Miami found itself in a catfight against the South Alabama Jaguars on Wednesday afternoon at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center. In a thrilling 4-3 contest, ‘Canes freshman Nacho Serra Sanchez sealed the match for the Hurricanes.
Later in the day, the ‘Canes did it all over again against the College of Charleston, sweeping the Cougars 4-0.
Things looked grim for Miami (8-4, 0-2 ACC) early on, as South Alabama (7-5) started off hot on Courts 1 and 3. In surprisingly clinical fashion, the pair of fifth-year senior Juan Martin Jalif and freshman Martin Vergara were defeated on Court 1, 2-6. On Court 3, sophomore Martin Katz and graduate student Leo Bierbaum would also fall, 3-6, giving the Jaguars the doubles point.
On Court 2, fifth-year senior Franco Aubone and graduate student Dan Martin were deadlocked, 3-3, when the other courts finished.
The match got even worse for the ‘Canes in singles as Vergara fell 2-6, 1-6, on Court 4 to increase South Alabama’s lead to 2-0. But No. 44 Martin won on Court 1, 6-3, 6-3, to bring the ‘Canes within one.
Heroically, freshman Antonio Prat shook off his slow start to win convincingly, 3-6, 6-0, 6-1, to bring the ‘Canes level at 2-2 overall.
However, the celebrations were short–lived. This time it was No. 76 Katz on Court 2, who lost 2-6, 5-7, to put South Alabama on the brink of victory.
Knowing there was no more margin for error, the ‘Canes buckled down. On Court 5, Bierbaum battled from behind to force a third set. He was leading in the final set when his opponent retired due to injury. The final score was 5-7, 6-3, 2-1, as the Hurricanes tied it at 3.
It all came down to the true freshman Spaniard on Court 6, Nacho Serra Sanchez. After winning the first set, 6-3, he was bested in the second, 5-7. In the final winner–take–all set, the freshman showed nerves of steel, confidently striding to a 6-2 win for the ‘Canes as the upset bid was snuffed out.
With the adrenaline still pumping, the ‘Canes were forced back onto the courts against the College of Charleston (4-6).
Prat and Martin got a smooth victory on Court 2 in doubles, but things were not as easy on the remaining courts. Both were headed to tiebreaks at 6-6, and it was Katz and Sanchez who pushed the ‘Canes to victory by the razor–thin margin of 7-6 (8-6).
With the advantage secured, Miami did not mess around in singles. Prat started the scoring first on Court 2, as he won comfortably, 6-4, 6-1. Next, Aubone, who didn’t get to play singles in the earlier match, used his freshness to his advantage. He won easily, 6-4, 6-1, on Court 5 to put the ‘Canes within one point.
Katz sealed the deal on Court 3 as he brushed past his opponent, 6-4, 6-2, to give the ‘Canes a clean sweep.
Next up, Miami travels to North Carolina for a pair of matches. The ‘Canes will play NC State in Raleigh on Friday at 5:30 p.m. before facing Wake Forest on Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
