ORLANDO, Fla. -- The third-seeded VCU Rams knock off top-seeded Richmond to claim the Atlantic 10 Men's Tennis Championship title on Friday at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla. Daryl Monfils won the three-set match-clinching game at the top spot.
Richmond took the early lead as they clinched the doubles point with victories at the No. 1 and 2 spots. Jacob Dunbar and Alex Felisa quickly shut down their Rams opponent, 6-3 at the top spot putting the Spiders on the board first. VCU quickly answered with a long set at No. 3 as Javier Amantegui and Louis Ishizaka defeated Richmond's James Aronoson and John Karlawish, 7-5. The Spiders clinched the teams double point with a 7-5 victory at No. 2.
In singles action, VCU quickly tied the match as Vitor Lima took a two set decision at the No. 4 spot winning over Karlawish, 6-2, 6-4. The Rams kept the tide rolling as they took another two set victory at No. 2 as Marten Johnsson defeated Felisa 6-1, 6-2.
The Rams did not slow dowing taking the next match point, extending their advantage three points to one, as No. 6 as Amantegui defeated Aronson 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
The Spiders didnt lose hope as they would win the next two matches at No. 5 and No. 3, to tie the team score 3-3. Canyon Teague deated Ignacio Rivero Crespo in two with 7-6 (3) tiebreaker in the first set and taking a 6-3 decision in the second. Not far behind was Caleb Troy, who would use three sets to tie the game for the Spiders. He defeated Arvid Noren 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 at the No. 3 spot.
The attention all came down to the top spot as Monfils and Dunbar would battle it out for the trophy. Monfils took the first set with a tough tiebreaker, 7-6 (4) but would drop the second to Dunbar 3-6. The third set was a back and forth battle, but Monfils would end up victorious taking a 6-4 decision to clinch the match.
This is VCU's second title in five year, since joining the league in 2012-2013.
#3 VCU def. #1 Richmond, 4-3
SINGLES
1. Daryl Monfils (VCU) def. Jacob Dunbar (UR), 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-4
2. Marten Jonsson (VCU) def. Alex Felisa (UR), 6-1, 6-2
3. Caleb Troy (UR) def. Arvid Noren (VCU), 3-6, 7-5, 6-1
4. Vitor Lima (VCU) def. John Karlawish (UR), 6-2, 6-4
5. Canyon Teague (UR) def. Ignacio Rivero Crespo (VCU), 7-6 (3), 6-3
6. Javier Amantegui (VCU) def. James Aronson (UR), 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
Order of Finish: 4, 2, 6, 5, 3, 1
DOUBLES
1. Jacob Dunbar/Alex Felisa (UR) def. Daryl Monfils/Marten Jonsson (VCU), 6-3
2. Jon Quenard/Caleb Troy (UR) def. Vitor Lima/Arvid Noren (VCU), 7-5
3. Javier Amantegui/Louis Ishizaka (VCU) def. James Aronson/John Karlawish (UR), 7-5
Order of Finish: 1, 3, 2