Alabama Downs Nebraska, 4-2, in Opening Round of ITA Kickoff Weekend

LEXINGTON, Ky. –– The Alabama men’s tennis team earned a spot in the finals of the Kentucky Regional for the ITA Kickoff Weekend after defeating Nebraska, 4-2, in the opening round on Friday.

Alabama (2-2) secured the opening point, winning courts three and two, respectively, in doubles play. Nebraska (4-1) captured early wins in singles, but the Tide recorded three consecutive victories from No. 35 Filip Planinsek, No. 76 Matias Ponce De Leon and Andrii Zimnokh, respectively, to advance to the championship match.

UA will face 10^th-ranked and host school Kentucky, marking the second time in the last three years the two schools have gone head-to-head in the tournament.

“Challenging night and happy for the guys as they rose to the occasion. We can improve our willingness to accept tough or unlucky situations. That’s tennis. It’s on us coaches to prepare our players to become better at handling things when things aren’t going according to plan. That’s the essence of competing. So onward we go, and we’ll face a tough Kentucky squad in their house. We have the ability and desire so I’m excited for the guys and this opportunity to continue growing.”

The Match

• Nebraska captured the first win of the day, but a 6-3 victory from Matic Dimic and Roan Jones over Leo Linquet and Shunya Maruyama on court three evened the doubles competition
• In a battle for the opening point, the No. 25-ranked team of Filip Planinsek and Andrii Zimnokh emerged victorious in a tiebreaker against Lars Johann and Calvin Mueller for a 7-6 (5) decision on court two   
• Back-to-back singles wins on courts four and two moved the Huskers into the lead, but 35^th-ranked Planinsek went 7-5, 6-2 on court one for a victory over Mueller to even the team score
• No. 76 Ponce De Leon gave UA its third point of the match, fighting through a three-set 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(3) win against Johann on court three
• Zimnokh’s 7-6(4), 6-3 decision on court five against Linquet won the overall match for the Tide  

Next 

• Alabama will face No. 10 and host school Kentucky in the finals on Saturday
• The match will begin at 2 p.m. CT at the Boone Tennis Center

Results

Doubles

1. Anton Shepp and Nic Wiedenhorn (NEB) def. Enzo Aguiard and Zach Foster (UA) 6-3
2. #25 Filip Planinsek and Andrii Zimnokh (UA) def. Lars Johann and Calvin Mueller (NEB) 7-6 (5)
3. Matic Dimic and Roan Jones (UA) def. Leo Linquet and Shunya Maruyama (NEB) 6-3

Order of Finish…