SUMTER, S.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte men's tennis team is advancing to their fifth South Atlantic Conference Championship finals after the top-seeded Royals defeated fifth seeded Tusculum 4-2 on Friday afternoon at the Palmetto Tennis Center. The Royals will face off with rival Wingate University tomorrow, April 23 at 9:00. The Bulldogs bested second-seeded Anderson 4-2 on the other side of the bracket to secure their spot in the title.
Tusculum started strong, earning the first point of the day with doubles wins at No. 1 and No. 3. Though the Royals duo of
Edoardo Cecere and
Win Steveker swept the second flight with a 6-0 win.
The Royals would not be phased as they went into singles action and took four victories to claim the semifinals win.
Edoardo Cecere made quick work at No. 2 singles 6-0, 6-4 while
Laurenz Blickwede downed Matsuguma at No. 5 6-2, 6-3.
Win Steveker and
Yoan Roussinov both went into three sets before emerging victorious. Steveker won No. 3 singles 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 while Roussinov won 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.
Queens will square off against No. 3 seeded Wingate University in Saturday's championship final at 9 a.m. The two rivals played earlier this season and the Royals took down the Bulldogs 4-3 in Charlotte. The programs faced off in the SAC Championship in 2018-2019 and the Bulldogs claimed the victory 4-1.
Queens University of Charlotte 4, Tusculum 2
Singles
- Edoardo Bottino (QUEENSM) vs. Frank Bonacia (TU) 6-3, unfinished
- Edoardo Cecere (QUEENSM) def. Robin Eldin (TU) 6-0, 6-4
- Win Steveker (QUEENSM) def. Nemanja Subanovic (TU) 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
- Kenta Kondou (TU) def. Berk Enc (QUEENSM) 6-4, 6-2
- Laurenz Blickwede (QUEENSM) def. Nathan Matsuguma (TU) 6-2, 6-3
- Yoan Roussinov (QUEENSM) def. Vadzim Raitsou (TU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
Doubles
- Nemanja Subanovic / Marco Jalalian (TU) def. Edoardo Bottino / Laurenz Blickwede (QUEENSM) 6-4
- Edoardo Cecere / Win Steveker (QUEENSM) def. Kenta Kondou / Frank Bonacia (TU) 6-0
- Vadzim Raitsou / Robin Eldin (TU) def. Berk Enc / Yoan Roussinov (QUEENSM) 6-1
