STANFORD, Calif. - Despite losing the doubles point, No. 6 Stanford bounced back in singles to defeat No. 40 California 4-2 on Sunday afternoon at Taube Family Tennis Stadium.
The Cardinal (9-2) won the first of two meetings this season against the Golden Bears (2-4) and remained unbeaten in six home matches.
Stanford fell behind 1-0 after a hard-fought doubles point as California grabbed the early lead with a 7-6 (5) victory at the No. 2 spot. It was the second time this season the Cardinal had dropped the doubles point but rallied to win the match, also accomplishing the feat in a 4-3 win at USC on Feb. 8.
The Cardinal stormed back in singles, ripping off three straight victories to take a 3-1 advantage. Axel Geller, William Genesen and Michael Genender all posted convincing straight-set wins, setting up Sameer Kumar for the 6-2, 6-4 clincher on court three.
Stanford next shifts its focus to individual play, competing at the Pacific Coast Doubles Championships from Feb. 28-March 3.
No. 6 Stanford 4, No. 40 California 2
DOUBLES
1) No. 13 Brumm/Kikuchi (CAL) d. Kumar/Sah (STAN) 6-3
2) No. 31 Paul Barretto/Can Kaya (CAL) d. Geller/Genender (STAN) 7-6 (5)
3) Jack Barber/Genesen (STAN) d. No. 42 Molloy/Mert Zincirli (CAL) 7-5
Order of Finish: 1, 3, 2
SINGLES
1) No. 13 Axel Geller (STAN) d. Jacob Brumm (CAL) 6-1, 6-0
2) No. 60 William Genesen (STAN) d. Paul Barretto (CAL) 6-0, 6-3
3) No. 31 Sameer Kumar (STAN) d. Yuta Kikuchi (CAL) 6-2, 6-4
4) Jack Malloy (CAL) d. Timothy Sah (STAN) 6-4, 6-4
5) Michael Genender (STAN) d. Bjorn Hoffman (CAL) 6-1, 6-3
6) Jack Barber (STAN) led Ben Draper (CAL) 6-3, 4-5, unfinished
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 5, 4, 3