GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Samford men's tennis team defeated Furman, 7-0, on Saturday afternoon at the Mickel Tennis Center for back-to-back wins this weekend in conference play.
 
BOX SCORE (PDF)
  
"We did a very good job today from start to finish. We had an excellent start on all singles courts, which made a big difference today," said Head Coach Rahim Esmail. "We were able to do a good job keeping up the momentum. I'm pleased with the way we competed today. Rossouw did a great job gutting out a tough second set. Team effort across the board from everyone today."
 
The Bulldogs used victories at the No. 2 and 3 spots in doubles to secure the early point for Samford. Tomas Santantonio and Eladio Fabregas captured the first win of the day at court three with a 6-3 victory over Ivan Mitric and Benjamin Cahill to improve their record to 9-2. Rossouw Norval and Mohammed Ali Bellalouna followed in the win category, defeating their opponents, Emil Westling and Drew Singerman, by a final decision of 7-6 at court three to move to 7-2 on the season.
 
In singles play, Samford won four of six matches in straight sets, while two other courts saw three-set battles. Rossouw Norval earned his ninth win of the season at the No. 1 spot after grinding out a 6-3, 7-6 victory over Ivan Mitric. On the next court over, Victor Chaw defeated his opponent, Jake Bhangdia, 6-4, 3-6, 1-0, while Eladio Fabregas locked in a 6-2, 6-4 win over Henrik Atlevi at the No. 3 spot for his 12th win this season.
 
Jim Hendrikx improved his overall record to 11-4 after a quick 6-1, 6-4 win on court four over Emil Westling. The Bulldogs didn't stop there as Tomas Santantonio secured a 7-5, 7-5 victory against Drew Singerman at the No. 5 spot, while Mohammed Ali Bellalouna collected the final point of the day at court six with a gritty 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 win over his opponent, James Roelofse.

The Bulldogs will be back at the Samford Tennis Center on Friday, Apr. 9 to face the Chattanooga Mocs. The first serve is set for 2 p.m.

SAMFORD 7, FURMAN 0
Singles Competition
1. Rossouw Norval (SAM) def. Ivan Mitric (FUR) 6-3, 7-6 (13-11)
2. Victor Chaw (SAM) def. Jake Bhangdia (FUR) 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 (10-3)
3. Eladio Fabregas (SAM) def. Henrik Atlevi (FUR) 6-2, 6-4
4. Jim Hendrikx (SAM) def. Emil Westling (FUR) 6-1, 6-4
5. Tomas Santantonio (SAM) def. Drew Singerman (FUR) 7-5, 7-5
6. Mohammed Ali Bellalouna (SAM) def. James Roelofse (FUR) 6-2, 4-6, 6-4
 
Doubles Results
1. Henrik Atlevi/Jake Bhangdia (FUR) def. Victor Chaw/Jim Hendrikx (SAM) 7-6
2. Tomas Santantonio/Eladio Fabregas (SAM) def. Ivan Mitric/Benjamin Cahill (FUR) 6-3
3. Rossouw Norval/Mohammed Ali Bellalouna (SAM) def. Emil Westling/Drew Singerman (FUR) 7-6
 
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