CLAREMONT, CA (March 15, 2025) -- The third-ranked Tufts University men's tennis team knockoff off No. 20 University of Redlands 4-3 before topping No. 22 Pomona-Pitzer 6-1 Saturday to start its annual spring break trip out west with a pair of wins.
Match 1: Tufts 4, Redlands 3
The Tufts University men's tennis team continued their undefeated run with a gritty 4-3 victory over #20 University of Redlands at the Verdieck Tennis Center on Saturday. The Jumbos (5-0) showcased their depth and resilience, securing the decisive point in singles after a strong doubles performance.
Tufts came out firing in doubles, taking two of three matches to claim the early advantage. The pairing of
Vuk Vuksanovic and
Javier Gonzalez set the tone with a commanding 6-3 win at No. 1, while
Lachie Macintosh and
Derin Acaroglu battled to a tight 7-5 victory at No. 2, giving the Jumbos a crucial 1-0 lead heading into singles play.
In singles, Tufts displayed their firepower despite a tough setback at the No. 1 spot, where Macintosh was forced to retire. However, the Jumbos responded in dominant fashion, with
Andrej Djokic and
Sacha Maes cruising to straight-set victories at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. Djokic overpowered his opponent 6-1, 6-2, while Maes delivered an identical scoreline in a composed performance.
The Bulldogs clawed back with wins at No. 5 and No. 6, setting up a decisive showdown at No. 2. In a three-set thriller, Acaroglu delivered in the clutch, grinding out a 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 win to seal the match for Tufts.
Match 2: Tufts 6, Pomona-Pitzer 1
n a match defined by strategic execution and depth, the Tufts University men's tennis team continued its dominant start to the season with a 6-1 win over #22 Pomona-Pitzer at the Pauley Tennis Complex. The Jumbos (6-0) controlled key moments in both singles and doubles, showcasing their ability to close out tight sets and capitalize on match-ups.
Tufts gained an early advantage by clinching the doubles point with wins at the top two positions. The pairing of
Javier Gonzalez and
Vuk Vuksanovic edged out a competitive 6-4 victory at No. 1, demonstrating strong net play and well-timed aggression. Meanwhile, the No. 2 duo of
Stavros Mastrogamvrakis and
Nico Tremblay delivered a convincing 6-2 win, dictating play with consistent returns and sharp volleys.
Though the Sagehens salvaged a win at No. 3 doubles, the Jumbos' 2-1 advantage was crucial in setting the stage for singles.
Tufts asserted its superiority in singles, winning five of six matches while displaying versatility across different court conditions.
Javier Gonzalez (No. 2) delivered a commanding 6-2, 6-1 win, while
Lachie Macintosh (No. 3) controlled the baseline in a 6-3, 6-4 victory, applying steady pressure and finishing points efficiently.
Andrej Djokic (No. 4) fought through key momentum swings in a 7-6, 6-4 battle, demonstrating Tufts' ability to perform under pressure. Mastrogamvrakis (No. 5) and
Eren Cheung (No. 6) secured decisive wins, with Cheung rebounding from a second-set lapse to dominate the third, 6-2, 1-6, 6-0. The lone setback came at No. 1, where Vuksanovic fell in a closely contested match, 7-6, 7-5, despite displaying strong shot-making and tactical adjustments throughout.
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Tufts will battle No. 1 CMS Sunday at 4 p.m. in more non-conference play out in California.
--JUMBOS--
