Jan. 20, 2012
TULSA, Okla.- Forced to open its season without the services of two-time All-American Bradley Klahn, No. 6 Stanford defeated No. 23 Tulsa 4-3 on Friday afternoon thanks to a clutch performance at the top of the lineup.
Playing just his second career match at the No. 1 spot of the lineup and first since 2010, Ryan Thacher rallied for a 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Japie De Klerk and propel Stanford to a thrilling win in the season opener for both teams.
With the match tied at 3-3 and split sets on his court, Thacher stormed back to claim the pivotal third set as Stanford improved to 1-0.
Matt Kandath notched a 6-1, 6-1 win at the No. 2 position, while freshmen John Morrissey and Robert Stineman were victorious in their dual match debuts.
Klahn is unavailable for the first few weeks due to an injury.
Tulsa grabbed a 1-0 lead after winning the doubles point, sweeping all three courts.
No. 6 Stanford 4, No. 23 Tulsa 3
DOUBLES
1) No. 3 Ashley Watling/Clifford Marsland (TLS) d. Ryan Thacher/John Morrissey (STAN) 9-8 (7-5)
2) No. 37 Grant Ive/Tristan Jackson (TLS) d. Denis Lin/Walker Kehrer (STAN) 9-7
3) Japie De Klerk/Lucian Gheorghe (TLS) d. Matt Kandath/Robert Stineman (STAN) 8-5
Order of Finish: 2, 3, 1
SINGLES
1) No. 37 Ryan Thacher (STAN) d. Japie De Klerk (TLS) 6-7 (1-7), 6-3, 6-4
2) No. 75 Matt Kandath (STAN) d. Clifford Marsland (TLS) 6-1, 6-1
3) No. 83 Ashley Watling (TLS) d. Denis Lin (STAN) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
4) John Morrissey (STAN) d. Tristan Jackson (TLS) 6-2, 6-7 (1-7), 6-3
5) Robert Stineman (STAN) d. Alejandro Sanchez (TLS) 7-5, 6-2
6) Lucian Gheorghe (TLS) d. Daniel Ho (STAN) 6-2, 6-3
Order of Finish: 2, 6, 5, 3, 4, 1