Feb. 27, 2010
PRINCETON, N.J. -- No. 44 Northwestern (7-3) lost the opening doubles point but rebounded to win five of six singles matches en route to a 5-2 victory over No. 75 Princeton Saturday in New Jersey. The 'Cats' singles conquests included two three-setters and a very tight 7-6, 7-6 victory by sophomore Joshua Graves over Charlie Brosens at the No. 1 position.
Although sophomore Tobias Reitz and freshman Spencer Wolf were able to secure an 8-2 victory on the No. 2 doubles court, Princeton marched out to an early 1-0 match lead. Graves and senior Alex Sanborn were unable to best their Ivy League rivals at No. 1 singles, falling 8-5. Junior Andrew McCarthy returned to action for the first time in almost three weeks, but fell along with freshman partner Sidarth Balaji at No. 3 doubles, 8-5.
But the Wildcats answered back, continuing their excellence on the singles court. Sanborn and freshman Mark Schanerman controlled the action on their courts from the onset. Both posted impressive 6-4, 6-2 victories at No. 4 and No. 5 singles, respectively, and extended their winning streak in solo play to three matches.
Wolf won at No. 3 singles in dramatic fashion once again with a 6-4, 6-7, 1-0 (10-6) decision over Princeton's Matt Spindler. That victory is Wolf's third in a row as well, and seventh overall in singles play. His seven wins present the most by anyone on Northwestern's roster this season.
Reitz rounded out the stellar play, returning to the singles court to defeat Princeton's Ravi Yegya-Raman. After taking the first set 6-4, things were in doubt for the Wildcat as Yegya-Raman responded with a 6-2 victory in the second set. But Reitz answered with a 6-2 score of his own in set number three, earning his second singles win of the year.
Northwestern is now 7-3 on the season, while Princeton moves to 2-4. The 'Cats will take to the courts of the Combe Tennis Center once again this Saturday, March 6, when they put their three match win streak to the test against Illinois. The in-state matchup to open the Big Ten season is set to start at 6 p.m.
No. 44 Northwestern 5, No. 75 Princeton 2
Singles
1. Joshua Graves (N) def. Charlie Brosens (P), 7-6, 7-6
2. Matt Siow (P) def. Sidarth Balaji (N), 3-6, 7-6, 6-2
3. Spencer Wolf (N) def. Matt Spindler (P), 6-4, 6-7, 1-0 (10-6)
4. Alex Sanborn (N) def. Yohei Shoji (P), 6-4, 6-2
5. Mark Schanerman (N) def. Coleman Crutchfield (P), 6-4, 6-2
6. Tobias Reitz (N) def. Ravi Yegya-Raman (P), 6-4, 2-6, 6-2
Doubles
1. Shoji/Siow (P) def. Graves/Sanborn (N), 8-5
2. Rietz/Wolf (N) def. Crutchfield/Alex Faust (P), 8-2
3. Michael Lin/Spinder (P) def. Andrew McCarthy/Balaji (N), 8-5