CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In the final road match of the regular season, the Old Dominion men's tennis team won four of six singles matches to complete the comeback over Charlotte by a 4-3 score on Thursday afternoon at the Halton-Wagner Tennis Complex. The Monarchs have claimed victory in six of their last seven matches, as well as 10 of their last 13 matches.
"This was one of those matches neither team deserved to lose," said ODU head coach Dominik Mueller. "Both teams gave it their all and both guys at the end played a high level last set and went for it. I'm so happy for Francois to be on the winning side. I think this will prepare us for next week on the same courts."
ODU (10-8) picked up a doubles win from Tomislav Podvinski and Pearse Dolan; however Charlotte (11-10) claimed victories on courts one and two to secure the doubles point and take an early 1-0 lead.
Younes Lalami trimmed ODU's deficit to 2-1 after a 6-3, 6-1 singles win. Dolan pulled the Monarchs within one again, 3-2, after a 6-2, 6-2 victory. Nicola Vidal tied the match at 3-3 with a 7-6, 7-6 straight set win, before Francois Le Tallec sealed the deal for the Monarchs with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (7-5) victory.
In their last six matches, the Monarchs have outscored their opponents 30-12.
Old Dominion will return to action on Sunday, April 18, when the Monarchs welcome VCU to the Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center for the regular season finale at 11 a.m. All ODU tennis matches are closed to the general public due to COVID-19 restrictions. Sunday will mark Senior Day for Jannik Giesse, Tomislav Podvinski and Pearse Dolan, who will be honored prior to the match.
Tennis Match Results
Old Dominion vs Charlotte
4-15-2021 at Charlotte, N.C.
(Halton-Wagner Tennis Complex)
Old Dominion 4, Charlotte 3
Singles competition
1. Henry Lieberman (CLT) def. Tomislav Podvinski (ODU) 6-0, 6-4
2. #103 Ignasi de Rueda (CLT) def. Luca Maldoner (ODU) 6-3, 6-1
3. Nicola Vidal (ODU) def. Ben Wayand (CLT) 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-2)
4. Francois Le Tallec (ODU) def. Stefanos Savva (CLT) 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (7-5)
5. Younes Lalami (ODU) def. Leo Menezes (CLT) 6-3, 6-1
6. Pearse Dolan (ODU) def. Vanja Dobrnjac (CLT) 6-2, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Henry Lieberman/Leo Menezes (CLT) def. #52 Luca Maldoner/Nicola Vidal (ODU) 6-4
2. Ignasi de Rueda/Ben Wayand (CLT) def. Francois Le Tallec/Younes Lalami (ODU) 7-6 (7-5)
3. Tomislav Podvinski/Pearse Dolan (ODU) def. Stefanos Savva/Vanja Dobrnjac (CLT) 6-2
Match Notes:
Old Dominion 10-8
Charlotte 11-10
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (1,5,2,6,3,4)
Tennis Monarchs Outlast Charlotte in the Queen City, 4-3
