Alabama Men’s Tennis Claims Spots in National Rankings
1/6/2017 10:59:00 AM | Men's Tennis
The Crimson Tide enters the 2017 season with a doubles pair and two singles players nationally ranked
TEMPE, Ariz. – Alabama men's tennis' doubles pair in sophomores Mazen Osama and Spencer Richey enter the 2017 spring season nationally ranked No. 32 in doubles play, while Osama and freshman Thibault Cancel begin the season ranked No. 63 and No. 78 in singles play, respectively, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced.
Osama and Richey posted a perfect 3-0 record together this fall to earn their No. 32 ranking. The duo's most significant win came in an 8-6 decision over South Carolina's No. 16 ranked doubles pair in Harrison O'Keefe and Gabriel Friedrich.
In singles play, Osama compiled an 8-3 record to earn a No. 63 ranking to start the spring. Osama's most noteworthy win of the fall came in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, against the Gamecocks' O'Keefe, who is ranked 96th.
Cancel proved to be an immediate impact to the Tide roster, as the newcomer tallied a 6-2 mark in singles play in the fall. The talented freshman defeated two nationally ranked opponents in straight sets in the SEC Coaches Classic, as he topped Florida's No. 76 ranked singles player in Chase Perez-Blanco, 7-5, 6-4, before defeating No. 30 Friedrich of South Carolina, 6-3, 6-1. Cancel went on to win the singles championship of his respective draw in the tournament.
The Crimson Tide opens the 2017 season with a doubleheader on Monday, Jan. 16, when it hosts East Tennessee State at 1 p.m. and Samford at 6 p.m. at the Roberta Alison Baumgardner Tennis Facility.
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