Rastrojo Claims No. 6 Win at TCU

FORT WORTH – Jose Maria Rastrojo scored a line-six win but third-ranked TCU knocked off Abilene Christian in both teams' season opener 6-1 on Saturday.
 
"We challenged the team to set a high bar to start the season," said ACU Head Coach Juan Nunez. "You never want to go lower than that standard the rest of the season and they set the bar high today. I think that's the best we've played them."
 
Rastrojo, a junior from Spain, cruised to an 8-2 win for the Wildcats over Luke Swan.
 
"Jose took care of business and got a good win," Nunez. "Really happy with his effort and the result."
 
After getting blanked in the first set at No. 4 singles, Savan Chhabra pushed TCU's Sebastian Gorzny to three sets before falling 6-0, 6-7 (4-6), 6-4.
 
"Savan played really well," said Nunez. "He's starting to understand that he can dictate with his serve and forehand."
 
ACU's Dario Kmet pushed 28th-ranked Sander Jong but fell 6-3, 6-2 in the first slot.
 
Daniel Morozov lost in two hard-fought sets, falling 6-4, 7-6, in No. 3 singles.
 
"Danny and Dario played at a high level today," Nunez said. "They looked good today and the results are coming."
 
Elsewhere in singles, Cesar Barranquero took five games at No. 3 and Benjamin McDonald scored six at No. 5.
 
"Cesar really played well against a tough opponent on his home court," Nunez said. "He fell off a bit in the second set, but he belongs on the same court with his opponent. I was really pleased with Ben's effort. He was tested but he settled in and played well in both sets."
 
Morozov and Rastrojo lost at No. 2 doubles, 6-1, and Chhabra and Ethan Scribner took a 6-4 loss at No. 3.
 
"In doubles, we have some things to work on but I like what I saw today," said Nunez. "That's a tough first match for Ethan but once I talked to him he responded. He belongs on the court without a doubt."
 
The Wildcats open at home on Friday, taking on Lubbock Christian at noon and Hardin-Simmons at 5 p.m.