next weekend at # 29 Oklahoma (Friday) and a huge matchup with #3 Texas on Sunday.
#1 Virginia 6, #28 Baylor 1
Doubles
1. #10 Maytin/Peers (BU) def. #2 Shabaz/Courtney (UVa) 8-2
2. Ramirez/Rux (BU) def. Singh/Jenkins (UVa) 9-8(3)
3. Domijan/Rooda (UVa) def. Bley/Grangeiro (BU) 9-7
Singles
1. #10 Michael Shabaz (UVa) def. #22 John Peers (BU) 1-6, 6-3, 6-2
2. #2 Alex Domijan (UVa) def. Sergio Ramirez (BU) 6-2, 6-3
3. #18 Sanam Singh (UVa) def. Dennis Lengsfeld (BU) 6-3, 6-3
4. #31 Jarmere Jenkins (UVa) def. Jordan Rux (BU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Justin Shane (UVa) def. #81 Roberto Maytin (BU) 6-2, 6-3
6. #30 Drew Courtney (UVa) def. #91 Kike Grangeiro (BU) 6-2, 6-3
Order of Finish
Doubles: 1,3,2
Singles: 4,5,2,3,6,1