Nesterov's Third Set Win Powers Alabama Men's Tennis Over No. 23 South Carolina, 4-3

Sunday, March 1

Columbia, S.C.

11 a.m. CT

Alabama

South Carolina

Nesterov's Third Set Win Powers Alabama Men's Tennis Over No. 23 South Carolina, 4-3

3/1/2020 3:37:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score Final Results (PDF)

The Crimson Tide now moves to a 10-4 record with a 1-1 conference mark

COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 27 Alabama men's tennis came out victorious in a back-and-forth match against No. 23 South Carolina at the Carolina Tennis Center Sunday afternoon. The Crimson Tide moves to 10-4 overall and 1-1 in Southeastern Conference play, while the Gamecocks now have an 8-4 overall mark and are 1-1 in conference matches.

From Coach George Husack

"We asked the guys today what they were going to bring to the team. We got out-competed on Friday and that couldn't happen again. Stop thinking and start competing was our call to order."
"They set the tone in doubles and that sense of urgency carried forward into singles. South Carolina was equally ready. We've had so many close matches with them. It's uncanny that today's clincher came on the same court as it did two years ago and also for Alexey who has been in this situation three other times this season. So happy for him to have this moment again and close it out. Super effort and great resolve."

Doubles

After junior Patrick Kaukovalta and senior Alexey Nesterov dropped the first match, Alabama responded strong to win the next two and earn the one-point advantage. Senior Edson Ortiz and freshman Marcelo Sepulveda Garza topped their opponent, 6-2, while junior Riccardo Roberto and senior Zhe Zhou earned a 6-4 victory.

Singles

The Crimson Tide battled hard in singles play, winning three of the six singles matches. Junior Patrick Kaukovalta and freshman Jeremy Gschwendtner picked up individual wins bringing their records to 10-2 and 9-2 respectively. After the Gamecocks' three wins to tie up the match, Nesterov clinched the match for Tide in a third set win, 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-2.

Up Next

Alabama will return to action on Friday, Mar. 6 at 6 p.m. CT to host Kentucky at the Alabama Tennis Stadium. Admission to Alabama Tennis is always free.

Alabama Results

Doubles

Jubb/Lambling def. Kaukovalta/Nesterov, 6-2
Ortiz/Sepulveda Garza def. Jordan/Thomson, 6-2
Roberto/Zhou def. Rodrigues/Beasley, 6-4

Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3

Singles

No. 48 Paul Jubb def. No. 80 Edson Ortiz, 6-0, 6-1
No. 36 Daniel Rodrigues def. Zhe Zhou, 6-3, 7-6
No. 38 Raphael Lambing def. No. 125 Riccardo Roberto, 6-4, 6-1
Patrick Kaukovalta def. No. 115 Connor Thomson, 6-4, 6-2
Alexey Nesterov def. Phillip Jordan, 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-2
Jeremy Gschwendtner def. Beau Pelletier, 6-3, 7-6

Order of Finish: 1, 3, 4, 2, 6, 5

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