MIAMI – FGCU claimed the doubles point and three of four singles matches that reached their conclusion in a 4-1 victory over Fordham Thursday as part of The X Invitational held at the Biltmore Tennis Center.
The single-match classic was part of The X Invitational, with the teams getting the opportunity to compete at the esteemed Biltmore Tennis Center. It marked the first time FGCU and Fordham have met on the courts.
"This was a good one for the boys, FGCU head coach
Josh Molino said. "It was a tough day trip to Miami. We were up early and faced a solid program from the A10. We've been able to plug and play, which shows the resilience and depth of this group. Today we got some juice from Mika [Bunjes], Gustav [Hasslegren] and the clinch from our big guy, CJ [Smith]. Now we are looking forward to the next few back home at The Nest."
Florida Gulf Coast (8-9) secured the doubles point with victories on courts one and two. The No. 1 doubles team of
Stefan Correa and
Pablo Paternostro delivered a 6-3 win over Fordham's Dhananjay Athreya and Dhill Virdee-Oakley, while the No. 2 doubles pair of
Mika Bunjes and
Gustav Hasslegren defeated Nicolas Garnier and Filip Horak 6-2. The Rams (4-9) claimed a win at No. 3 doubles, as Mateusz Gradzki and Will Lokier overcame
Stavros Hadjivarnava and
CJ Smith 6-3.
In singles, the Eagles extended their lead with a straight-set victory by Bunjes at No. 3 singles, who defeated Virdee-Oakley 6-3, 6-1. Fordham responded at No. 2 singles, where Lokier bested Hadjivarnava 6-1, 6-3. Florida Gulf Coast added another point at No. 4 singles, as Hasslegren secured a 6-2, 6-1 win over Athreya.
The Green & Blue clinched the match with a win at No. 6 singles when Smith triumphed 6-1, 7-5 over Timotej Stofa. Matches at No. 1 singles, featuring Paternostro against Gradzki, and No. 5 singles, with Correa against Diego Cueto, were left unfinished.
FGCU returns home to begin a four-match homestand beginning Sunday against Bucknell.
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