EAST LANSING – The intra-state rivalry was sparked once again yesterday when the Michigan men’s tennis team faced Michigan State in East Lansing. Michigan dropped its sixth straight match to the Spartans, 5-2.
Although the Spartans won all three doubles matches, the Wolverines played tough in the singles matches.
Sophomore David Anving triumphed over Michigan State’s Marshall Cameron, winning in two straight sets.
“We lost three match points in our doubles match, so I was really pumped up for my singles match,” Anving said.
Anving faced Cameron last year, losing in two straight sets, and “really wanted to beat him this time.”
The first set was tight, but Anving was able to break back and clinch the first set. By the second set, Cameron was worn down, while Anving picked up the pace and swept the match (6-4, 6-1).
Although sophomore Josef Fischer was ultimately defeated by his opponent, Topalo Goran, he provided an exciting and entertaining match.
“It’s always very emotional when you play the Spartans. All you want to do is win,” Fischer said.
Fischer’s match was critical. If he and Chris Shaya had each been successful in their singles matches, Michigan would have taken the overall victory.
“After my teammates put a good effort into their doubles matches but lost doubles points, I knew we were going to need to win four out of six singles matches in order to win against State. I knew Goran was a big player, and I had to do whatever I could just to stay in the point,” Fischer said.
Fischer had little room for error. At 5-6 in the first set, Goran broke Fischer.
In the second set, Fischer had one double fault, and Goran took a 3-love, breaking Fischer.
“I told myself, ‘Just hold this game.’ I (was) only down one break, and I knew with a little luck and some balls on the court, that he would give me a game, and I could come back,” Fischer said.
Fischer was unsuccessful in his battle, losing 7-5, 7-5.
“I just tried to hang tough,” Fischer said.