News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – The 16-seeded Texas A&M men’s tennis team is headed to the NCAA Sweet 16 after a nail-biting 4-3 win over Baylor at the Mitchell Tennis Center on Sunday.
With all eyes on court 1 and a spot in the Super Regional on the line, freshman sensation Theo Papamalamis prevailed to clinch the victory. After splitting the first two sets, the freshman came out with a dominating 6-1 third against No. 33 Devin Badenhorst.
“The atmosphere was unbelievable,” Papamalamis said. “I tried to stay focused and not pay attention to what was going on around me. When the whole team is cheering for you, it’s a good feeling.”
Texas A&M (18-10) opened in an advantage against Baylor (23-11) after earning the doubles point. The No. 4 duo of Papamalamis and junior Togan Tokac made quick work of Oskar Brostrom Poulsen and Marko Miladinovic on court 1, 6-1. Senior Alan Magadan and sophomore Tiago Pires secured the point for the Aggies after an upset victory over No. 64 Devin Badenhorst and Luc Koening, 6-3.
Senior Damien Salvestre continued his weekend momentum, striking first in singles after a straight-set victory on court 6 over Marko Miladinovic, 6-2, 6-4, to put the Aggies up 2-0. The Bears put up a fight, claiming courts 5 and 4.
Magadan faced a neck-and-neck battle with both sets going 5-all. The senior was able to pull away from Zsombor Velcz on court 2, 7-5, 7-5, to put the Aggies one shy of the win. Baylor tied it back up 3-all after a victory on court 3 before Papamalamis sent the Aggies to the Sweet 16.
“Types of matches like today where Theo and I, since we play the top lines, we need to step up in these 4-3 matches,” Magadan said. “We both did just that today and pulled off the win.”
The Aggies will next play Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on May 9 at 4 p.m.
“This was an unusual year with all the injuries,” head coach Steve Denton said. “But it feels good now getting through all that. We’re happy with today but we know we have a challenge next week and our guys are looking forward to that opportunity.”
#18 Texas A&M 4, #19 Baylor 3
DOUBLES
#4 Togan Tokac/Theo Papamalamis (A&M) def. #27 Oskar Brostrom Poulsen/Marko Miladinovic (BU) – 6-1
Alan Magadan/Tiago Pires (A&M) def. #64 Devin Badenhorst/Luc Koening (BU) – 6-3
Giulio Perego/Ritesh Patil (A&M) vs. Zsombor Velcz/Alexandru Chirita (BU) – 4-5 – unfinished
Order of Finish: 1,2
SINGLES
#31 Theo Papamalamis (A&M) def. #33 Devin Badenhorst (BU) – 6-4, 4-6, 6-1
#85 Alan Magadan (A&M) def. #112 Zsombor Velcz (BU) – 7-5, 7-5
Oskar Brostrom Poulsen (BU) def. Tiago Pires (A&M) – 3-6, 6-0, 7-5
Alexandru Chirita (BU) def. Luke Casper (A&M) – 7-6(9), 6-4
Luc Koenig (BU) def. Togan Tokac (A&M) – 6-4, 6-2
Damien Salvestre (A&M) def. Marko Miladinovic (BU) – 6-2, 6-4
Order of Finish: 6,5,4,2,3,1