Alabama Tops No. 17 Auburn in Exciting 4-3 Victory

Sunday, April 9

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1 P.M. CT

Alabama

Auburn

Alabama Tops No. 17 Auburn in Exciting 4-3 Victory

4/9/2023 5:48:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score Photo Gallery

The Crimson Tide found back-to-back wins from Zach Foster and Roan Jones, respectively, to clinch the victory over the Tigers

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. –– In its last home match of the regular season, the Alabama men's tennis team recorded an exciting 4-3 victory over the No. 17 nationally ranked Auburn Tigers on Sunday at the Alabama Tennis Stadium.

Auburn (17-8, 5-5 SEC) opened the match with a 1-0 advantage after winning doubles courts three and one, respectively. Matias Ponce De Leon evened the score with a singles win on court three. Auburn moved ahead again with a victory on court one, but Enzo Aguiard made it 2-2 with a victory at the No. 2 spot. The Tigers would once again take the lead with a win on court four, but back-to-back three-set victories from Zach Foster on court six and Roan Jones on court five clinched the win for Alabama (10-14, 2-9 SEC).

The win was the second top-20 victory for the Tide this season, as UA also defeated then-No. 16 Florida in March.

Competing at the same time at the Alabama Tennis Stadium, the Alabama adapted tennis team defeated Auburn, 3-0, recording a doubles victory and two singles wins against the Tigers.

From Alabama Men's Tennis Head Coach George Husack

"A unique and celebratory day this afternoon with our Adapted Athletics tennis team. Coach Evan (Enquist) and I have been talking about this for years and very happy we were able to compete together and take home the tennis Iron Bowl on both sides of the facility today.

"A very gritty team performance today. Our 11^th 4-3 match of the season. While we've come up short more times than we've wanted, we have become so accustomed to going the distance. That says a lot about these guys, their ability, their resilience and their continued development as competitors. Roan (Jones) didn't play Friday because he had been struggling to hold his head high in matches. He certainly committed himself to competing today with excitement, enthusiasm and a dash of cheekiness. He never once stepped away from the challenges and opportunities in front of him. A tremendous effort. Zach (Foster) found himself on the losing end of a 4-3 heartbreaker against Ole Miss. He didn't let that result impact today's competition. In fact, I believe it fueled him. He was ready to go in doubles, and while nagging shoulder pain nearly removed him from the singles lineup, his willingness and belief never wavered. A super performance."

From Adapted Tennis Head Coach Evan Enquist

"So pleased we had a double win against Auburn today. It was a phenomenal atmosphere and it was a blast battling side-by-side with the Crimson Tide.

"Hoping the best for Alabama Tennis in the post season."

The Match

Auburn captured the doubles point to start the day with a 1-0 advantage
After a victory on doubles court three, the Tigers posted a narrow win on court one to win the paired event
Matias Ponce De Leon recorded the first win in singles play, posting a 6-3, 6-1 win on court three over Finn Murgett
After the Tigers took a victory on court one, Enzo Aguiard went 6-3, 6-4 on court two against Alejandro Moreno to even the match at 2-2
Auburn moved to match point with a win court four, but Zach Foster battled back from an opening set loss to tie the match at 3-3
Just seconds after Foster's 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 win over Billy Blaydes on court six, Roan Jones clinched the victory for Alabama, defeating Raul Dobai 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 on court five

Alabama will conclude the regular season on Friday, traveling to Fayetteville, Ark., to face the Razorbacks
First serve between the two teams is schedule for 5 p.m. CT

Results

Doubles:

1 | #30 Raul Dobai/Finn Murgett (AUB) def. #78 Filip Planinsek/German Samofalov (UA) 6-4
2 | Enzo Aguiard/Zach Foster (UA) vs. Jan Galka/Billy Blaydes (AUB) 5-5, unfinished
3 | Tyler Stice/Alejandro Moreno (AUB) def. Joao Ferreira/Matias Ponce De Leon (UA) 6-0

Order of Finish (3,1)

Single:

1 | #59 Tyler Stice (AUB) def. #76 Filip Planinsek (UA) 6-4, 6-4
2 | #116 Enzo Aguiard (UA) def. #109 Alejandro Moreno (AUB) 6-3, 6-4
3 | Matias Ponce De Leon (UA) def. Finn Murgett (AUB) 6-3, 6-1
4 | Jan Galka (AUB) def. German Samofalov (UA) 6-4, 6-2
5 | Roan Jones (UA) def. Raul Dobai (AUB) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
6 | Zach Foster (UA) def. Billy Blaydes (AUB) 3-6, 6-4, 6-3

Order of finish (3,1,2,4,6,5)

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