BOX SCORE

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee State Tigers men's tennis team dropped its week-opening match to crosstown rival Belmont, 7-0, Wednesday afternoon at the Currey Tennis Complex. 

The blue and white had a rough adjustment as they stepped back into Ohio Valley Conference compeition after playing host to Bethel-TN Sunday. 

The Bruins began the afternoon on a high note as they clinched doubles play at positions one and three. Graduating senior Shashank Nautiyal and his partner Tanishq Mahendru were up 4-2 on Belmont before the Bruins clinched the match, leaving play on court two unfinished. 

Althought TSU put up a good fight, the Bruins swept singles in straight sets. 

The Tiger men drop to 10-10 overall, 0-3 OVC, while the Bruins improve to 11-10 overall, 4-0 OVC. 

Big Blue continues play Friday at noon, when it will host conference leader Tennessee Tech at the Currey Tennis Complex. 

TENNESSEE STATE 0, Belmont 7

Singles 

1. Hendrik Inno (BELM) def. KORUGA, Stefan (TSUM) 7-5, 6-2
2. Marko Ilic (BELM) def. NAUTIYAL, Shashank (TSUM) 6-0, 6-2
3. Vincent Sterkens (BELM) def. SLOAN, Larry (TSUM) 6-1, 6-3
4. Zak Khan (BELM) def. POPOVIC, Pavle (TSUM) 6-3, 6-2
5. Stephen Goldman (BELM) def. MAHENDRU, Tanishq (TSUM) 7-5, 6-3
6. David Faulkner (BELM) def. RICHARDSON, Kato (TSUM) 6-0, 6-2

Doubles

1. Hendrik Inno/Marko Ilic (BELM) def. KORUGA, Stefan/POPOVIC, Pavle (TSUM) 6-1
2. NAUTIYAL, Shashank/MAHENDRU, Tanishq (TSUM) vs. Stephen Goldman/Zak Khan (BELM) 4-2, unfinished
3. Vincent Sterkens/David Faulkner (BELM) def. SLOAN, Larry/RICHARDSON, Kato (TSUM) 6-2

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

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