SAINT LEO, FL – The Francis Marion University men's tennis team picked up its first win of the season with a 4-3 victory over Georgia College, Saturday evening (Feb. 3) in the consolation match of the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) Collegiate Cup.  Earlier in the day, FMU lost to third-ranked Saint Leo University 4-0.
 
The Patriots (1-1) will play at Newberry College on Thursday at 2 p.m.
 
In the opening round loss to the Lions, Francis Marion forced two singles matches to three sets.
 
In the victory over the Bobcats, Francis Marion took a 1-0 advantage after doubles play.  Junior Martin Barbera and senior Leonel Gonzalez claimed a quick 6-1 win at the No.1 spot, but Georgia College earned a 6-3 decision at the No.3 spot.  The doubles point went to the Patriots when juniors Austin Vienna and Luis Lopez Sarasa came out on top at No.2 doubles by a 7-5 score.
 
The Bobcats knotted the match with a singles victory at the No.4. slot, but freshman Ben Scott gave FMU a 2-1 margin with a 7-6 (10-7), 6-2 win at No.5 singles.  Georgia College won at the No.2 position, but Barbera answered with a 7-5, 7-6 (7-2) win at No.1.  The Bobcats again tied the match, this time at 3-3, with a victory at No.6 singles.
 
Gonzalez earned the clinching point with a 7-5, 6-7 (7-4), 6-2 victory at the No.3 position.
 
 
2/3/2024 at Saint Leo, Fla.  (Saint Leo Tennis Center)
#3 Saint Leo 4, Francis Marion University 0
Singles competition
1. Martin Soukal (SLUM) def. Martin Barbera (FMU) 3-6, 6-0, 6-0
2. Vincent Thiel (SLUM) def. Harri Lloyd-Evans (FMU) 7-6 (0-5), 7-6 (0-5)
3. Ghali Mensour (SLUM) vs. Leonel Gonzalez (FMU) 6-1, 4-6, 5-2, unfinished
4. Nicholas Bacella (SLUM) def. Luis Lopez Sarasa (FMU) 6-2, 6-2
5. Luis Iriarte (SLUM) vs. Ben Scott (FMU) 6-2, unfinished
6. Dylan Andrianaly (SLUM) vs. Alexander Mirkov (FMU) unfinished
Doubles competition
1. Martin Soukal/Luis Iriarte (SLUM) def. Martin Barbera/Leonel Gonzalez (FMU) 6-3
2. Ghali Mensour/Nicholas Bacella (SLUM) vs. Austin Vienna/Luis Lopez Sarasa (FMU) 5-2, unfinished
3. Vincent Thiel/Eduardo Cohen (SLUM) def. Harri Lloyd-Evans/Ben Scott (FMU) 6-1
 
Match Notes:  Francis Marion University 0-1
Saint Leo 1-0; National ranking #3
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (4,1,2)
 
 
2/3/2024 at Saint Leo, Fla.  (Saint Leo Tennis Center)
Francis Marion University 4, Georgia College 3
Singles competition
1. Martin Barbera (FMU) def. Jorge Robinson (GCSU) 7-5, 7-6 (0-3)
2. Luka Sauer Jimenez (GCSU) def. Harri Lloyd-Evans (FMU) 2-6, 6-1, 6-4
3. Leonel Gonzalez (FMU) def. Rodrigo Perez Crespo (GCSU) 7-5, 6-7 (3-0), 6-2
4. Noe Villen (GCSU) def. Luis Lopez Sarasa (FMU) 6-2, 6-2
5. Ben Scott (FMU) def. Braxton Wright (GCSU) 7-6 (0-7), 6-2
6. Sebastian Nunez (GCSU) def. Alexander Mirkov (FMU) 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (0-2)
Doubles competition
1. Martin Barbera/Leonel Gonzalez (FMU) def. Sebastian Nunez/Enzo Sergi (GCSU) 6-1
2. Austin Vienna/Luis Lopez Sarasa (FMU) def. Jorge Robinson/Luka Sauer Jimenez (GCSU) 7-5
3. Noe Villen/Rodrigo Perez Crespo (GCSU) def. Harri Lloyd-Evans/Ben Scott (FMU) 6-3
 
Match Notes:  Francis Marion University 1-1
Georgia College 0-2
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (4,5,2,1,6,3)