Syracuse tennis trounces Buffalo in 7-0 win
SU tennis trounces Buffalo in 7-0 win
In the last game before conference play, the Syracuse (6-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) squad continued their winning morale on Monday’s match against Buffalo (6-2, 0-0 Mid-American Conference) at Drumlin Country Club, defeating the Bulls 7-0 and marching for the ACC schedules with a six-game win streak.
SU’s No.1 pair Zeynep Erman and Shiori Ito clashed with Buffalo’s Deanne Choo and Azra Deniz Comlek. The Orange duo dominated the whole set with strong rallies in a 6-1 win. Ito showed her versatility and agility at the front and in the back, giving net plays and rallies with full strength to force Bulls errors.
Miyuka Kimoto and Polina Kozyreva also took down Ambre Amat and Pia Schwarz with similar ease, setting the tone of the doubles 6-3 and securing the first point for the doubles section. Instead of fast-responsive net plays, Kimoto played wisely by making high balls beyond the opponents’ heads, and the ball landed on the boxes.
The most neck-and-neck and suspenseful doubles game came in the showdown between Syracuse’s No.3 doubles pair Viktoriya Kanapatskaya and Ines Fonte and Buffalo’s Gabriella Akopyan and Basak Akbas. Kanapatskaya and Fonte notched the first three games, and Buffalo’s pair gradually took advantage of long rallies and earned three games back. Fonte finally ceased the fire from the Bulls with consecutive net plays and aces to determine the set.
“They (Akopyan and Akbas) played a little bit more aggressively than us,” SU head coach Younes Limam said. “I’m glad to see them just not panic and find a way to get the win.”
Turning to the singles, Syracuse’s Fonte continued her positive state from doubles and set the pace on the first set against Deanne Choo with multiple net plays in 6-2 and 6-3 victories. Kanapatskaya took over the first set 6-1 against Comlek and won the second set narrowly after reversing her backward situation from 2-3 to 6-4. No. 4 singles Kozyreva aggressively took down Akopyan 6-4 and 6-2.
In the singles against Amat, Ito was forced to game seven in the first set, but she survived by a 7-5 edge-out. Later, Ito found her rhythm and helped Syracuse gain a singles point.
“(Ito’s) single was great,” Limam said. “I watched her last couple of games and love how she plays on her turns, very aggressive tennis. She didn’t give any chance to her opponent.”
No. 2 Erman struggled for a while against Akbas, losing two games temporarily in the first set. She subsequently set up her pace by consistently attacking the ball to the corners, sweeping Akbas in 6-3 and 6-3.
Kimoto, who didn’t play singles in the last road match against Drexel, returned to the No. 1 position when the singles lineup was updated. She played toughly in this high-energy game with three sets, transcending Schwartz 3-6, 6-4 and 6-4.
Kimoto overcame her unforced errors and the problem that she couldn’t get the ball over the net in the first set, showing a desire to fight back in winning long rallies and persistent moving.
“Miyuka (Kimoto) showed a lot of maturity compared to her last year,” Limam said. “She’s playing consistently, and she never goes away, (which is) really positive for us.”
For the ACC schedule ahead, Limam said he hopes the team can keep fast-paced playing and setting tones on the game earlier. Syracuse is scheduled to visit Boston College (7-1) for its first ACC game Saturday at 5 p.m.
is a contributor for The NewsHouse.
