TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama men’s tennis program (9-8) dropped a 5-2 decision to No. 18 Tennessee (12-5) Thursday afternoon at the Alabama Tennis Stadium.
After dropping the first doubles match on court one, Alabama pair Joao Ferreira and Matias Ponce De Leon responded with a 6-3 victory on court three to force a doubles-point clinching match on court two. Crimson Tide duo German Samofalov and Yair Sarouk would eventually fall 7-6 (5) as Tennessee secured the doubles point of the afternoon.
In singles play, Zach Foster would claim Alabama’s first win of the day via a 6-2, 6-4 performance on court six to bring the Tide within one. Ponce De Leon would grab UA’s second point of the match on court three behind a 6-4, 7-6 (4) showing.
The Volunteers would register wins on courts four, one and five, respectively, before the Tide’s No. 63 Enzo Aguiard forced the only three-set battle of the afternoon. Despite the effort, Tennessee’s No. 62 Emile Hudd would outlast Aguiard, 7-6 (1), 4-6, 1-0 (10-8) on court two to earn the Volunteers’ fifth and final point of the match.
“We created plenty of opportunities today but this time the chips didn’t all fall our way. Yair (Sarouk) was a late scratch following the doubles and Zach (Foster) responded extremely well, especially after not expecting to play in singles. Matias (Ponce De Leon) continues to find his groove and we’re chipping away at other spots. We continue to develop and improve. It’s clear that we’re making progress so the work will continue and our ability to respond will strengthen.”
Match vs. No. 18 Tennessee
- Tennessee outlasted Alabama to emerge victorious in doubles play after clenching the deciding point on court two, as Vols duo Emile Hudd and Shunsuke Mitsui won, 7-6 (5), over UA pair Samofalov/Sarouk
- Georgia’s #120 Shunsuke Mitsui defeated Samofalov on court four, 6-3, 6-3, to give the Volunteers a 2-0 lead
- Alabama’s Foster cut into that lead via a 6-2, 6-4 victory on court six
- Alabama would fall on two consecutive courts, one (3-6, 6-7 (3)) and five (4-6, 3-6), as Filip Planinsek and Roan Jones, respectively, were outlasted by their opponent
- Ponce De Leon defeated Tennessee’s Blaise Bicknell on court three (6-4, 7-6 (4)
- No. 62 Hudd grabbed the Vols’ fifth and final point on court two (7-6 (1), 4-6, 1-0 (10-8)
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