RICHMOND, Ky. – Visiting Tennessee Tech edged the Eastern Kentucky University men’s tennis team Saturday afternoon in Eastern’s home finale, 4-3. The Colonels (9-12, 4-2 OVC) play their final three regular season matches on the road.

The doubles point proved to be the difference as the two teams split the six singles matches. TTU (4-9, 4-0) easily won the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles matches to take the first point.

“I was very disappointed in doubles which set a bad tone for the match,” EKU head coach Rob Oertel said. “We might have to shuffle our doubles line-up to see what will work. In singles, unfortunately we just didn’t get it done.”

In singles, the Golden Eagles won a pair of matches that went to three sets. Alex Augusto held off freshman Alex Alvaro at No. 2 singles while Vasily Eremeev downed freshman Lucas Smets in the third at No. 4 singles.

Sophomore Juanjo de la Llera (No. 3), junior Joao Maio (No. 5) and freshman Florian Graskamp (No. 6) were victorious for the Colonels.

EKU is back in action on April 4 at OVC rival Morehead State.

Tennessee Tech 4, Eastern Kentucky 3

Singles
1. Syrym Abdukhalikov (TTU) def. Daridge Saidi (EKU)  6-4, 6-2
2. Alex Augusto (TTU) def. Alex Alvaro (EKU)   7-6, 2-6, 6-1
3. Juanjo de la Llera (EKU) def. Artem Tarasov (TTU)  6-3, 6-2
4. Vasily Eremeev (TTU)  def. Lucas Smets (EKU)   6-3, 4-6, 6-2
5. Joao Maio (EKU) def. Arturo Santa (TTU)   6-4, 6-7, (10-8)
6. Florian Graskamp (EKU) def. Othon Lima (TTU)  6-0, 7-5

Doubles
1. Abdukhalikov/Augusto (TTU) def. Alvaro/Saidi (EKU)  8-3
2. Eremeev/Tarasov (TTU) def. de la Llera/Maio (EKU)   8-2
3. Dombrowski/Smets (EKU) led Cintas/Lima (TTU)  7-3

Match Notes: Eastern Kentucky (9-12, 4-2); Tennessee Tech (4-9, 4-0)
Order of Finish: Doubles (1, 2); Singles (1, 3, 6, 4, 2*, 5)