CINCINNATI, Ohio - Defending champion, George Washington, defeated top seed Richmond, 4-1, on Saturday at the Camargo Racquet Club to advance to the finals of the 2015 Atlantic 10 Men's Tennis Championship. This will be the sixth consecutive trip to the finale for the Colonials, who won the crown in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
GW took an early advantage in the match, winning doubles on courts three and two. Cahit Kapukiran and Chris Reynolds first defeated Dylan Trent and Jon Quenard at No. 3 doubles, 8-2, before Julius Tverijonas and Danil Zelenkov took an 8-2 decision over Canyon Teague and James Aronson.
Reigning Rookie of the Year, Jacob Dunbar, took straight sets (6-2, 6-2) against Danil Zelenkov to even the match at 1-1 for the Spiders. Cahit Kapukiran then won his ninth straight match, earning 6-1, 6-2 victory against Hahn at No. 6 singles, giving GW a 2-1 lead.
On court five, Julius Tverijonas won the first set, 6-1 and stormed back in the second set to win, 7-5. The match was clinched on court three when Chris Fletcher defeated Canyon Teague, 6-4, 6-2.
Due to rainy conditions, Saturday's semifinals were held indoors at the Camargo Racquet Club in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Colonials will defend their title against VCU in Sunday's championship final at 11 am at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, weather permitting.
MATCH #9
#4 GEORGE WASHINGTON DEF. #1 RICHMOND, 4-1
SINGLES
1. Francisco Dias (GW) vs. Ethan Dunbar (UR) 6-4, 4-6, 2-1, DNF
2. Jacob Dunbar (UR) def. Danil Zelenkov (GW) 6-2, 6-2
3. Chris Fletcher (GW) def. Canyon Teague (UR) 6-4, 6-2
4. Christos Hadjigeorgiou (GW) vs. Caleb Troy (UR) 7-6(8), 4-1, DNF
5. Julius Tverijonas (GW) def. James Aronson (UR) 6-1, 7-5
6. Cahit Kapukiran (GW) def. Alex Hahn (UR), 6-1, 6-2
Order of Finish: 2, 6, 5, 3
DOUBLES
1. Ethan Dunbar/Jacob Dunbar (UR) vs. Francisco Dias/Chris Fletcher (GW) 5-4, DNF
2. Julius Tverijonas/Danil Zelenkov (GW) def. Canyon Teague/James Aronson (UR), 8-2
3. Cahit Kapukiran/Chris Reynolds (GW) def. Dylan Trent/Jon Quenard (UR) 8-2
Order of Finish: 3, 2
CINCINNATI, Ohio - Second-seeded VCU swept George Mason, 4-0, on Saturday to advance to their third consecutive finals of the Atlantic 10 Men's Tennis Championship. The Rams will face No. 4 George Washington on Sunday at 11 am at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.
The Rams got off to an early start, winning first at No. 1 and then No. 3 doubles, in just over 30 minutes. Joseph Cohen and Daryl Monfils first defeated Jimmy Lange and Joe Hill, 8-2, before Michal Voscek and Louis Ishizaka took an 8-2 decision over Aaron Capitel and Nick Barker.
VCU extended its lead, 2-0, as Catalin Fifea defeated Joe Hill, 6-1, 6-3 at No. 3 singles. Joseph Cohen then helped the Rams go up 3-0, winning on court four, 6-2, 6-2. The match was clinched when Louis Ishizaka defeated Daniel Gutierrez, 6-3, 6-4 at No. 6 singles.
The Rams will play in a third straight championship finale against George Washington. VCU took the title in 2013, while the Colonials will try to defend their 2014 title.
MATCH #10
#2 VCU DEF. #6 GEORGE MASON, 4-0
SINGLES
1. Michal Voscek (VCU) vs. Jimmy Lange (MASON) 6-3, 3-6, DNF
2. Daryl Monfils (VCU) vs. Aaron Capitel (MASON) 6-4, 5-3, DNF
3. Catalin Fifea (VCU) def. Joe Hill (MASON) 6-1, 6-3
4. Joseph Cohen (VCU) def. Tanner Baine (MASON) 6-2, 6-2
5. Wilder Pimentel (VCU) vs. Conor Moran (MASON) 6-2 ,5-3, DNF
6. Louis Ishizaka (VCU) def. Daniel Gutierrez (MASON) 6-3, 6-4
Order of Finish: 3, 4, 6
DOUBLES
1. Joseph Cohen/Daryl Monfils (VCU) def. Jimmy Lange/Joe Hill (MASON) 8-2
2. Catalin Fifea/Wilder Pimentel (VCU) vs. Tanner Baine/Daniel Gutierrez
(MASON) 5-3, DNF
3. Michal Voscek/Louis Ishizaka (VCU) def. Aaron Capitel/Nick Barker (MASON) 8-2
Order of Finish: 1, 3