Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
MT competes with No. 25 Commodores
1/18/2016 5:25:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Ayed Zatar Cordero picks up win at No. 5
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee's men's tennis program was competitive with the ITA ranked No. 25 Vanderbilt Commodores at the Adams Tennis Complex on Monday, but pulled out only one win.
The Commodores got out to an early lead in the match by winning the doubles point. The doubles team of Ayed Zatar Cordero and Robin Riethmueller got behind early on, but started to come back midways through the match. The comeback attempt failed, and Vanderbilt's Daniel Valent and Baker Newman took the win, 6-2.
Clinching the doubles for Vanderbilt was the No. 1 doubles combo of Rhys Johnson and Cameron Klinger, who defeated Dima Zyhmantovich and Gonzalo Morell Raschiatore 6-4, although MT was up early in the match. Gian Issa and Miguel Negre Fernandez had their match halted at 5 games apiece.
In singles play, Klinger defeated Riethmueller at No. 4 by a score of 6-4, 6-3. Vandy's Valent, ranked No. 64 in the country in singles, took down Zyhmantovich 6-1, 6-2 at No. 1. The match clinching point was delivered by Newman, as he got the best of Issa at No. 3, 6-4, 6-1.
Morell was in a tight match, but couldn't recover from losing a first set tiebreak, as Johnson took the win, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3. Negre Fernandez dropped a close first set, but cruised through the second set. It came down to a third set match tiebreak, where Vandy's Ryan Smith pulled away late in the tiebreak to win the match 6-4, 2-6, 1-0 (10-7).
The lone MT win in the match came at the No. 5 spot in the lineup. Freshman Zatar Cordero took the three-set thriller, 6-3, 0-6, 6-3. Zatar Cordero had his serve working the entire match, and his volleys put him in good shape to win many points.
The 1-1 Raiders will look to rebound at the Adams Tennis Complex against Xavier and Murray State on Jan. 23 at 1 and 5 p.m., respectively.
For updates and information on promotions and matches throughout the year, follow @MT_MensTennis on Twitter.
No. 25 Vanderbilt vs Middle Tennessee
1/18/2016 at Murfreesboro, Tenn.
No. 25 Vanderbilt 6, Middle Tennessee 1
Singles competition
1. #64 Daniel Valent (VU) def. Dima Zyhmantovich (MT) 6-1, 6-2
2. Rhys Johnson (VU) def. Gonzalo Morell (MT) 7-6 (7-4), 6-3
3. Baker Newman (VU) def. Gian Issa (MT) 6-4, 6-1
4. Cameron Klinger (VU) def. Robin Riethmueller (MT) 6-4, 6-3
5. Ayed Zatar Cordero (MT) def. Kris Yee (VU) 6-3, 0-6, 6-3
6. Ryan Smith (VU) def. Miguel Negre (MT) 6-4, 2-6, 1-0 (10-7)
Doubles competition
1. Rhys Johnson/Cameron Klinger (VU) def. Dima Zyhmantovich/Gonzalo Morell (MT) 6-4
2. Pen Binet/Ryan Smith (VU) vs. Gian Issa/Miguel Negre (MT) 5-5
3. Daniel Valent/Baker Newman (VU) def. Ayed Zatar Cordero/Robin Riethmueller (MT) 6-2
Match Notes:
No. 25 Vanderbilt 3-0
Middle Tennessee 1-1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (4,1,3,2,6,5)
Official: Ted Mason T-2:20 A-526
The Commodores got out to an early lead in the match by winning the doubles point. The doubles team of Ayed Zatar Cordero and Robin Riethmueller got behind early on, but started to come back midways through the match. The comeback attempt failed, and Vanderbilt's Daniel Valent and Baker Newman took the win, 6-2.
Clinching the doubles for Vanderbilt was the No. 1 doubles combo of Rhys Johnson and Cameron Klinger, who defeated Dima Zyhmantovich and Gonzalo Morell Raschiatore 6-4, although MT was up early in the match. Gian Issa and Miguel Negre Fernandez had their match halted at 5 games apiece.
In singles play, Klinger defeated Riethmueller at No. 4 by a score of 6-4, 6-3. Vandy's Valent, ranked No. 64 in the country in singles, took down Zyhmantovich 6-1, 6-2 at No. 1. The match clinching point was delivered by Newman, as he got the best of Issa at No. 3, 6-4, 6-1.
Morell was in a tight match, but couldn't recover from losing a first set tiebreak, as Johnson took the win, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3. Negre Fernandez dropped a close first set, but cruised through the second set. It came down to a third set match tiebreak, where Vandy's Ryan Smith pulled away late in the tiebreak to win the match 6-4, 2-6, 1-0 (10-7).
The lone MT win in the match came at the No. 5 spot in the lineup. Freshman Zatar Cordero took the three-set thriller, 6-3, 0-6, 6-3. Zatar Cordero had his serve working the entire match, and his volleys put him in good shape to win many points.
The 1-1 Raiders will look to rebound at the Adams Tennis Complex against Xavier and Murray State on Jan. 23 at 1 and 5 p.m., respectively.
For updates and information on promotions and matches throughout the year, follow @MT_MensTennis on Twitter.
No. 25 Vanderbilt vs Middle Tennessee
1/18/2016 at Murfreesboro, Tenn.
No. 25 Vanderbilt 6, Middle Tennessee 1
Singles competition
1. #64 Daniel Valent (VU) def. Dima Zyhmantovich (MT) 6-1, 6-2
2. Rhys Johnson (VU) def. Gonzalo Morell (MT) 7-6 (7-4), 6-3
3. Baker Newman (VU) def. Gian Issa (MT) 6-4, 6-1
4. Cameron Klinger (VU) def. Robin Riethmueller (MT) 6-4, 6-3
5. Ayed Zatar Cordero (MT) def. Kris Yee (VU) 6-3, 0-6, 6-3
6. Ryan Smith (VU) def. Miguel Negre (MT) 6-4, 2-6, 1-0 (10-7)
Doubles competition
1. Rhys Johnson/Cameron Klinger (VU) def. Dima Zyhmantovich/Gonzalo Morell (MT) 6-4
2. Pen Binet/Ryan Smith (VU) vs. Gian Issa/Miguel Negre (MT) 5-5
3. Daniel Valent/Baker Newman (VU) def. Ayed Zatar Cordero/Robin Riethmueller (MT) 6-2
Match Notes:
No. 25 Vanderbilt 3-0
Middle Tennessee 1-1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (4,1,3,2,6,5)
Official: Ted Mason T-2:20 A-526
Players Mentioned
MTSU Tennis Pro-Am 9/6/25
Tuesday, September 09
Facility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
Men's Tennis NCAA Selection Show Watch Party on 04/28/25
Tuesday, April 29
MTSU Men's Tennis CUSA Championship vs Liberty Recap on 04/20/25
Wednesday, April 23