ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd men's tennis team fell to Florida Southern in its season opener, 6-1, Saturday afternoon at the Bullard Courts.
The Moccasins (3-2, 1-0 SSC) beat the Tritons (0-1, 0-1 SSC) after earning the doubles point and winning five of six singles matches.
The Tritons were close to the doubles point, with both the No. 1's and No. 2's draw falling in a tie-break. Batu Ataseven and Esteve Augusti battled but ultimately fell to the pair of Mateo Feggi and Chris Fok Kow 7-6 (7-5). Christian Kearns and Phil Grueninger also came close to a doubles win, falling in tie break 7-6 (7-3) to Florida Southern's Mario Garoz and Ryan Rajakar.
Augusti picked up the lone victory for the Tritons, as he bested FSC's Chris Fok Kow 6-1, 6-1 in two straight sets.
John William Karlstad was the only other Triton to take a set in singles competition as he battled back from a 6-0 shutout in the first set to take set two 6-4. He ultimately fell in the third 10-.
Eric Akasura won five games in the No. 5 position, falling 6-3, 6-2.
The Tritons host Warner (Fla.) at the Bullard Courts on Monday at 3:00 PM.
Singles competition
1. Inaki Braun Simo (FSC-M) def. Batu Ataseven (ECM) 6-3, 6-1
2. Esteve Agusti (ECM) def. Chris Fok Kow (FSC-M) 6-1, 6-1
3. Mario Garoz (FSC-M) def. Christian Kearns (ECM) 6-2, 6-0
4. Elliott Altman (FSC-M) def. Jon William Karlstad (ECM) 6-0, 4-6, 10-5
5. Matteo Feggi (FSC-M) def. Eric Asakura (ECM) 6-3, 6-2
6. John Gidefjord (FSC-M) def. Sam Walker (ECM) 6-1, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Matteo Feggi/Chris Fok Kow (FSC-M) def. Batu Ataseven/Esteve Agusti (ECM) 7-6 (7-5)
2. Mario Garoz/Ryan Rajakar (FSC-M) def. Christian Kearns/Phil Gruenginger (ECM) 7-6 (7-3)
3. Danny Thomas/Inaki Braun Simo (FSC-M) def. Sam Walker/Jon William Karlstad (ECM) 6-4
