Rome, GA – The fifth-ranked Cumberlands Patriots men's tennis opened play Saturday morning at the Rome Downtown Tennis Center but fell 4-2 to No. 11 Dillard Bleu Devils men's tennis in a tightly contested matchup.  

The Patriots started strong by securing the doubles point. At No. 1 doubles, the duo of Darius Kuster and Gabriele Solda controlled their match with a 6-2 victory over Siddharth Arya and Ilyas Kouchari. The Patriots followed with another win at No. 2 doubles as Jacopo Cianfarini and Mohammed Abuzed Saber posted a 6-3 decision against Nour Ibrahim and Amar Erdenechullun to clinch the point.  

In singles play, Dillard responded by capturing four courts to secure the team victory. Kuster battled in a three-set thriller at the top spot but ultimately fell 7-6 (8-6), 2-6, 6-2 to Arya. Cianfarini also pushed his match to three sets at No. 2 singles before Ibrahim pulled away for a 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 win.  

Solda opened strong at No. 3 singles by taking the first set but Tarique Bobia rallied to take the final two sets and the match 2-6, 6-2, 6-4. At No. 4 singles, Thibaud Vivier forced a deciding set after winning the second, but Undrakh Purevdorj claimed the match 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.  

The Patriots picked up their lone singles victory at No. 5 as Kesia Roi battled to a 7-6 (8-5), 5-7, 7-5 win over Edoardo Sambu. The match at No. 6 singles between Abuzed Saber and Kouchari was left unfinished. 

The Patriots are back on the court on Monday, March 16, where they will travel to No. 6 Lindsey Wilson for a Top-10 conference matchup. The first serve is slated for 1:00 PM.   

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