By Jean H. Telfort
HEMPSTEAD, NY. – The Pride men’s tennis team whitewashed LaSalle 7-0 Saturday March 15, 2008 at the Hempstead Lake Indoor Tennis Center in West Hempstead, NY. With the victory, Hofstra improved their overall record to 3-5-1 this season.
Pride started strongly with victories in all three doubles matches, played in a pro set format, securing one point going into the singles matches. The emphatic wins in the doubles competition was a sign of things to come.
No. 1 – Luka Djordjevic (HOFSTRA) vs. George Gennaoui (LaSalle) 6-0, 6-1
Djordjevic camped on the baseline, and maintained that court position for the whole 45 minute encounter. He was very aggressive from first strike and held the momentum until the end.
Fifteen minutes into the match, Djordjevic was clearly in the driver’s seat leading 4-0.. Gennaoui was forced to come up with high risk shots at several occasions that landed well beyond the baseline of his opponent.
Djordjevic finished the match with 22 winners, and 10 unforced errors.
No. 2 – Stian Tvedt (HOFSTRA) def. Andrew Petrusky (LaSalle) 6-0, 6-3
Not be outdone, Pride number two Stian Tevdt delivered an inspired performance in securing the victory for Pride against Andrew Petrusky 6-0, 6-3.
“I stayed focused throughout the match,” Tvedt said “Making my returns was crucial because my opponent had a big serve,” he added “I played him in doubles, so my game plan was to return well and take control of the rallies.”
Tvedt’s victory secured the meet for the Pride team with an insurmountable 4-0 lead over LaSalle.
No. 3 – Nenad Radakovic (HOFSTRA) def. Eric Glick (LaSalle) 6-0, 6-2
With the Pride leading 2-0, Nenad Radakovic took to the court against Eric Glick on court number two in the battle of number three pairing.
Another fast start for Pride in the first set as Radakovic steamrolled his opponent in the first set in 12 minutes. He kept his opponent off balance with deep heavy ground strokes a la Andre Agassi.
“The best I have seen him play in a long time, near perfection,” Assistant Coach Sunny Fishkind said of Radakovic performance against Glick.
Radakovic dismantled his opponent in 50 minutes with a final scoreline of 6-0, 6-2. Radakovic’s win gave Pride a 3-0 lead over LaSalle.
No. 4 – Matt Wacks (HOFSTRA) def. Ryan Knarr (LaSalle) 6-4, 6-4
Wacks playing at number four, unlike his teammate, was met with great resistance. Knarr was determined to score one point for LaSalle. Wacks, on the other hand, had a different agenda.
“One of my worst serving matches ever, when it came down to it, I scored the big crucial points,” Wacks said a grin.
In the long end, it came down to will and desire as he secured another win for the Pride team 6-4, 6-4 against a stubborn opponent.
No. 5 – Andy Cha (HOFSTRA) def. Chris Butera (LaSalle) 6-1, 6-3
Leading 15-40 early in the first set on his opponent serve, Cha failed to secure the break for an early lead in the match. He remained focused and held serve to even the score at 1-1. Cha realized a break on his opponent serve. Leading 2-1, he took control of the first and closed it out in style with a volley winner at the net on set point.
Cha rode the momentum into the second set. He capitalized on his opponent errand forehands to take an early lead.
“I played smart tennis in the second set,” Cha said. “I did not go for any crazy shots, I was patient.” He added. Cha won the match 6-1, 6-3 without dropping his serve throughout the match.
No. 6 – Alex Hosner (HOFSTRA) def. Matt Rivera (LaSalle) 6-0, 6-0
More of the same as the dominance continued from the Pride team. A double bagel was handed down to Rivera by Hosner who accounted for two points for the Pride during the meet.
Overall, the team rose to the occasion and delivered stellar performances in crushing LaSalle 7-0 at home.