ORLANDO, Fla. – The career of one of UTA's best tennis players came to end Monday night as senior Guanarteme Nuez fell to No. 7-seed Aleksandar Kovacevic from Illinois 6-3, 6-3 in the opening round of the NCAA Singles Championship.
"It was a very competitive match," UTA coach Diego Benitez said. "Teme had some chances, but unfortunately could not capitalize."
Nuez began the matched fired up, quickly taking the first game. He jumped out to a 40-15 lead before taking the game point. However, Kovac recovered, winning the next three games and allowing Nuez to score just three times as he took a 3-1 lead in set one.
After Nuez took the first point in game four, Kovac won three points before Nuez cut back into the lead, but it wasn't enough as Kovac finished the game to win his fourth point in the set. Nuez fell behind 30-40 in game six, but won back-to-back points to win his second game of the set.
Kovac responded to the game six loss by winning the game seven to take a 5-2 lead. Kovac held a 40-30 lead over Nuez in the set deciding game, but Nuez battled back to win the next two points and win his third game of the set. Nuez fell behind 40-Love in the ninth game, but never gave up, winning the next two points to make it 40-30. However, Kovac finished the game with the set clinching point to win 6-3.
Set two began with a smooth win from Nuez, allowing just one point from Kovac in game one. After Kovac took game two, Nuez battled back from a 40-15 deficit to win game three and take a 2-1 lead in set two.
The next three games went in Kovac's favor as Nuez fell behind 4-2, but a hard-fought game seven came down to the last point, with Nuez coming out on top to win his third game of the set.
The match would end following the next two games as Kovac won back-to-back. Kovac had to fight to win the game, with Nuez threatening tied 40-40. However, Kovac made his shot count, taking the set 6-3 and the match 6-3, 6-3.
"[Teme] had a great career at UTA and we are honored to be part of his development," Benitez said.