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LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV men’s tennis team opened its dual-match schedule with an impressive 6-1 win over Creighton on a sunny but frigid Monday at the Fertitta Tennis Complex.
The Rebels fought off the winds to take the doubles point with triumphs on the bottom two courts. Illia Maksymchuk and Kemal Karakas won 6-1 at the second spot while Joel Gibson and Vitaliy Horovoy clinched with a 7-6 tiebreak victory on court three.
In singles play, a trio of Rebels swept to wins: Thomas Navarro, 6-4, 6-2, over Zachary Kuo at No. 3; Karakas, 6-3, 6-4 over Kirtan Patel at No. 4; and Gibson, 6-0, 7-6 over Ethan Neil at No. 6. The home team also picked up comeback wins in three-setters as Maksymchuk got by Alejando Gandini 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 at the top spot and Horovoy downed Rocky McKenzie at No. 5, 2-6, 6-1, 6-0.
REBEL OF THE MATCH: Freshman Kemal Karakas had a bright Rebel debut, winning easily at No. 2 doubles before sweeping his singles opponent on court four.
“It was a nice start to the season for us today and we are excited to be playing home matches Thursday, Friday and Saturday,“ said UNLV Head Coach Andy Jackson.
UP NEXT: UNLV will host a trio of matches this weekend, beginning with UC Riverside on Thursday at 2 pm. All matches at Fertitta Tennis Complex are free of charge.
Men’s Tennis Match ResultsUNLV 6, CREIGHTON 1Jan. 20, 2025, at Las Vegas(Fertitta Tennis Complex)Singles competition
1. Illia Maksymchuk (UNLV) def. Alejandro Gandini (CREIGH) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4
2. Yuma Daijima (CREIGH) def. Dusan Rsovac (UNLV) 1-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-5)
3. Thomas Navarro (UNLV) def. Zachary Kuo (CREIGH) 6-4, 6-2
4. Kemal Karakas (UNLV) def. Kirtan Patel (CREIGH) 6-3, 6-4
5. Vitaliy Horovoy (UNLV) def. Rocky McKenzie (CREIGH) 2-6, 6-1, 6-0
6. Joel Gibson (UNLV) def. Ethan Neil (CREIGH) 6-0, 7-6
Doubles competition
1. Dusan Rsovac/Thomas Navarro (UNLV) vs. Rocky McKenzie/Ethan Neil (CREIGH) 6-6, unfinished
2. Kemal Karakas/Illia Maksymchuk (UNLV) def. Yuma Daijima/Alejandro Gandini (CREIGH) 6-1
3. Joel Gibson/Vitaliy Horovoy (UNLV) def. Zachary Kuo/Kirtan Patel (CREIGH) 7-6
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