BOCA RATON, Fla. – Needing a strong performance during singles play, FGCU men's tennis received just that to come from behind and defeat FAU Friday night, 4-3. The Eagles picked up wins at four of the top five singles positions including a match-clinching win at No. 4 singles from Eduardo Alfonzo to even up their 2016 record at 2-2, while FAU fell to 2-3.

"Today was another great day for us, as it provided more learning opportunities," said head coach CJ Weber. "Eduardo showed so much leadership today, winning both of his matches and winning the clinching point with the match knotted at three. I'm also very happy for Ezequiel as he won his match in a very pressure packed situation. These are invaluable experiences for him early in his career as an Eagle."

With the overall match tied at 3-3, Eduardo Alfonzo (Hollywood, Fla./Barry University) was in the third set against FAU's Zandrix Acob. After claiming the first set 6-2, Acob fought back, forced a third set with with a 7-5 win. Alfonzo bounced back, securing FGCU's second victory of the season with a 6-3 win in the third set.

FGCU faced an uphill battle following doubles play, with Eduardo Alfonzo and Javier Fernandez (Ibiza, Spain/IES CTEIB) earning the lone win for the Green and Blue and No. 3 doubles. The pairing defeated Remi Chancerel and David Engel 6-3.

Andres Alfonzo (Hollywood, Fla./Texas Christian University) and Oliver Landert (Naples, Fla./Florida Virtual School/Florida) dropped a hard-fought match at No. 1 doubles, falling 7-5 to Jaoa Gauer and Gerald Nickerson. At No. 2 doubles, Ricky Ventura (Barcelona, Spain/University of Barcelona) and Lucas Vaz (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Colegio Fleming/Tulsa) lost 6-4 to Alexander Gitin and Anthony Schohn.

Both Andres Alfonzo and Ventura would bounce back in singles, with Alfonzo making quick work of Gitin at No. 1 singles. The junior claimed his first victory at No. 1 singles 6-2, 6-3 to even the match at 1-1. Ventura then claimed a 6-3, 7-5 win at No. 2 singles over Gauer but FAU responded almost immediately at No. 3 singles where Landert fell 6-3, 6-2 to Chancerel.

Ezequiel Cerrini (Sunny Isles Beach, Fla./Homeschool) stepped up for FGCU, claiming the Eagles third singles win of the evening at No. 5 singles. The freshman's first dual match victory of his career came against Schohn (6-4, 7-6 (10-8)) to put the Green and Blue in front 3-2 with two matches still remaining.

Fernandez rebounded from a 6-3 first set loss to force a third set behind a 6-1 second set win. The freshman however could not clinch the win, falling 6-3 in the third. With the match on the line, Eduardo Alfonzo sent FGCU home with a win, behind his third dual win of the season (6-2, 5-7, 6-3).

UP NEXT

FGCU returns home for three-straight matches at the FGCU Tennis Complex. Beginning Feb. 5, the Eagles welcome Bethune-Cookman, Marquette (Feb. 7) and Tennessee Tech (Feb. 12) to Fort Myers.

FGCU Results
Doubles
1) Gauer/Nickerson (FAU) def. A. Alfonzo/Lander (FGCU) 7-5
2) Gitin/Schohn (FAU) def. Ventura/Vaz 6-4
3) E. Alfonzo/Fernandez (FGCU) def. Chancerel/Engel (FAU) 6-3

Singles
1) A. Alfonzo (FGCU) def. Gitin (FAU) 6-2, 6-3
2) Ventura (FGCU) def. Gauer (FAU) 6-3, 7-5
3) Chancerel (FAU) def. Landert (FGCU) 6-2, 6-3
4) E. Alfonzo (FGCU) def. Acob (FAU) 6-2, 5-7, 6-3
5) Cerrini (FGCU) def. Schohn (FAU) 6-4, 7-6 (10-8)
6) Ignacio Jimenez (FAU) def. Fernandez (FGCU) 6-3, 1-6, 6-3

Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2), Singles (1,2,3,6,5,4)

FOLLOW ALONG
 
For complete coverage of FGCU men's tennis follow us on Twitter @FGCU_MTEN and visit www.FGCUAthletics.com where full recaps and results will be available at the end of each day of competition.
 
CJ WEBER
 
FGCU is led by CJ Weber who has coached 16 A-Sun All-Conference selections since joining the Green and Blue in 2011. In his fifth year, Weber has compiled a 49-39 (.557) overall record and a 20-11 (.645) record in A-Sun play. In 2014-15, Weber guided the Eagles to their first-ever Atlantic Sun Championship and first-ever Atlantic Sun Regular Season title after a program-best 17 wins. In his third season, Weber led Jordi Vives to a No. 35 national ranking, a nation-leading 14-match unbeaten streak and the round of 32 in the 2014 NCAA Tournament - the program's first appearance.
 
#FEEDFGCU
 
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.