The James Madison men's tennis team made a strong showing at the ITA Conference Masters Championships, with the duo of Zach Fleishman and Francisco Sinopoli putting on an impressive performance. The pair represented the Sun Belt Conference in doubles, showcasing their skills and determination against some of the top talent in the nation.

Unleashing Their Potential on the National Stage

Overcoming Early Adversity, Dukes Duo Secures Opening-Round Victory

The JMU duo faced an early challenge in their opening match, finding themselves down 4-1 in the first set against Tyler Nguyen and Mathis Tremblay of Saint Francis. However, Fleishman and Sinopoli refused to be deterred, breaking the SFU tandem three times and winning the final five games to claim the opening set 6-4. In the second set, they trailed 5-4 before breaking the SFU serve to square the set, sparking a 3-0 run that ultimately led to a thrilling 7-5 victory.

Narrow Defeat in the Round of 16

Despite their impressive opening-round triumph, Fleishman and Sinopoli's tournament run came to a close in the round of 16. They faced a tough challenge against Utah State's Mohammad Alkotop and David Martirosian, who hail from the Mountain West Conference. In the opening set, USU broke JMU's first game, and the teams held serve the rest of the way, giving the Aggie duo the set lead. Fleishman and Sinopoli opened the second set with a 2-0 lead, breaking Utah State's second-game serve. However, Utah State would win three games in a row to take a 5-3 lead. Although the Dukes duo climbed back within 5-4, Alkotop and Martirosian ultimately closed out the match on serve, securing a 6-4, 6-4 victory.

Successful Fall Season for the Dukes Duo

Despite the narrow defeat in the round of 16, Fleishman and Sinopoli can be proud of their overall performance during the fall season. The duo went an impressive 8-2 as a team over the past month, showcasing their chemistry and skill on the court. This event marked the conclusion of their fall play, with the rest of the James Madison men's tennis team wrapping up their fall schedule this weekend at the Navy Invite in Annapolis, Maryland.