FORT MYERS, Fla. — UTSA dropped a 4-3 heartbreaker to Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday evening at the FGCU Tennis Complex.
The Roadrunners (2-12) took an early lead after grabbing the doubles point in what was their ninth straight road match.
Fabian Brand and Diogo Casa combined for a 6-3 victory at the top spot and after UTSA dropped a 6-3 decision at No 3, Eric Buchalter and Takeru Watanabe teamed up to edge Ezequiel Coerrini and Oliver Landert by a 7-6 (7-4) count on the second court.
The Eagles (10-6) knotted the match at 1-1 when Eduardo Alfonzo swept Christian Carrillo, 6-2, 6-2, at No. 3 singles.
FGCU, which was 75th in last week’s ITA rankings, then took a 2-1 advantage with a 6-2, 7-5 triumph by Cerrini against Buchalter at No. 2.
Casa tied things up when he rallied for a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) decision against Ricky Ventura on center court.
Brand then handed the visitors a 3-2 lead when he took care of Lucaz Vaz with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win at No. 6.
However, the home team rallied for wins at the remaining two singles positions, including a 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 decision by Landert against Joao Riquelme at No. 4 that clinched the match.
The Roadrunners will continue their Spring Break road trip at No. 70 William & Mary (9-3) at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Match 19, in Williamsburg, Va.
Florida Gulf Coast 4, UTSA 2
Doubles
1. Fabian Brand/Diogo Casa (UTSA) def. Lucas Vaz/Ricky Ventura (FGCU) 6-3
2. Eric Buchalter/Takeru Watanabe (UTSA) def. Ezequiel Cerrini/Oliver Landert (FGCU) 7-6 (7-4)
3. Eduardo Alfonzo/Javier Fernandez (FGCU) def. Christian Carrillo/Harley Pearson (UTSA) 6-3
Singles
1. Diogo Casa (UTSA) def. Ricky Ventura (FGCU) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)
2. Ezequiel Cerrini (FGCU) def. Eric Buchalter (UTSA) 6-2, 7-5
3. Eduardo Alfonzo (FGCU) def. Christian Carrillo (UTSA) 6-2, 6-2
4. Oliver Landert (FGCU) def. Joao Riquelme (UTSA) 6-3, 5-7, 6-2
5. Javier Fernandez (FGCU) def. Takeru Watanabe (UTSA) 7-6 (7-4), 6-4
6. Fabian Brand (UTSA) def. Lucas Vaz (FGCU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (3,2,1,6,5,4)