Box Score SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The UC Irvine men's tennis team pulled out a 4-3 win over San Francisco Saturday at the Cal Club.
 
"We competed with courage and belief today and that's what won us the match," said head coach Mike Saunders. "Luis (Lopez) played another superb match and raised his level in the must have moments."
 
The duo of Luis Lopez and Daniel Gealer got things started with a 6-2 win in No. 2 doubles, however, USF answered with wins at No. 1 and No. 3 to clinch the doubles point.
 
"The guys were mentally tough as nails today," added Suanders. "They played with determination and belief. Our positivity and unity was evident the entire match and made all the difference. It's inspiring to see our guys come together and play for each other."
 
In singles, the Dons' Giruad won on court five after defeating Gealer, 6-2, 6-3, to go up 2-0. UCI remained relentless, earning wins at No. 6 and 1 singles to tie the match 2-2.
 
Vatsal Bajpai won on court four by a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, to give UCI a 3-2 lead.
 
"Vatsal really showed the girt it takes to win at this level. He was down a set but had a game plan that was working. He stayed composed, competed with grit every point to steal the momentum early in the second and never looked back," added Saunders. "It was a clutch win and awesome to see him step up and win with his heart and mind."
 
In No. 3 singles, Sasha Krasnov had a set point to win the second set and push the match into the third set but lost a marathon tiebreaker, 11-13.
 
Luca Marquard's 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 win in No. 2 singles clinched the match for the 'Eaters.  

"Luca was also clutch. He raised his level in the third set and played with clarity and refused to go away after losing the second set," said Saunders.
 
UCI (2-5) plays Pacific tomorrow at 12:00 p.m.
 
Singles
1. Luis Lopez (UCI) def. Zincirli (SF) 6-4, 7-5
2. Luca Marquard (UCI) def. Joenhagen (SF) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4
3. Poysti (SF) def. Sasha Krasnov (UCI) 6-3, 7-6 (11-13)
4. Vatsal Bajpai (UCI) def. Marker (SF) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
5. Giruad (SF) def. Daniel Gealer (UCI) 6-2, 6-3
6. Bruce Man-Son-Hing (UCI) def. Barreto (SF) 6-2, 6-4
 
Doubles
1. Zincirli/Joenhagen (SF) def. Luca Marquard/Mason Hansen (UCI) 6-2
2. Luis Lopez/Daniel Gealer (UCI) def. Giruad/Poysti (SF) 6-3
3. Marker/Marinelli (SF) def. Vatsal Bajpai/Bruce Man-Son-Hing (UCI) 6-4