SAN ANTONIO – Louisiana-Lafayette received a clinching point from Vlad Kramarov at the third singles spot to net a 4-3 victory and spoil UTSA's home opener on Friday at the UTSA Tennis Center.
The Roadrunners (1-4) trailed 3-1 before taking points at the top two singles flights to pull even. Kramarov then rallied from a set down against Gabriel Bugiga to provide the clincher and secure a victory for the Ragin' Cajuns (5-4).
After dropping the doubles point, UTSA fell behind 2-0 following a final at No. 5 singles.
Patrick Poestinger then finished off Pierce Gilheany in straight sets (6-3, 6-4) at the sixth spot to give the Birds a point. However, Elio Lago clinched the fourth singles matchup to increase Louisiana-Lafayette's lead to 3-1.
Juri Reckow posted a 7-5, 6-3 triumph at the top spot to pull the Roadrunners within a point. Kai Breitbach then battled through a three-frame match at No. 2 singles to win his third straight and tie the contest.
Bugiga opened the third flight tilt with a 7-6 win. But, the freshman was unable to hang on to his advantage as Kramarov mustered a 7-6 win in set two and a 6-2 victory to seal the match.
UTSA will return to action on Sunday, as the team is scheduled to travel to Edinburg for an 11 a.m. matchup with UTRGV.
FINAL RESULTS
Louisiana-Lafayette 4, UTSA 3
Doubles
1. Kramarov/Lago (ULL) def. Reckow/Poestinger (UTSA) 6-1
2. Dolan/Gilheany (ULL) def. Ceolin/Gonzalez (UTSA) 6-1
3. Libaud/Fraser (ULL) vs. Bugiga/Breitbach (UTSA) 5-2, unfinished
Singles
1. Juri Reckow (UTSA) def. Jamie Fraser (ULL) 7-5, 6-3
2. Kai Breitbach (UTSA) def. Arthur Libaud (ULL) 6-4, 0-6, 7-6
3. Vlad Kramarov (ULL) def. Gabriel Bugiga (UTSA) 6-7, 7-6, 6-2
4. Elio Lago (ULL) def. Javier Gonzalez (UTSA) 6-2, 7-6
5. Pearse Dolan (ULL) def. Joao Ceolin (UTSA) 6-2, 6-3
6. Patrick Poestinger (UTSA) def. Pierce Gilheany (ULL) 6-3, 6-4
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (5,6,4,1,2,3).
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