Men's Tennis wins pair of doubles matches at Crimson Tide Fall Championships

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Middle Tennessee men's tennis team won a pair of doubles matches during Saturday's play at the Crimson Tide Fall Championships at the University of Alabama.

Ettore Zito and Christoph Lang breezed to an 8-3 win over Rafael Rondino and Korhan Ates of UAB to open the day. Yannick Born and Marlon Brand needed a 7-4 win in a tiebreaker to beat Furman's Joel Cook and Tyler Droll 9-8.

The Blue Raiders had a tough time in the second round of singles. Zito lost 2-6, 3-6 to UAB's David Zimmerman. He had previously beaten Zimmerman at the Dale Short Shootout in September. Lang lost a close 6-7 (2-7), 4-6 match to Jarryd Botha of Alabama. Born and Brand also dropped their second round matches in straight sets.  Zito bounced back in the third round to defeat Jose Luque of Jackson State 6-3, 6-3. Lang also won his match against Rondino of UAB 6-2, 3-2 with Rondino retiring in the second set. Born dropped the first set of his third round match to Rodrigo Rappaccioli of Tulane 6-4, but came back in the second set with a 6-2 win. Rappaciolli then won the third set 7-5 to win the match.

The Blue Raiders wrap up their fall season with a final round of singles in Tuscaloosa on Sunday.

SATURDAY RESULTS

DOUBLES

Bear Bryant Draw

Yannick Born/Marlon Brand (MT) def. Joel Cook/Tyler Droll (Furman) 9-8 (7-4)

Nick Saban Draw

Ettore Zito/Christoph Lang (MT) def. Rafael Rondino/Korhan Ates (UAB) 8-3

SINGLES

Bear Bryant Draw

David Zimmerman (UAB) def. Ettore Zito (MT) 6-2, 6-3

Ettore Zito (MT) def. Jose Luque (Jackson State) 6-3, 6-3

Nick Saban Draw

Jarryd Botha (Alabama) def. Christoph Lang (MT) 7-6 (7-2), 6-4

Christoph Lang (MT) def. Rafael Rondino (UAB) 6-2, 3-2 ret.

Rodrigo Rappaccioli (Tulane) def. Yannick Born (MT) 6-4, 2-6, 7-5

Gene Stallings Draw

Ian Van Cott (Tulane) def. Marlon Brand (MT) 6-4, 6-3

Blake Gregor (South Alabama) def. Marlon Brand (MT) 6-4, 6-2

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