NORMAN, Okla. - Omaha men's tennis dropped its season opener to No. 12 Oklahoma on Sunday afternoon, 6-1, at the Headington Family Tennis Center. The Mavericks are now 0-1 (0-0 Summit League), while the Sooners improve to 2-0 (0-0 Big 12).
Freshman Razvan Grigorescu needed split sets to earn his first collegiate victory against No. 18 Spencer Papa. Grigorescu powered by Papa 6-4 in the opening set before dropping the second 6-3. In the third set tiebreaker, Papa raced out to a 5-4 lead. Grigorescu broke Papa twice to take a 6-5 lead and went on to win the tiebreaker, 10-7.
"Razvan obviously came up with a big win," said Thomas. "I'm very proud of him."
Oklahoma won two doubles matches to earn the doubles point. Andrew Harris and Adrian Chamdani topped Omaha's Matt Dunn and Nathan Reekie at No. 2 doubles, 6-1. The Sooners took the point with a 6-4 win at No. 1 doubles over Razvan Grigorescu and Colin Buckley.
UNO pushed OU in singles but managed only one victory. Louis-Jonas Heizlsperger fell 6-1, 6-1 at No. 6 singles to Arnaud Restifo. Buckley dropped his match at No. 3 singles to nationally rated Florin Bragusi 6-2, 6-0. Reekie battled Jochen Bertsch at No. 4 singles before falling 6-3, 6-1. Alex Woodward pushed Adrian Oetzbach at No. 5 singles before losing 6-2, 6-3. Matt Dunn pushed Alex Ghilea to the limits before being downed 6-1, 7-5.
"I am incredibly happy with the way the guys competed this weekend," said head coach Tyson Thomas. "A match like this gives us a feel for where we are and what we need to work on."
Omaha returns to the courts on Saturday, Jan. 21 against Nebraska. The match will start at noon start at the Dillon Tennis Center in Lincoln, Neb. Links to live stats will be available at OMavs.com.
The Results
#12 Oklahoma 6, Nebraska-Omaha 1
Singles competition
1. Razvan Grigorescu (OMAHA) def. #18 Spencer Papa (OU) 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 (10-7)
2. Alex Ghilea (OU) def. Matt Dunn (OMAHA) 6-1, 7-5
3. #118 Florin Bragusi (OU) def. Colin Buckley (OMAHA) 6-2, 6-0
4. Jochen Bertsch (OU) def. Nathan Reekie (OMAHA) 6-3, 6-1
5. Adrian Oetzbach (OU) def. Alex Woodward (OMAHA) 6-2, 6-3
6. Arnaud Restifo (OU) def. Louis-Jonas Heizlsperger (OMAHA) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Spencer Papa/Alex Ghilea (OU) def. Razvan Grigorescu/Colin Buckley (OMAHA) 6-4
2. Andrew Harris/Adrian Chamdani (OU) def. Matt Dunn/Nathan Reekie (OMAHA) 6-1
3. Adrian Oetzbach/Jochen Bertsch (OU) vs. Alex Woodward/Louis-Jonas Heizlsperger (OMAHA) 5-4, unfinished
Match Notes
Omaha 0-1
Oklahoma 2-0; National ranking #12
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (6,3,4,5,2,1)
Match indoors
