ROCK HILL, SC -- The Winthrop men’s tennis team collected a tough 5-2 win over Charlotte this Thursday afternoon at the Memorial Courts.
The Eagles (2-3) played on a solid doubles level as they swept all three matches.
In singles, Winthrop quickly jumped to 2-0 as junior Jorge Padilla cruised past Jonathan Vencatachellum at number five singles. Sophomore Rodrigo Santos gave the Eagles a 3-0 lead as he rolled over Zvi Lantsberg at number three. The 49ers (2-5) put themselves on the scoreboard as Ryan Johson defeated freshman Arthur Takahashi at number two. Sophomore Alejandro Portugal won the decisive fourth point as he defeated Dorian Host in three sets. Sophomore Vinicius Bortolatto recorded the last Eagle win at number one. The triumph came over Roy Sichel, who is ranked 81st in the country.
Coach Cid Carvalho spoke about the team's performance. "This was a great win for us over a quality team," said Carvalho. "We played very well in singles and everybody played on a good level in singles. Vinicius also had a good win over a ranked player."
Winthrop’s next match will be against Appalachian State on the road next Wednesday as next Saturday’s Big South Conference match at Birmingham-Southern has been moved to March 11.
Winthrop 5, Charlotte 2
Singles competition:
1. Vinicius Bortolatto (WU) def. # 81 Roy Sichel (UNCC) 3-6, 6-2, 6-1
2. Ryan Johnson (UNCC) def. Arthur Takahashi (WU) 6-4, 6-3
3. Rodrigo Santos (WU) def. Zvi Lantsberg (UNCC) 6-2, 6-1
4. Alejandro Portugal (WU) def. Dorian Host (UNCC) 6-2, 5-7, 6-2
5. Jorge Padilla (WU) def. Jonathan Vencatachellum (UNCC) 6-1, 6-2
6. Stuart Lynas (UNCC) def. Thiago Barbosa (WU) 7-6, 6-1
Doubles competition:
1. Germano Knorr/Rodrigo Santos (WU) def. Ryan Johnson/Stuart Lynas (UNCC) 8-4
2. Jorge Padilla/Alejandro Portugal (WU) def. Roy Sichel/Dorian Host (UNCC) 8-6
3. Thiago Barbosa/Vinicius Bortolatto (WU) def. Jonathan Vencatachellum/Felix Bernhoerster (UNCC) 8-2
