The New Orleans Privateers men’s tennis team lost 5-2 to the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Cardinals on Mar. 23 at the Privateer Tennis Center, despite an early lead from winning the doubles point.
The match began positively for New Orleans as Beltran Fernandez and Carlos Melgosa secured a close 7-5 win in flight two doubles, clinching the opening point. Gonzalo Cotter and Jacob Rouleau-Mailly also contributed with a 6-4 victory in flight one doubles.
However, UIW gained momentum during singles play by taking five matches. Emilio Vila achieved a straight-set win with scores of 6-4, 6-0 after breaking serve in the first set. Ian Uraga followed with another straight-set victory at 6-3, 6-4 for UIW.
Augustin Salazar came back from behind in his first set and won his singles match for UIW with a double break in the second set, finishing at 7-5, 6-2. Of three matches that went to three sets, only Melgosa was able to secure a win for New Orleans after defeating Marcel Miralles with scores of 6-1, 4-6, and 6-3.
UIW’s Santiago Flyckt won his three-set match against New Orleans by scores of 7-5, 1-6, and 6-1. Alejandro Hernandez also rallied from behind to defeat his opponent with final scores of 4-6, 6-3, and 6-1.
Looking ahead, the Privateers will face UTRGV on Apr. 4 at 2 p.m.
