Men's Tennis Routs Eastern Illinois 6-1 for Sixth-Straight Win

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For the second consecutive outing the Belmont University men's tennis team earned a commanding 6-1 Horizon League victory, doing so late Saturday afternoon at the Beaman Family Tennis Complex against visiting Eastern Illinois. The Bruins, who remained unbeaten in league play (4-0) and improved to 13-5 on the year with the win, battled challenging conditions in extreme wind but were not deterred.
 
After capturing the coveted doubles point with wins on courts two and three, Belmont collected five straight-set victories in singles action. The Panthers (5-9, 1-3 Horizon) were only able to take the fifth singles flight for their lone point of the match.
 
The sophomore duo of Ian Cruz and Gabriel Sardo took out Eastern Illinois' Tyler Carlin and Antonio Ayerbe Streubel 6-4 at No. 3 doubles to clinch the doubles point after senior Jack Randall and junior Alfred Wallin defeated the Panthers' Pau Riera and Alex Dinkov 6-2 on court two. At the top doubles spot, the nationally-ranked tandem of graduate student Marko Ilic and junior Riccardo Trione led Eastern Illinois' Cameron Slabbert and Thomas Wallace 5-3 when Cruz and Sardo secured the doubles point.
 
Much like many of his matches as of late, Cruz was absolutely dominant at No. 3 singles where he topped Carlin by giving up only one game in the second set. Trione was also impressive at the fourth position, cruising to a 6-1, 6-2 win over Dinkov.
 
At the top singles position, Ilic bested Slabbert 6-3, 6-2 before Wallin closed out Riera 6-1, 6-2 at the second spot.
 
Randall finished off the afternoon with a 6-3, 6-1 triumph at No. 6 singles against Ayerbe Streubel.
 
The Bruins have now won six in a row, which represents their longest winning streak of the season.
 
Up Next
Belmont has a quick turnaround, hosting Lindenwood Sunday afternoon in the Music City. First serve from the Seabury Family Tennis Courts is set for 2 p.m. Live scoring will be available at BelmontBruins.com.
 
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