Box Score

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee State men's tennis team opened its season with a competitive match against Arkansas on Sunday, pushing the Razorbacks to the limit in doubles before falling in singles play 4-0. 

The doubles point came down to a tiebreaker at the No. 1 spot, where Arkansas edged out the Tigers 8-6 to claim the early advantage. TSU showed resilience in doubles, with Jonasz Dziopak and Adler Germinal securing a 6-2 win at No. 2, while Arkansas's Arthur Bellegy and Abdel Memes earned a 6-3 victory at No. 3.

In singles action, TSU's top flight, Dziopak, had Bozo Barun on the ropes at No. 1, leading 4-3 in the third set when the match was called after Arkansas secured victories at lines 2, 4, and 6 to clinch the overall win.

Match Results

Singles

1. Jonasz Dziopak (TSU) led Bozo Barun (ARK) 4-6, 6-4, 4-3 (unfinished)

2. Lukas Palovic (ARK) def. Taj Hibbert (TSU) 4-6, 7-5, 6-1

3. Arthur Bellegy (ARK) led Rohan Loubser (TSU) 6-2, 2-2 (unfinished)

4. Jean-Baptiste Bacon (ARK) def. Adler Germinal (TSU) 6-1, 6-2

5. Connor Smillie (ARK) led Nicholas Adamec (TSU) 6-1, 0-1 (unfinished)

6. Brendan Noland (ARK) def. Alex Adamec (TSU) 6-4, 6-2

Order of finish: 4, 6, 2
 

Doubles

1. Smillie/Jakic (ARK) def. Hibbert/Loubser (TSU) 7-6 (8-6)

2. Dziopak/Germinal (TSU) def. Boland/Bacon (ARK) 6-2

3. Memes/Bellegy (ARK) def. N. Adamec/Mutetwa (TSU) 6-3

Order of finish: 2, 3, 1