Alabama
Georgia
No. 25 Alabama Men’s Tennis Captures Thrilling 4-3 Victory over Georgia
2/28/2025 11:27:00 PM | Men's Tennis
The Crimson Tide used four singles wins to secure the victory, including a come-from-behind three-set battle from Carlos Gimenez Perez
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – In an exciting Friday night thriller, the No. 25 Alabama men's tennis team (9-3, 1-2 SEC) secured a 4-3 victory over Georgia (7-5, 1-1 SEC).
After falling behind 2-0 in the match, the Crimson Tide rattled off three singles wins from Matic Kriznik, Filip Planinsek and Matias Ponce De Leon to take a narrow lead. Georgia would again tie the overall competition at 3-3, but a come-from-behind battle on court six from Carlos Gimenez Perez clinched the victory for the Tide.
From Head Coach George Husack
"Strength in numbers tonight. Great crowd, Million Dollar Band and all 10 guys willing themselves and each other to victory. Super response after dropping a tight doubles point and what an SEC debut for Carlos. He was called into action tonight and was relentless. His engine kept motoring along. A memorable and unforgettable moment. Happy and proud of him and the team. There may have been some doubt after last weekend, but these guys just got off the ropes and kept on fighting."
Match Notes
- A dominant performance on court two by Damien Nezar and Andrii Zimnokh gave Alabama the first win of the day, but Georgia would claim the first point, securing the deciding match off a 9-7 tiebreaker at the No. 1 spot
- Georgia followed with the first singles point, but three back-to-back victories from Matic Kriznik, Filip Planinsek and Matias Ponce De Leon, respectively, gave UA the lead
- Kriznik secured a straight-set, 6-1, 6-2 victory on court five, before Planinsek downed No. 38 ranked Miguel Perez Pena 6-4, 6-3 on court one
- Ponce De Leon moved the Tide out to match point with a 6-4, 6-4 victory on court three against 20th-ranked Thomas Paulsell
- Carlos Gimenez Perez battled for a come-from-behind win, including securing a crucial 7-5 tiebreak score in the second set
- The UA junior posted a 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-2 decision in his conference debut to claim the victory for Alabama
- Planinsek captured his ninth singles victory in the match to remain undefeated in dual match play
Next
- Alabama will host Vanderbilt on Sunday at the Alabama Tennis Stadium
- The match against the Commodores is set to begin at 1 p.m. CT
Results
Doubles
- Thomas Paulsell/Oscar Pinto (UGA) def. #41 Matic Kriznik/Filip Planinsek (UA) 7-6 (7)
- Damien Nezar/Andrii Zimnokh (UA) def. Niels Ratiu/Ryan Colby (UGA) 6-1
- Miguel Perez Pena def. Roan Jones/Matias Ponce De Leon (UA) 6-3
Order of Finish: 2,3,1
Singles
- #23 Filip Planinsek (UA) def. #38 Miguel Perez Pena (UGA) 6-4, 6-3
- #46 Ryan Colby (UGA) def. #59 Roan Jones (UA) 6-1, 6-0
- Matias Ponce De Leon (UA) def. #20 Thomas Paulsell (UGA) 6-4-6-4
- Oscar Pinto (UGA) def. Andrii Zimnokh (UA) 2-6, 6-0, 7-5
- Matic Kriznik (UA) def. Niels Ratiu (UGA) 6-1, 6-2
- Carlos Gimenez Perez (UA) def. Gabriele Vulpitta (UGA) 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-2
Order of Finish 2,5,1,3,4,6
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
2,3,1
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
2,5,1,3,4,6
Players Mentioned
