LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Portland men's tennis lost a 4-2 road decision in a West Coast Conference match to the LMU Lions Saturday afternoon. The Pilots fall to 6-5 on the season, while the Lions improve to 7-6 overall.

The match was slightly delayed due to wet court conditions, so singles matches were played first.

The Pilots took the early lead when Maxim Groysman produced a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 4 singles against Toky Ranaivo.

LMU bounced back with straight set wins at the No. 3, No. 5 and No. 1 positions, but Portland made it a 3-2 deficit after Fabian Gusic picked up the win via retirement against Alex Padro Parra after winning the second set at No. 6.

Nicolas Ocana tried to push the match to doubles at No. 2 against Yassine Smiej, but fell 2-6, 7-5, 7-5 to end the contest.

"We've had some really cool moments at LMU through the years," Portland head coach Aaron Gross said. "It's probably the place we've had the most success on the road and it looked like we were almost going to have another today. We had to start singles because of the weather. Max had a great day. Fabian, Juan and Ocana had a couple match points in the second that could've pushed the match into doubles. It was tricky conditions today and it's disappointing because it's one we could have stolen. We were right there to do it, but just didn't get it done. I know all tennis players are searching for comfort. We had a hard time finding that in windy conditions. I'm confident that next weekend we will find that and push that discomfort to our opponents. That's really a separator, being able to play when things aren't perfect for you."

Portland will continue WCC action at home next week hosting San Francisco on Thursday at 10 a.m. and Saint Mary's Saturday at 10 a.m.

LMU 4, Portland 2
Los Angeles, Calif. (LMU Tennis Center)
March 23, 2024

Singles
1. Arthur Pantino (LMU) def. Oscar Brown (POR) 6-4, 6-3
2. Yassine Smiej (LMU) def. Nicolas Ocana (POR) 2-6, 7-5, 7-5
3. Sebastian Nothhaft (LMU) def. Luka Vukovic (POR) 6-1, 6-4
4. Maxim Groysman (POR) def. Toky Ranaivo (LMU) 6-2, 6-2
5. Max Wuelfing (LMU) def. Nikola Keremedchiev (POR) 6-4, 6-2
6. Fabian Gusic (POR) def. Alex Padro Parra (LMU) 4-6, 7-5, retired

Doubles
DNP

Match Notes
Portland 6-5, 1-1 WCC
LMU 7-6, 1-0 WCC
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