FLORENCE, SC – Led by junior All-American Richard Ashforth and sophomore Raul Madrid, Francis Marion University won all three doubles matches and the two quick singles contests en route to a 7-2 upset of 33rd-ranked University of Southern Indiana, Wednesday afternoon (March 9) in non-conference men's tennis action.
FMU captures its second win in as many days to improve to 7-5, while the Screaming Eagles fall to 5-3.
The Patriots are in the midst of a 10-match homestand. Both the FMU men's and women's squads will host Peach Belt Conference foe Georgia Southwestern State University on Sunday at 10 a.m.
Ashforth and freshman Philipp Sluga capped the sweep of the doubles matches with a come-from-behind victory at the No.1 position. The duo trailed 7-6, but rallied to win the final three games for a 9-7 decision. Madrid and junior Jannik Roettlingsberger claimed an 8-3 win at the No.2 spot.
As singles play began, Madrid earned a 6-4, 6-2 win at the No.6 position and Ashforth followed with a 6-3, 6-2 victory at No.1 to provided Francis Marion with its needed five points. Ashforth is currently ranked seventh nationally among NCAA Division II singles players and runs his career singles mark to 37-8.
Roettlingsberger and freshman Tarass Thevenaz also contributed wins at singles spots No. 4 and No.5 respectively.
Men's Tennis Match Results
Mar 09, 2016 at Florence, SC (Kassab Courts)
Francis Marion University 7, #33 Southern Indiana 2
Singles competition
1. #7 Richard Ashforth (FMU) def. James Hardiman (USI) 6-3, 6-2
2. Samuel Kiladejo (USI) def. Robin Hoek (FMU) 6-3, 6-4
3. Jack Joyce (USI) def. Philipp Sluga (FMU) 6-3, 4-6, 10-2
4. J. Roettlingsberger (FMU) def. Joel Stern (USI) 6-4, 6-3
5. Tarass Thevenaz (FMU) def. Anthony Van Rompay (USI) 6-2, 4-6, 10-7
6. Raul Madrid (FMU) def. Paul Forichon (USI) 6-4, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Richard Ashforth/Philipp Sluga (FMU) def. Jack Joyce/Aaron Barris (USI) 9-7
2. J. Roettlingsberger/Raul Madrid (FMU) def. James Hardiman/Paul Forichon (USI) 8-3
3. Robin Hoek/Tarass Thevenaz (FMU) def. Joel Stern/Samuel Kiladejo (USI) 8-4
Match Notes: Southern Indiana 5-3; National ranking #33; Regional ranking #4 ; Francis Marion University 7-5
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (1,6,2,5,3,4)
T-3:05 A-25
