Alabama Men?s Tennis Falls to Top-Ranked Georgia
3/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- The No. 11 University of Alabama men's tennis team fell to top-ranked Georgia today by a score of 5-2 at the UA Varsity Courts.
"We had some chances in doubles against Georgia and we were up breaks in two of the matches but unfortunately we could not capitalize on those opportunities," said Alabama head coach Billy Pate. "By not winning the doubles point against a team as good as Georgia it hurt our chances winning the match."
Alabama jumped out to a quick lead in doubles on all three courts, however, Georgia rallied back to sweep the Tide and earn the point. The top Georgia pair of John Isner and Luis Flores defeated Mathieu Thibaudeau and Dan Buikema, 8-5, on court one, setting the pace for the remaining two teams.
Georgia's Travis Helgeson and Matic Omerzel finished second on court two, defeating Joseph Jung and Saketh Myneni, 8-6, to clinch the point. Jamie Hunt and Nate Schnugg beat Alabama's Sammy Struyf and Javier Bes, 8-5, concluding the Georgia sweep. Georgia is only the second team this season to capture the doubles point away from the Tide.
Georgia extended its lead to 4-0 after they captured the first three singles matches. Georgia's top singles player, John Isner, clinched the match for his team by defeating Joseph Jung, 6-3, 6-1.
Billy Mertz earned a victory late in the match to put Alabama on the board, beating No. 9 Luis Flores, 7-6, 6-4, at the No. 3 slot. Flores is the highest ranked player defeated by an Alabama player this season. With the win, Mertz became the first Tide tennis player to reach 20 wins this season, improving to 20-6 on the season.
Bes picked up the final Tide victory at the No. 5 slot, defeating No. 79 Nate Schnugg in a super tie-breaker, 6-7, 6-4, 1-0 (6). Bes improves to 15-8 overall, 9-5 in dual matches.
"We rallied back at the end of the match but it was too late. Georgia showed experience in their top four spots of the singles lineup and that was the difference in the match."
Alabama remains at home next weekend, hosting Florida and South Carolina.
-UA-
No. 11 Alabama 2, No. 1 Georgia 5
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
UA Varsity Courts
Time: 4 hrs. 1 min.
Results:
Singles Competition
1. No. 1 John Isner (UGA) def. No. 89 Joseph Jung (UA) 6-3, 6-1
2. No. 11 Travis Helgeson (UGA) def. Sammy Struyf (UA) 6-3, 6-0
3. Billy Mertz (UA) def. No. 9 Luis Flores (UGA) 7-6, 6-4
4. No. 31 Matic Omerzel (UGA) def. No. 121 Mathieu Thibaudeau (UA) 6-0, 6-3
5. Javier Bes (UA) def. No. 79 Nate Schnugg (UGA) 6-7, 6-4, 1-0 (6)
6. No. 86 Jamie Hunt (UGA) def. Saketh Myneni (UA) 7-6, 3-6, 1-0 (8)
Doubles Competition
1. No. 1 John Isner/Luis Flores (UGA) def. No. 28 Dan Buikema/Mathieu Thibaudeau 8-5
2. No. 10 Travis Helgeson/Matic Omerzel (UGA) def. Joseph Jung/Saketh Myneni 8-6
3. No. 59 Jamie Hunt/Nate Schnugg (UGA) def. Sammy Struyf/Javier Bes 8-5
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2*,3); Singles (4,2,1*,3,5,6)
