Feb. 1, 2013
Box Score
New York, N.Y. -
New Fordham head men's tennis coach Mickey Brzov didn't have much time to familiarize himself with his new squad as on the day he was officially announced his Rams ventured into Manhattan to take on 45th-ranked Columbia University. Unfortunately, Brzov didn't have his full roster available as the Rams fell to the Lions, 6-1, at the Dick Savitt Center.
The good news for Brzov was the play of sophomore Srikar Alla, who remained perfect this spring with a hard fought win over Ashok Naravana at first singles. Alla dropped the first set, 6-3, but came back to win the second, 7-6. In the tiebreaker, Alla outlasted Naravana, 10-7.
The Rams also had a chance to pick up a point at third singles as newcomer Metty Najfeld dropped the first set to Dragos Ignat, 6-3, but came back to win the second, 6-2. Nejfeld then took Ignat to the limit in the tiebreaker, despite suffering from cramps, before eventually falling, 12-10. Nejfled had set point on his racquet but couldn't follow though due to the cramping.
Fordham dropped the other four singles matches in straight sets with Peder Gram felling to Winston Lin at second singles (6-0, 6-2); Alex DeRienzo losing at the fourth spot to Eric Rubin (6-1, 6-2); Max Peara dropping fifth singles to Max Schnur (6-2, 6-0) and Jan Krouham being upended by Cyril Bucher at the sixth position (6-3, 6-3).
The match opened with the Rams dropping the doubles point, losing all three doubles matches. Alla and Peara fell at first doubles to Narayana and Schnur, 8-3, DeRienzo and Michael Puntillo lost to Lin and Bucher, 8-1, at the second position and Najfeld and Gram were bested by Ignat and Rubin at third doubles, 8-3.
The Rams return to action on Friday, February 8, as they take on FDU at the National Tennis Center on Flushing, N.Y,, at 11:00 a.m.
