Jan. 29, 2003

In a tennis match that was close as a match could be, the Santa Clara Broncois edged USF 4-3 Wednesday afternoon at the Olympic Club. The Dons took the doubles point, sweeping the three sets, but lost four of six singles matches to drop the decision.

The Dons got a decision at thge number one slot with Joachim Lien taking a 6-1, 6-2 decision over Erich Chen. Santa Clara's Federico Mattioli took two tie-breakers to defeat Jorgen Arnesen 7-6, 7-6 at number two, Francisco Zepponi (SCU) defeated USF's Christian Dyvik 7-6, 6-2, and Taylor Bedilion (SCU) beat Mason Fuller 6-2, 6-0 at #4.

After Rick Ruso topped USF's Axel Elvik in three sets (7-6, 4-6, 6-1) at number five, USF's Romain Van Rillas won in his USF debut 6-2, 6-0.

USF played without one of its top players, Pablo Pires de Almeida, who was ill. USF dropped to 2-3 on the year.

Men's Tennis at the Olympic Club

Santa Clara 4, USF 3

Doubles: Lien/Fuller (USF) d. Bruggemann/Chen (SCU) 9-7; Lippert/Elvik (USF) d. Ruso/Zapponi (SCU) 8-4; Pires de Almeida/Arnesen (USF) d. Bedilion/Mattoli (SCU) 8-3.

Singles: Joachim Lien (USF) d. Erich Chen (SCU) 6-1, 6-2; Federico Mattioli (SCU) d. Jorgen Arnesen (USF) 7-6(5), 7-6 (2); Francisco Zepponi (SCU) d. Christian Dyvik (USF) 7-6(5), 6-2; Taylor Bedilion (SCU) d. Mason Fuller (USF) 6-2, 6-0; Rick Ruso (SCU) d. Alex Elvik (USF) 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-1; Romain Van Rillas (USF) d. Mike Bruggemann (SCU) 6-2, 6-0.