NEW ORLEANS, La. — New Mexico snagged the doubles point for the second straight day in tiebreaking fashion. Still, UNM could only muster two other singles wins, dropping a 4-3 decision to Tulane in just the third match at the new Goldring Tennis Center.
The Lobos dropped to 5-10 overall, and Tulane improved to 5-7.
After Tyler Waddock and Connor Dils picked up a 6-3 win in doubles, both other matches went to tiebreakers. UNM needed just one win there and got it when Dario Ciobotaru and Philip Bosin won 7-6 (7-5). That gave UNM a 1-0 lead.
In singles, everything was decided in straight sets, except for the final match, which was decided after the outcome was determined. The Green Wave took two quick singles wins to take a 2-1 lead before Bosin leveled things with a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 2 singles, but that was all UNM could get in the first five matches.
Tulane won it with a fourth point at No. 5 singles. Jakub Prachar went to a tiebreaker in the opening set, losing 7-6 (9-7), and then lost in the second 6-0 to give Tulane a clinching win. That spoiled a terrific outing for Alberto Perez, who saved three match points at 5-2 and 5-4 with his opponent, Asaf Friedler serving, to bounce back with a hard-fought 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 win.
The Lobos will now open conference play on the road at No. 57 Grand Canyon in Phoenix.
NOTES: Bosin’s win was his team-leading 13th singles win … Perez now has a three-match winning streak, the best active streak on the team … UNM still has one more non-conference match left on the schedule, hosting New Mexico State on April 4.