Razorbacks rally for win over New Mexico

Eugene, Ore. - The No. 51 University of Arkansas men's tennis team downed No. 63 New Mexico 4-3 in thrilling fashion at the UO Student Tennis Center as Victor Hoang sealed the victory by winning a tie break in the third set over New Mexico’s Mads Hegelund. The Razorbacks fought back after initially losing the doubles point to pick up four singles wins to clinch the match. With the win, Arkansas improves to 8-2 on the season.

"What a great collegiate tennis match today," head coach Robert Cox said. "Both teams fought very hard, but I am proud to say after dropping the doubles point that my guys came back with full force and did not let them take four of the six singles, giving us the victory."

Arkansas found themselves in a tight spot early in the match after dropping the doubles point and going down 2-0 after also dropping the first doubles decision. However, it was Mike Nott who gave Arkansas its first point after defeating James Hignett 6-3, 7-5. The win helped Nott continue the season undefeated thus far. After dropping the point at No. 3 singles, the Razorbacks found themselves down 3-1 when Marfred Jeske stepped up with a huge 7-6, 7-6 win over Conor Berg to keep the Razorbacks’ hopes alive at 3-2.

Gregoire Lehman didn’t disappoint the Hogs as he tied things up with a three-set win over New Mexico’s Sam Iftikhar. Lehman nabbed the first set 6-2, but fell 2-6 in the second. Lehmann rebounded to take the final set and the point for Arkansas with a 7-6 third-set win.

It all came down to Hoang at No. 6 singles. With the match tied 3-3 Hoang was able to rally after falling in the first set 6-2 to rebound to take the second set 7-5 and push it to three sets. Hoang won a tie break in the third set 7-6 to complete the Razorback rally, giving the Razorbacks their eighth win on the season.

Arkansas returns home for a three-match home stand beginning with Tulsa on Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m.

Arkansas vs. New Mexico
Official Singles Results
1. Gregoire Lehmann (ARK) def. Samir Iftikhar (NM) 6-2, 2-6, 7-6
2. Marfred Jeske (ARK) def. Conor Berg (NM) 7-6, 7-6
3. Mitch McDaniels (NM) def. Jovan Parlic (ARK) def. 6-3, 7-6
4. Jordan Phillips (NM) def. Mike Ward (ARK) 7-6, 6-1
5. Mike Nott (ARK) def. James Hignett (NM) 6-3, 7-5
6. Victor Hoang (ARK) def. Mads Hegelund (NM) 2-6, 7-5, 7-6

Official Doubles Results
1.  Jeske/Nott (ARK) def. A. Van Der Vyver/C. Berg (NM) 8-5
2. R. Du Toit/J. Hignett (NM) def. Fess/Munoz (ARK) 8-1
3. J. Phillips/M. Hegelund (NM) Parlic/Hoang (ARK) 8-5

For more information regarding Razorback men’s tennis team or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.