SANTA CLARA, Calif. – With the team score tied at 3-all, Santiago Hinojosa won a three-setter to clinch the match for Santa Clara men's tennis over Saint Mary's on Saturday.

Playing on court six, Hinojosa defeated Felipe Rinco 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2 to thwart the Gaels' comeback bid.

Santa Clara (4-6, 1-3) had built a 3-0 lead winning five of the six first sets but Saint Mary's (4-11, 1-3) clawed back to tie the match at 3-all before Hinojosa preserved the victory for SCU.

The Broncos got off to a strong start winning the first two doubles matches.  Vasileios Iliopoulos and Arthur Neuhaus secured the doubles point with a 6-3 win over James Watt and Boris Reckow.

Neuhaus also won his singles match over Reckow 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) followed by Dominic Barretto's victory over Watt 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 to take the first three team points.

However, the Gaels won the next three singles matches including two that went to three sets before Hinojosa sealed the victory for Santa Clara. 

NEXT UP

The Broncos host Gonzaga and Portland on the April 10-11 weekend.  

Santa Clara 4, Saint Mary's 3
April 3, 2021 at Moraga, Calif. (Korth Tennis Complex)

Singles competition
1. Damon Kesaris (SMC) def. Mann Shah (SCU-M) 3-6, 7-5, 6-4
2. Dominic Barretto (SCU-M) def. James Watt (SMC) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
3. Matis Bot (SMC) def. Guillaume Dalmasso (SCU-M) 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1
4. Arthur Neuhaus (SCU-M) def. Boris Reckow (SMC) 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)
5. Caelan Potts (SMC) def. Vasileios Iliopoulos (SCU-M) 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
6. Santiago Hinojosa (SCU-M) def. Felipe Rincon (SMC) 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Vasileios Iliopoulos/Arthur Neuhaus (SCU-M) def. James Watt/Boris Reckow (SMC) 6-3
2. Damon Kesaris/Fabian Roensdorf (SMC) vs. Dominic Barretto/Guillaume Dalmasso (SCU-M) 5-5, unfinished
3. Mann Shah/Santiago Hinojosa (SCU-M) def. Matis Bot/Caelan Potts (SMC) 6-3

Match Notes
Santa Clara 4-6, 1-3
Saint Mary's 4-11, 1-3
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (4,2,3,5,1,6)