TUCSON, Ariz.--- The Wildcats picked up their second win over their last three matches, as Arizona cruised to a 5-2 victory over UC Riverside, Saturday afternoon at the Tucson Country Club.
The Wildcats (2-5) set the tone early in this one, as they earned their first doubles point of the season in dramatic fashion. After UA fell on court one, Matt Dunn and Jason Jaruvang took home a victory on court three, defeating Luis Gastao and Sean Robles 6-4.
Moments later, Naoki Takeda and Shoki Kasahara squeaked by UCR's tandem of Calvin Ngo and Michael Carella on court two, 6-4, to secure the doubles point for Arizona.
The Wildcats kept up their dominance in singles play, as freshman Jason Jaruvang made quick work of Sina Sharifi on court three, cruising to a 6-1, 6-0 victory to spot Arizona a 2-0 advantage.
Takeda then followed suit on court two, as he notched a straight-set, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Luis Gastao to claim his team-leading 12th win of the season, while more importantly putting Arizona on the brink of victory, up 3-0.
Senior Sumeet Shinde held down the No. 1 position for the Cats, as he blew by Julain Ruffin to earn the 6-1, 6-4 victory and clinch the overall dual match win for Arizona.
With the contest already in hand, David Mushayev was able to put the exclamation point on what already was a fantastic day for Arizona, as he grinded out a 5-7, 6-4, 10-6 come-from-behind win over Calvin Ngo from the No. 4 spot to put an end to the match.
Arizona now aims for its third victory in its last four matches, as it will continue its season-long 13-match homestand with San Francisco, Friday at noon out at the LaNelle Robson Tennis Center.
Arizona 5 (2-5), UC Riverside 2 (0-3) 2
SINGLES
1. Sumeet Shinde (UA) def. Julian Ruffin (UCR) 6-1, 6-4
2. Naoki Takeda (UA) def. Luis Gastao (UCR) 6-1, 6-2
3. Jason Jaruvang (UA) def. Sina Sharifi (UCR) 6-1, 6-0
4. David Mushayev (UA) def. Calvin Ngo (UCR) 5-7, 6-4, 10-6
5. Michael Carella (UCR) def. Shoki Kasahara (UA) 7-6, 6-3
6. Hans Baumstark (UCR) def. Jose Zamorano (UA) 6-3, 7-5
Order of Finish: 3,2,1*,6,5,4
*Clinching point
DOUBLES
1. Vizcarra/Sharifi (UCR) def. Shinde/Mushayev (UA) 6-1
2. Takeda/Kasahara (UA) def. Ngo/Carella (UCR) 6-4
3. Dunn/ Jaruvang (UA) def. Gastao/Robles (UCR) 6-4
Order of Finish: 1,3,2
ARIZONA POSTMATCH QUOTES
Head Coach- Tad Berkowitz
"We had a slower start in doubles than I would have liked. The older guys in doubles though stepped up. The freshmen though were a little flat, so it was interesting to see who responded today. We just have to make sure that every single week we, collectively, are playing with the intensity that I know we are capable of doing."
Senior Sumeet Shinde
"Personally, it was the worst start for me in four years in doubles. In singles though I was more pumped and used my energy and anger from doubles to do well in singles play. It was definitely all in our heads though. We need to do a better job of being ready to play from the start.”
