MACON, Ga.  – The Samford men's tennis team extended its conference win streak with a commanding 6-1 victory over the Mercer Bears on Saturday afternoon at the LeRoy Peddy Tennis Center.
 
BOX SCORE (PDF)
 
"Mercer is a tough team. They compete hard and we had to earn it today. It wasn't our best tennis today, but we found ways to win and that is important. Victor did a great job of taking care of business today and getting us a quick second point," said Head Coach Rahim Esmail.
 
Beginning with doubles play, Tomas Santantonio and Eladio Fabregas captured the first win for the Bulldogs with a 6-2 victory on court two over Mercer's Carver Arant and David Georgadze. The early point would then come for Samford at the No. 3 spot after Rossouw Norval and Mohammed Ali Bellalouna defeated Danny Flynn and Michael Durham by a 6-4 final decision. No. 33 Victor Chaw and Jim Hendrikx wrapped up doubles competition on the top court with a 6-4 victory over Hugo Lobo and Lucas Wayenburg.
 
Heading into singles with a 1-0 lead, Victor Chaw was the first to finish with a 6-1, 6-1 win on court two, followed by another straight-set, 6-3, 6-3, victory from Eladio Fabregas on the next court over. Hugo Lobo recorded a 7-6, 6-2 win over Rossouw Norval at the No. 1 spot, but the Bulldogs continued to push offensively with Jim Hendrikx making it a 4-1 match with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory over Michael Durham on court four.
 
After falling short in the first set, Tomas Santantonio pulled away with a three-set, 2-6, 6-0, 6-3, win over Michael Durham at the No. 5 spot. The final win for Samford wold come from the No. 6 spot after Mohammed Ali Bellalouna also battled back from a first set loss for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Danny Flynn to close out singles.

The Samford men's tennis team will head to Johnson City, Tennessee for its final match of the regular season against ETSU on Sunday, Apr. 18 at 12 p.m. at the Dave Mullins Tennis Complex. Both teams will enter the match undefeated and the winner will receive the SoCon Regular Season title. 

SAMFORD 6, MERCER 1
Singles Competition
1. Hugo Lobo (MER) def. Rossouw Norval (SAM) 7-6, 6-2
2. Victor Chaw (SAM) def. Lucas Wayenburg (MER) 6-1, 6-1
3. Eladio Fabregas (SAM) def. Carver Arant (MER) 6-3, 6-3
4. Jim Hendrikx (SAM) def. David Georgadze (MER) 2-6, 6-3, 6-1
5. Tomas Santantonio (SAM) def. Michael Durham (MER) 2-6, 6-0, 6-3
6. Mohammed Ali Bellalouna (SAM) def. Danny Flynn (MER) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3

Doubles Results
1. #33 Victor Chaw / Jim Hendrikx (SAM) def. Hugo Lobo / Lucas Wayenburg (MER) 6-4
2. Tomas Santantonio / Eladio Fabregas (SAM) def. Carver Arant / David Georgadze (MER) 6-2
3. Rossouw Norval / Mohammed Ali Bellalouna (SAM) def. Danny Flynn / Michael Durham (MER) 6-4
 
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