HIXSON, Tenn. – The Belmont men's tennis team fell to Chattanooga 4-3 in a hard fought match played Sunday at the Hixson Racquet Club in Hixson, Tennessee.
The Mocs picked up the first point of the match as they won two of the three doubles matches. The third match, in which the Belmont duo of Bruno Silva and Henrik Claesson were winning 7-4, was stopped once the doubles point was clinched.
In singles, Chattanooga extended their lead to 3-0 as they picked up victories at the five and six positions, but then the Bruins stormed back. Senior Renato Antun won at number two over Chris Smith 6-3, 6-4, while senior Henrique Norbiato beat Roberto Vieira 6-2, 6-3 at number one. Belmont tied the match at 3-3 when at number four; freshman Navarro Veys beat Pavels Grigorjevs 7-6, 6-3. With the match tied, focus settled on the matchup between BU's Fernando Mussolini and UTC's Manuel Barroetavena. Mussolini won the first set 6-4, but Barroetavena came back won set two 6-3, and then won the final set 6-4 to clinch the 4-3 victory for the Mocs.
Belmont (0-2) is off for two weeks before returning to action on Friday, February 8th as they play Abilene Christian in a neutral site match in Clarksville.
