April 21, 2017

ORLANDO, Fla. (SMU)— The No. 4-Seed SMU men's tennis team fought hard but fell to No. 5-Seed Memphis, 4-2, in the quarterfinals of the 2017 American Athletic Conference tournament Friday morning at the United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Campus in Orlando, Florida.

"I'm extremely proud of the guys for how they played," head coach Carl Neufeld said. "Today was a huge challenge but I thought the guys really stepped up and played their butts off. Tony Russell did an amazing job. He played incredible tennis. Unfortunately, we just fell a little short today but I'm very proud of the guys."

After doubles play, SMU (13-11; 2-3 The American) trailed the Tigers 1-0 at the start of single play. Markus Kerner and Yates Johnson defeated the No. 73 doubles team in the nation, Memphis' Lemke and Watson, 6-4, on Court 1. The Mustangs dropped the remaining two doubles matches despite a close battle on Court 2 where Ronald Slobodchikov and Samm Butler barely lost to Memphis' Rauch and Peniston, 7-6.

In singles play, No. 73 Slobodchikov defeated No. 70 Kyle Peniston in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1, on Court 1. After dropping the first set, 3-6, Tony Russell fought back to beat Memphis' Patzanovsky 6-3 in Set 2 and won the match with a 6-0 win in Set 3. Julio Olaya also fought back to force a third set after dropping Set 1, 7-5, winning Set 2, 7-6. However, Memphis' Felix won Set 3, 6-3, to earn the point for the Tigers.

"I look forward to Nationals and getting everyone back on the court," Neufeld said.

#36 Univ. of Memphis 4, #35 SMU 2
Apr 21, 2017 at Orlando, Fla

Singles competition
1. #73 Ronald Slobodchikov (SMU) def. #70 Ryan Peniston (MEMPHIS) 6-4, 6-1
2. Samm Butler (SMU) vs. #96 Andrew Watson (MEMPHIS) 2-6, 6-4, 3-5, unfinished
3. Kai Lemke (MEMPHIS) def. Markus Kerner (SMU) 6-0, 6-1
4. Tony Russell (SMU) def. Chris Patzanovsky (MEMPHIS) 3-6, 6-3, 6-0
5. Jan Pallares (MEMPHIS) def. Yates Johnson (SMU) 7-6, 6-3
6. Felix Rauch (MEMPHIS) def. Julio Olaya (SMU) 7-5, 6-7, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Markus Kerner/Yates Johnson (SMU) def. #73 Kai Lemke/Andrew Watson (MEMPHIS) 6-4
2. Felix Rauch/Ryan Peniston (MEMPHIS) def. Ronald Slobodchikov/Samm Butler (SMU) 7-6
3. Jan Pallares/Matt Story (MEMPHIS) def. Julio Olaya/Tony Russell (SMU) 6-3

Match Notes
Univ. of Memphis 15-7; 2-2; National ranking #36
SMU 13-11; 2-3; National ranking #35