Alabama Men’s Tennis Completes Day Two of SEC Coaches Classic
11/5/2016 7:12:00 PM | Men's Tennis
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama men's tennis team collected eight singles wins while posting a perfect 3-0 mark in doubles play in the second day of the Southeastern Conference Coaches Classic Presented by Hampton Inn by Hilton on Saturday afternoon at the Alabama Tennis Stadium. The Crimson Tide's sophomores Mazen Osama and Spencer Richey were named champions of the Ellis Ferriera doubles draw.
Osama and Richey partnered up to top Gabor Csonka and Julian Saborio of LSU in an 8-6 decision to claim the championship of their respective draw. Additionally, the duo registered an impressive 3-0 mark over the weekend. Senior Ritchie Kruunenberg and freshman Alexey Nesterov outlasted Florida's Chase Blanco and McClain Kessler, 8-7(5), before senior Hayes Brewer and freshman Thibault Cancel picked up the Tide's final doubles victory of the day in a 8-7(6) decision over Rafael Wagner and Sanardzic of LSU.
Cancel had a notable singles performance on the day, as he defeated two nationally ranked opponents in straight sets to advance to the championship match of the Francisco Rodriguez singles draw. In his first singles match, Cancel knocked off Florida's No. 76 ranked Chase Perez-Blanco, 7-5, 6-4. Cancel continued that same rhythm in the second match, as he went on to top No. 30 ranked Gabriel Friedrich of South Carolina in a soundly fashion, 6-3, 6-1. In tomorrow's championship match, Cancel will take on Tim Sandkaulen of Ole Miss.
The Tide's No. 34 ranked singles player in Osama won both of his singles matches in straight sets to advance to the championship match of the Jeff Robinson singles draw. Osama topped Florida's Joseph Guillin in a 7-6(1), 6-3 decision, before going on to defeat South Carolina's No. 96 ranked singles play in Harrison O'Keefe, 6-2, 6-1. The talented sophomore will square off against Kentucky's Trey Yates in tomorrow's championship match.
Nesterov also had a quality singles outing, as he outlasted No. 62 Max Hinnisdaels of Auburn in a three set thriller, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. The gifted freshman went on to defeat Kentucky's Alex Dominguez in another match that was decided in three sets, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(4), to advance to the consolation championship of the Francisco Rodriguez singles draw. Nesterov will take on Vanderbilt's Tate Allwardt in the championship match.
Kruunenberg's lone singles win of the day came against LSU's Cameron Andry and it was in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.
Richey registered his solo singles victory of the day against Juan Marino of Arkansas in a match that was decided in three frames, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3.
Alabama's draws in the 2016 SEC Coaches Classic are named after six previous ITA All-Americans. The three singles draws are named after Jeff Robinson, Francisco Rodriguez and John Stimpson. Robinson was named an All-American in 1976 and 1977, and Rodriguez earned the prestigious accolade in 1998 and 1999. Stimpson was named to the singles All-American list in the 1990 season. The three doubles draws are named after Ellis Ferreira, Andy Solis and Greg Hahn. Ferreira was named an All-American in 1989 and 1991. Solis and Hahn partnered up to earn the honor in 1985, and Hahn went on to earn the accolade the following year as well, 1986.
There will only be one round of singles that takes place on Sunday, and that flight is set to begin at 9 a.m. CT.
Alabama Results:
Singles Results:
Thibault Cancel (Alabama) defeated Gabriel Friedrich (South Carolina) 6-3, 6-1
Thibault Cancel (Alabama) defeated Chase Blanco (Florida) 7-5, 6-4
Alexey Nesterov (Alabama) defeated Max Hinnisdaels (Auburn) 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
Trey Yates (Kentucky) defeated Spencer Richey (Alabama) 7-6(1), 6-3
Mazen Osama (Alabama) defeated Joseph Guillin (Florida) 7-6(1), 6-3
Branch Terrell (Arkansas) defeated Hayes Brewer (Alabama) 7-1, 7-6(3)
Ritchie Kruunenberg (Alabama) defeated Cameron Andry (LSU) 6-2, 6-2
Austin Rabel (Arkansas) defeated Hayes Brewer (Alabama) 6-4, 6-4
Mazen Osama (Alabama) defeated Harrison O'Keefe (South Carolina) 6-2, 6-1
Alexey Nesterov (Alabama) defeated Alex Dominguez (Kentucky) 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(4)
Spencer Richey (Alabama) defeated Juan Marino (Arkansas) 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3
Doubles Results:
Osama/Richey (Alabama) defeated Csonka/Saborio (LSU) 8-6
Kruunenberg/Nesterov (Alabama) defeated Blanco/Kessler (Florida) 8-7(5)
Brewer/Cancel (Alabama) defeated Sanardzic/Wagner (LSU) 8-7(6)
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Players Mentioned
