Men's Tennis Shuts Out Wichita State

WILMINGTON, N.C. — New Mexico cruised in its opening match in Wilmington, North Carolina, defeating the Wichita State Shockers for the second time this season, this time in a 4-0 shutout.  The Lobos got two wins each by Arda Azkara and Alex Maggs, who teamed for a win in doubles and both won singles matches.

For UNM, the win ended a three-match losing streak that saw UNM lose twice to nationally-ranked foes 4-3 and then at Texas Tech of the Big XII. UNM, which won 4-3 over Wichita State earlier this year in a match that was 4-1 at the clinch, had no real issues on Wednesday morning, other than the match being delayed 90 minutes by weather.

UNM swept the doubles point to get things going.  Azkara and Maggs won 6-3 to clinch the doubles point.  The Lobos also got a win from Georgio Samaha and Nicolas Recoura by a 6-2 score at No. 2 doubles, and Avery Tallakson and Ryoma Matsushita were leading 4-3.

In singles, it was pretty much all UNM as the Lobos got three singles wins for the match.  Maggs, who moved up into the No. 5 slot, won 6-1, 6-2 over Ziwen Ju.  Avery Tallakson played just his second career dual meet match and he moved to 2-0 with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Richey King.  That left the clinching match to Arda Azkara, who won 6-4, 6-3 at No. 1 singles to move to 10-1 on the season.

UNM was leading in two of the other three matches when it ended as both Georgio Samaha and Arthur Bellegy were leading.