AZUSA, Calif. – The University of California San Diego men's tennis team upset No. 7 Azusa Pacific in a thrilling match on the road today. The victory was UC San Diego's first over Azusa Pacific since April 15, 2017. It was also the Tritons' first win over a top-7 nationally ranked opponent since they upended then-No. 1 Hawaii Pacific on Feb. 19, 2017.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: UC San Diego 4, Azusa Pacific 3
Records: UC San Diego 2-0, Azusa Pacific 2-1
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was an early deficit for the Tritons as they were unable to top the Cougars in doubles. Cody Duong and Neil Tengbumroong fell, 6-3, to their opponents at second doubles, while Marius Ruh and Marc Isaia dropped a 6-2 decision to their Cougar counterparts at third doubles.
 
The Cougars picked up two more points to start singles, but Sreeganesh Manoharan kept the Tritons alive at fifth singles, winning 6-4, 6-3. Cody Duong then pulled the Tritons within one, defeating his opponent, 6-2, 0-6, 6-3.
 
Neil Tengbumroong tied the score at fourth singles, as he was victorious, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.
 
It all came down to a tight matchup at third singles. After capturing the first set, 6-4, Marc Isaia was narrowly edged by his opponent in set two, 5-7. With the match on the line, Isaia and his Cougar foe battled hard, and Isaia emerged victorious, 7-6, to seal the upset.
 
COACH'S THOUGHTS
"I am extremely proud of how they kept fighting to the end," said Head Coach Timmer Willing about his team. "Down 3-0 with a player injured, it looked bleak and we kept competing. It was a well-deserved win!
 
"These types of comebacks are rare in any sport and it was fun to be a part of one on the good end."
 
RESULTS
View the box score here.
 
UP NEXT
UC San Diego will remain on the road for its next match. The Tritons will take on Biola at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
 
About UC San Diego Athletics
With 30 national team championships, nearly 150 individual titles and the top student-athlete graduation rate among Division II institutions in the United States, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program annually ranks as one of the most successful in the country.  The Tritons sponsor 23 intercollegiate sport programs that compete on the NCAA Division I and II levels and, in summer 2020, will transition into full Division I status as a member of the Big West Conference.  UC San Diego student-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent.  A total of 82 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 37 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships.  In competition, more than 1,300 UC San Diego student-athletes have earned All-America honors.

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