It didn’t take long for the LSU men’s tennis team to advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
The Tigers (11-11) made quick work of Rice in a 4-0 victory in the first round of the NCAA tournament at W.T. “Dub” Robinson Stadium, winning the doubles point and three straight singles matches.
The Tigers picked up doubles point with victories from the duo of senior Michael Venus and freshman Neal Skupski, as well as the sophomore pair of Sebastian Carlsson and Julien Gauthier.
Venus and Skupski defeated Rice seniors Christoph Muller and Tobias Schiel, 9-7. Carlsson and Gauthier took an identical 9-7 victory against Rice freshmen Sam Garforth-Bles and Christian Saravia.
LSU seniors James Cluskey and Jonathan Tragardh dropped an 8-4 decision to Rice junior Bruno Rosa and freshman Isamu Tachibana.
Venus picked up the next point for the Tigers, finishing first of all the singles matches with a 6-2, 6-3 win against Rosa for a 2-0 LSU lead.
Skupski, Venus’ doubles partner, followed suit with a 6-1, 6,2 victory against Schiel for a 3-0 advantage.
Gauthier clinched the match for LSU with a 7-5, 6-1 victory against Garforth-Bles.
LSU faces Ole Miss in the second round Saturday at 1 p.m. at Robinson Stadium. Ole Miss defeated Alcorn State, 4-0, before LSU took on Rice.
The Tigers have lost to the Rebels twice this season – 5-2 at Robinson Stadium on April 10 and 4-2 in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament April 24.
 
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