Andrienko, Doehler, Lu and Svenning Post Wins

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Yale men's tennis team started the 2015 regular season on a four-match unbeaten run, but this winning streak ended on Sunday as Iowa overcame Yale in a close contest.  Playing at their own Cullman-Heyman Tennis Center, the Bulldogs pushed Iowa, but the Hawkeyes proved too strong in the end, securing a 5-2 victory. 

Entering the match, the Elis were well aware that notching the doubles point would be a tall order, as Iowa's roster features the No. 31 doubles tandem in the country of Matt Hagan and Dominic Patrick.  Hagan and Patrick did their part, defeating Yale's top duo of junior Martin Svenning and freshman Ziqi Wang, 6-4.  While Yale's all-freshman pair of Fedor Andrienko and Stefan Doehler earned a 7-5 win at No. 3 doubles, Iowa clinched the doubles point as Stieg Martins and Lefteris Theodorou narrowly defeated senior Daniel Faierman and sophomore Tyler Lu, 7-5. 

Despite losing the doubles point, the Bulldogs sought to make the most of their opportunities in singles.  Lu caused an upset at No. 1 singles as he bested Hagan, ranked No. 116 nationwide, 6-3, 7-6.  Svenning likewise showed supreme resilience in fending off Martin in three sets, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.  The Elis were unable to claim any more wins, however, as Wang, ranked No. 95, lost a close match at No. 2 singles to Patrick, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. 

Full results from Sunday's match against Iowa can be found below.

Yale will aim to get back on track in two weeks' time at the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championships.  This even, hosted by Columbia, will begin on Feb. 13. 

Report by Robert Batista '15, Yale Sports Publicity