Mississippi State
Arkansas
Bulldogs Defeat Arkansas On The Road, 5-2
March 11, 2011 | Men's Tennis
The Bulldogs improved to 22-7 all-time against the Hogs and a solid 10-2 when playing at Arkansas. Coach Per Nilsson is now 3-1 in his career against the western division opponent.
For the second time this season Bulldog freshman Malte Stropp clinched the match for the Maroon and White. Stropp defeated Arkansas' Gregoire Lehmann in a three-set battle, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5. Stropp increased his team-leading victory count to 14 and is now 6-2 in dual match play. The victory was also the first conference win of Stropp's young career.
For the first time in five matches the Bulldogs claimed the doubles point and gained the early advantage in the match. Not only did MSU claim the doubles point but State swept the doubles point. On court two, MSU's duo of James Chaudry and George Coupland upset 66th-ranked Mike Ward and Nikolas Zogaj of the Razorbacks, 8-5. State's Louis Cant and Malte Stropp tallied their 10th victory of the season by claiming an 8-5 victory at the No. 1 position over Arkansas' Matt Hogan and Chris Nott. Completing the sweep for the Maroon and White on court three was State's Artem Ilyushin and Zach White who defeated Lehmann and Mike Nott of Arkansas, 8-6.
No. 73 nationally ranked Bulldog junior Louis Cant helped increase MSU's lead to 2-0 with a straight-set takedown over Arkansas' Ward, 6-2, 6-0. The victory was the 45th of Cant's career.
Bulldog sophomore James Chaudry remains perfect in dual match play with an impressive 7-0 dual match record after his 6-2, 6-0, handling of Zogaj of Arkansas at the No. 3 position and gave the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead before Stropp clinched the match for the Maroon and White.
Also in the win column today was State's freshman White, who battled and won in two tiebreakers to clinch a three-set victory at the No. 6 position against the Razorbacks' Walters. 3-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(2).
MSU dropped matches at the No. 1 and No. 2 position where 92nd-ranked Ilyushin of MSU fell in three sets and Coupland dropped a straight-set battle. Ilyushin slipped up 6-7(4), 6-2, 7-5, to C. Nott of Arkansas and Coupland fell 7-6(7), 6-2, to Hogan of the Razorbacks.
"It was a very tough match and the conditions were very difficult," Coach Nilsson said. "We're happy to get out of there with a win and our doubles was much better today."
State will serve up its next match on Sunday to No. 56 LSU at 1 p.m. CT.
#38 Mississippi State 5, #62 Arkansas 2
Fayetteville, Ark. - 3/11/11
DOUBLES
No. 1 - Louis Cant/Malte Stropp (MSU) def. Matt Hogan/Chris Nott (Arkansas) 8-5; No. 2 - James Chaudry/George Coupland (MSU) def. #66 Mike Ward/Nikolas Zogaj (Arkansas) 8-5; No. 3 - Artem Ilyushin/Zach White (MSU) def. Gregoire Lehmann/Mike Nott (Arkansas) 8-6; (Order of Finish: 2,1,3).
SINGLES
No. 1 - C. Nott (Arkansas) def. #92 Ilyushin (MSU) 6-7(4), 6-2, 7-5; No. 2 - Hogan (Arkansas) def. Coupland (MSU) 7-6(7), 6-2; No. 3 - Chaudry (MSU) def. Zogaj (Arkansas) 6-2, 6-0; No. 4 - Stropp (MSU) def. Lehmann (Arkansas) 6-2, 3-6, 7-5; No. 5 - #73 Cant (MSU) def. Ward (Arkansas) 6-2, 6-0; No. 6 - White (MSU) def. Walters (Arkansas) 3-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(2); (Order of Finish: 5,3,2,4,1,6).
Players Mentioned
