LOGAN, Utah – Utah State men's tennis (10-4, 1-0 MW) opened the Mountain West portion of its season Thursday, posting a 4-1 win over San Diego State (3-9, 0-2 MW).

The Aztecs scored their sole point early, taking control in doubles play. After San Diego State took the first two matches, the third was left unfinished.

Utah State quickly took control in singles action, however. Sophomore Roko Savin picked up the first win, defeating Rafael Gonzalez (6-4, 6-2) in the No. 4 position. The Aggies then took the lead as redshirt freshman Souf El Mesbahi posted a straight-set win (6-3, 6-2) over Victor Castro at No. 2.

The remaining singles matches turned into three-set battles. Sophomore Javier Ruiz put the Aggies up 3-1 as he posted a win over Roni Rikkonen (6-1, 2-6, 6-4) in the No. 5 position. Senior Felipe Acosta bounced back after dropping his first set to clinch the match for USU, defeating Ignacio Martinez (4-6, 6-2, 6-0) in the No. 3 spot.

With the match clinched, play concluded, leaving the other two matches unfinished. In the No. 1 position, fifth-year Sergiu Bucur had fought through two tiebreak sets, and was ahead 1-0 in his third. Freshman Keanu Rigby was one serve away from winning his three-set match in the No. 6 position.

The Aggies take to the road next, playing at UNLV on Saturday, April 3, at 1 p.m. (MT).

Fans can follow USU's men's tennis team on Twitter @USUMensTennis, on Facebook at UtahStateMensTennis or on Instagram at USUMensTennis. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter at @USUAthletics, on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics or on Instagram at @USU Athletics.

RESULTS
Utah State 4, San Diego State 1
Doubles
1. Victor Castro/Johannes Seeman (SDSU) def. Felipe Acosta/Javier Ruiz 6-4
2. Ignacio Martinez/Judson Blair (SDSU) def. Sergiu Bucur/Souf El Mesbahi 6-2
3. Jack Ninteman/Roko Savin (USU) vs. Rafael Gonzalez/Aaro Pollanen 4-5, unfinished

Singles
1. Sergiu Bucur (USU) vs. Johannes Seeman (SDSU) 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-3), 1-0, unfinished
2. Souf El Mesbahi (USU) def. Victor Castro (SDSU) 6-3, 6-2
3. Felipe Acosta (USU) def. Ignacio Martinez (SDSU) 4-6, 6-2, 6-0
4. Roko Savin (USU) def. Rafael Gonzalez (SDSU) 6-4, 6-2
5. Javier Ruiz (USU) def. Roni Rikkonen (SDSU) 6-1, 2-6, 6-4
6. Keanu Rigby (USU) vs. Judson Blair (SDSU) 6-3, 3-6, 5-4, unfinished

Match Notes
Utah State: 10-4, 1-0 MW
San Diego State: 3-9, 0-2 MW
Order of Finish: Doubles - 2, 1; Singles - 4, 2, 5, 3