TULSA, Okla. – North Dakota men's tennis battled against rough outdoor conditions, weather delays and a change of venue during competition to complete its first conference match of the season in dominant fashion with a 6-1 victory over Oral Roberts on Friday.
 
The Fighting Hawks took the 1-0 lead off doubles play, beginning with a convincing 6-4 victory from the middle position off the duo of Christos Alex and Darrshan Suresh Kumar. Justin Ilic and Kotaro Matsumura teamed up to take an identical 6-4 win at the third court—securing the team doubles point—as ORU won from the No. 1 position, 6-2.
 
Now with the lead, UND went to work. Spanning action across both outdoor courts and indoor facilities in Tulsa, North Dakota collected five of six singles matches to cruise to the win.
 
Leo Galliano took a 6-2, 6-3 win in strong style from the top spot and Matsumura added in a mirrored 6-4, 6-4 win in straight sets from the No. 4 court, but all other singles matches would go three sets.
 
From the No. 2 position, Suresh Kumar dominated in the first set for the 6-1 win before faltering 4-6 in the second. The freshman fought against a threatening flip of momentum and rallied in the forced third set to collect a gritty 7-5 win. Ilic also emerged victoriously at the No. 3 court after dropping the opening set, 4-6. He went on to dominate in the second, 6-1, and turned up the heat late to take the 7-6 (4) win in the third.
 
Walker Valentine went ahead early with his 6-2 first set win at the No. 6 court but soon dropped 4-6 in the second. But the junior put the pedal to the metal in the third set for the match-clinching 6-2 showing.
 
Oral Roberts' lone win came from the No. 5 spot against Alex, who won the first set 6-1, but proceeded to fall in ensuing hard-fought sets 4-6, 6-7 (3).
 
North Dakota tennis returns to action on Sunday, March 8 with a doubleheader for the Fighting Hawk men and women against Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Okla.

For more information on North Dakota men's tennis, visit FightingHawks.com or follow on social media @UNDmtennis.