OJAI, Calif. – William Genesen claimed his third clinching point to help pave the way for No. 17 Stanford to earn a 4-1 win over Arizona to open the Pac-12 Tournament Wednesday afternoon.
With the victory, the Cardinal moves its win streak against the Wildcats to nine, dating back to 2009.
"As a team we showed resiliency today," commented Taube Director of Men's Tennis Paul Goldstein. "We are not at our healthiest physically right now however, and we showed character by fighting and playing for one another. Doubles was excellent and though Arizona started singles getting out on top of us early, nobody panicked or batted an eye."
Stanford (15-7) captured the doubles point for a 1-0 lead, fueled by a 6-1 win by Sameer Kumar and Michael Genender at the No. 2 spot for their 10th dual win of the year. Tom Fawcett and Yale Goldberg finished the point with a 6-2 win at No. 1.
The Wildcats (9-17) jumped out on the Cardinal in singles, taking a win at No. 5 to knot it. Stanford remained composed though as Kumar ripped off a straight sets win at the No. 3 spot. Fawcett battled to a win in the tiebreak in the first set before putting away Shoti Meparidze at No. 1 7-6 (0), 6-3.
Genesen came through for the team in the No. 6 position, winning the first set 6-4 that UA's Andres Reyes answered in the second to send it to three where the freshman took a 6-1 win to earn the clincher.
"The team remained poised and battled back into the first sets, which ultimately resulted in a hard-fought win," added Goldstein. "We have the opportunity to be better tomorrow against a hungry Oregon team that beat us recently."
Stanford advances to play No. 21 Oregon tomorrow in the next round of the Pac-12 Tournament. Match time is set for 12 p.m. PT at the Ojai Valley Athletic Club.
No. 17 Stanford 4, Arizona 1
DOUBLES
1) No. 57 Fawcett/Yale Goldberg (STAN) d. Oliver Raskett/Kneale (ARIZ) 6-2
2) Genender/Kumar (STAN) d. Kasahara/Botha (ARIZ) 6-1
3) Sutter/Wilczynski (STAN) led Meparidze/Reyes (ARIZ) 5-2, susp.
Order of Finish: 2, 1
SINGLES
1) No. 11 Tom Fawcett (STAN) d. Shoti Meparidze (ARIZ) 7-6, 6-3
2) David Wilczynski (STAN) led Will Kneale (ARIZ) 0-6, 7-5, 3-0, susp.
3) Sameer Kumar (STAN) d. Trent Botha (ARIZ) 6-2, 6-4
4) No. 112 Michael Genender (STAN) led Shoki Kashakara (ARIZ) 7-6 (4), 2-2, susp.
5) Oliver Plaskeit (ARIZ) d. Brandon Sutter (STAN) 6-4, 6-0
6) William Genesen (STAN) d. Andres Reyes (ARIZ) 6-4, 1-6, 6-1
Order of Finish: 5, 3, 1, 6