OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Unlike the matchup 20 days ago, the Flagler men's tennis team took the doubles point from fifth-ranked Saint Leo Saturday during second-day action at the ITA National Indoor Championship.
 
However, No. 14 Flagler wasn't able to build from that momentum as Rodrigo Carvalho was the lone Saint to secure a singles win in the 4-2 loss inside the OKC Center in Oklahoma City.
 
"We won the doubles point, being 1-0 up and winning two really close doubles — one where it looked, we didn't really even have a chance" Director of Tennis and men's head coach Thomas Hipp said. "In the singles, many matches were close, but we were playing a little disappointing at times in 5 and 6. We can definitely do better at those positions and 1 through 4, as well.
 
"Both teams were both equally good. We had more opportunities today. Overall, the tennis is good. It's just that we aren't coming through on the tight matches."
 
Flagler (1-5) will wrap up its stay in Oklahoma City Sunday with a matchup versus the loser of Wingate University and host Midwestern State University.
 
The Saints' thrilling start to Saturday began through the No. 1 doubles pair of Luca Bolla/Jiri Jenicek  as they won 6-2, and then Rasmus Jonsson/Felipe Carvalho used their come-from-behind, 7-6 (9-7), victory to secure the Saints' doubles point. From there, Bolla was knotted in a 50-50 singles match while Jenicek lost a heartbreaker, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), to No. 21 Aurel Ciocanu and Rasmus Jonsson fell in three to No. 45 Ghali Mensour, 2-6, 6-2, 6-1.
 
Rodrigo Carvalho won his No. 2 singles point by besting Nicolas Bacella, 6-1 and 7-5, as Felipe Carvalho and Tommaso Bagon lost in straight-sets in the No. 5 and No. 6 slots, respectively.
 
Singles
1. Alexander Parker (SLM) vs. #47 Luca Bolla (FLG) 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 5-4, unfinished
2. Rodrigo Carvalho (FLG) def. Nicolas Bacella (SLM) 6-1, 7-5
3. #21 Aurel Ciocanu (SLM) def. Jiri Jenicek (FLG) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5)
4. #45 Ghali Mensour (SLM) def. Rasmus Jonsson (FLG) 2-6, 6-2, 6-1
5. Kayne Trustfull (SLM) def. Felipe Carvalho (FLG) 6-1, 6-3
6. Willem Van Den Akker (SLM) def. Tommaso Bagon (FLG) 6-2, 6-2

Doubles
1. Luca Bolla/Jiri Jenicek (FLG) def. Aurel Ciocanu/Willem Van Den Akker (SLM) 6-2
2. Rasmus Jonsson/Felipe Carvalho (FLG) def. Leo Vega/Alexander Parker (SLM) 7-6 (9-7)
3. Ghali Mensour/Nicolas Bacella (SLM) def. Tommaso Bagon/Rodrigo Carvalho (FLG) 7-5

Match Notes:
Flagler 1-4; National ranking #14
Saint Leo 2-1; National ranking #5
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (5,6,2,4,3)
 
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