WILLIAMSTOWN - Ending an exhausting weekend of NESCAC matches to begin their 2022 spring season, the 12th-ranked Tufts University men's tennis team lost 6-3 at #7 Williams College on Sunday in a close match.
After losing two out of three in doubles to trail 2-1, the Jumbos had wins by freshmen Vuk Vuksanovic in third singles and Derin Acaroglu in #5 singles to tie the team score at 3-3. Vuksanovic defeated Karan Amin from Williams 6-4 and 6-2. Acaroglu toughed out a 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 victory against Michael Medvedev.
Williams gained a 4-3 advanage with a victory by Shawn Berdia in fourth singles 6-0, 6-4. With two matches left on the courts, both went to a third set. The Ephs would earn their clinching fifth victory at #2 where Matt Kandel outlasted Jumbo Rishabh Sharda 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. Williams added to the final margin with a three-set win by Kirun Cheung (6-3, 5-7, 6-3) in sixth singles.
In doubles to start the day, Kandel and Chase Cohen won 8-3 at #1 over Sharda and Josh Belandres. Williams also won at #2 with Berdia and Amin (8-6). Tufts' victory at third doubles was by Isaac Gorelik and Paris Pentousis over Jack Truwit and Medvedev 8-4.
In #1 singles, Williams' Cohen went three sets against Gorelik to win 4-6, 6-1, 6-0.
Today's close loss at Williams followed a competitive 5-4 victory by the Jumeos at Middlebury College on Saturday.
Tufts takes its spring break trip next and plays at Pomona-Pitzer on March 21.
