Mississippi State Advances to Play Virginia

Story Links

May 14, 2004

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Mississippi State captured a 4-2 win over WakeForest in the first round of action at the 2004 NCAA Men’s TennisTournament, held at Virginia’s Snyder Tennis Center on Fridayafternoon.

The Bulldogs now face host and No. 6 seed Virginia in second roundaction on Saturday, May 15 at 1 p.m. at UVa’s Snyder Tennis Center.The event is open to the public.

“It was a tough match,” said MSU head coach Sylvain Guichard. “Itcould have gone either way. We have the same kind of team. We’regetting stronger down the stretch.”

Wake Forest won the doubles’ point as Brett Ross and Derrick Spicewon at the No. 1 spot, 8-5. Todd Paul and Andrew Simpson won at No.3, 8-5.

At No. 1 singles, MSU’s Romain Ambert defeated Spice, 6-0, 7-5.Jos?-Carlos Pinto disposed of Paul, 6-4, 7-6 at the No. 2 spot. Atthe No. 4, Ross captured the Demon Deacons’ only win in singlesaction, 6-2, 6-3. At No. 5, Florent Girod lost the first set beforeclaiming the 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 win. In the decisive match at the No. 6spot, Arnaud Roussel gave MSU the first round victory with a 6-4, 7-6win.

“They’re home and they’re very talented,” Guichard said of facingVirginia next. “It’s going to be a tough outing. We’re going to tryhard.”

The winner of the second round match will advance with the winner ofthe other 15 regionals to the NCAA Championships May 22-25 in Tulsa,Okla.

NCAA FIRST ROUND MEN’s TENNIS RESULTS
Mississippi State 4, Wake Forest 2

Singles
1-Romain Ambert (MSU) def. Derrick Spice 6-0, 7-5
2- Jos?-Carlos Pinto (MSU) def. Todd Paul 6-4, 7-6
3- Luiz Carvalho (MSU) vs. David Loewenthal DNF
4- Brett Ross (WF) def. Max Fomine 6-2, 6-3
5- Florent Girod (MSU) def. Andrew Hamar 2-6, 6-2, 6-2
6- Arnaud Roussel (MSU) def. Andrew Simpson 6-4, 7-6

Doubles
1-Ross/Spice (WF) def. Carvalho/Girod 8-5
2-Ambert/Fomine (MSU) vs. Hamar/Loewenthal DNF
3-Paul/Simpson (WF) def. Provenzano/Roussel 8-5