Box Score

ATHERTON, CA – Returning to Wunderlich Courts for a much different match that the day prior, Menlo Men's Tennis outlasted Fresno Pacific 4-3 thanks to a come-from-behind rally led by singles triumphs for senior Robinson Pelluault to tie and junior Robin McAlpine for the clincher.

Three-Set Thrillers Lead Comeback
Though the Sunbirds claimed the opening doubles point, a strong showing came from senior Asger Emil Ildor and graduate student Ian Ramiro Perez, ranked No. 9 in the West Region, versus Cedric Kaufmann and Joaquin Salinas Beltran, ranked No. 24 nationally. The matchup was left unfinished with FPU just up 5-4 when the doubles point had been secured.

In singles action, Asger Emil Ildor quickly equalized the score with his 6-0, 6-2 win over Emilio Seelbach on Court 2, but FPU threatened with their own victories on Courts 3 and 4. An important decision came on Court 5 where sophomore Tijl Forger took down Felix Devallius 6-2, 6-3, keeping Menlo alive for the long battles still being waged.

Pelluault avenged a loss in the opening set by confidently pushing past Salinas Beltran 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 with impressive net play down the stretch on Court 6. Alongside his teammate as the action narrowed with the score knotted at 3-3, McAlpine continued to go back and forth with Kaufmann before finally finishing off his 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 win with a winner on a net approach, soon embracing his onrushing teammates in celebration.

Up Next
As the Oaks hit the midpoint of four matches in the first five days of the season, NCAA Division I Santa Clara is up next on Feb. 8 at 2:30 p.m. inside Degheri Tennis Center.