Drexel University Athletics
Thursday, February 15
Armory
12 p.m.
Drexel University
6
vs
1
La Salle
Photo by: Greg Carroccio
Men's Tennis Cruises to 6-1 Win Over La Salle as Laalej Ties Record
2/15/2018 3:23:00 PM | Men's Tennis
PHILADELPHIA - The Drexel men's tennis team got its weekend started with a 6-1 win over La Salle at the Armory on Thursday afternoon. The Dragons won five of the six singles matches and two of the three doubles matches to earn the victory over the neighboring Explorers.
In the victory, Drexel senior Hamza Laalej tied former Dragon Badr Ouabdelmoumen for the all-time lead with 54 singles victories. He won at the No. 2 position in the Drexel lineup, defeating Tomas Christian 6-0, 6-2. Laalej, who is 9-5 in singles play this season, matched Ouabdelmoumen's total of 54 career victories in 10 fewer matches than his former teammate, who compiled a 54-37 record from 2011-15. Laalej is currently 54-27 for his career. Meanwhile, junior Sinan Orhon extended his all-time lead in doubles victories with his 54th, teaming with Laalej at the No. 1 doubles position to win 7-6 (3).
Orhon and Laalej's victory in doubles clinched that point for Drexel after Xandy Hammitt and Youssef Lahlou captured their match at No. 3, 6-2. In singles action, Drexel won in each of the top five positions. Balaji Lakshmanan continued his singles winning streak to four matches with a three-set victory at the top spot, knocking out Francesco Mowrey 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. Sanil Jagtiani (6-1, 7-5 at No. 3), Lahlou (6-0, 6-3 at No. 4), and Hammitt (6-1, 6-2 at No. 5) were straight sets victors for Drexel to help the Dragons round out the city rivalry victory.
The victory started a four-match homestand for Drexel, which remains at home to take on Villanova on Saturday afternoon. That match is set to get underway at 6 p.m.
RESULTS
Doubles
Hamza Laalej/Sinan Orhon def. Francesco Mowrey/Tomas Christian, 7-6 (3)
Balaji Lakshmanan Sanil Jagtiani def. by Connor Merrill/Rogelio Gonzalez, 6-4
Xandy Hammitt/Youssef Lahlou def. Colin Lucius, Patrick Pascual, 6-2
Singles
Balaji Lakshmanan def. Francesco Mowrey, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
Hamza Laalej def. Tomas Christian, 6-0, 6-2
Sanil Jagtiani def. Rogelio Gonzalez, 6-1, 7-5
Youssef Lahlou def. Connor Merrill, 6-0, 6-3
Xandy Hammitt def. Joe DiOrio, 6-1, 6-2
Vuk Subotic def. by Patrick Pascual, 8-3
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Men's Tennis Takes Down La Salle 6-1
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