Alabama
Middle Tennessee
No. 20 Alabama Captures 4-2 Win against Middle Tennessee, Sweeps Alabama A&M 4-0
2/2/2025 7:04:00 PM | Men's Tennis
The Crimson Tide captured its fourth and fifth victory at the Roberta Alison Baumgardner Tennis Facility with its wins over the Blue Raiders and Bulldogs
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – After a contested 4-2 victory against Middle Tennessee (3-4), the No. 20 Alabama men's tennis team (6-1) swept Alabama A&M (0-4) with a 4-0 victory on Sunday.
The Crimson Tide secured the doubles point in both matches, paced by a two-win day from the pairing of Zach Foster and Carlos Gimenez Perez. The 67th-ranked Roan Jones secured a pair of singles wins on court one, while Matias Ponce De Leon captured two wins and the deciding point in both matches on court two. Andrii Zimnokh and Carlos Gimenez Perez also captured singles wins, while the doubles pairings of Jones and Ponce De Leon as well as Zimnokh and Damien Nezar each recorded a doubles victory during the day's events.
From Head Coach George Husack
"Terrific weekend for the team and an excellent performance from start to finish today. We were shorthanded, but our guys responded very well, expecting the best while being prepared for the challenge. MTSU is a five-time consecutive Conference USA champion and used to winning. To step in the ring with them, and also face A&M later in the day, requires some stamina and inner belief.
"Roan has had incomplete matches the last few times out on court and was determined to contribute to the team score today. His effort was more than commendable as he filled the top spot again. Andrii was lights out and there is a reason why Matias is known as the beast. Great stuff across the board. Doubles was solid, so our practices are leading to improvement in each match.
"A super set of home crowds both Friday and today. So grateful for the Bama fans and the opportunity to compete for this university. Back at it again after a day off with preparation to face a very good Florida State team next Saturday in Tallahassee."
Match Notes
- Carlos Gimenez Perez and Zach Foster won the first doubles match against both Middle Tennessee and Alabama A&M
- The UA duo secured a 6-4 victory against Shu Matsuoka and Jakub Kroslak (MTSU), before downing Kia Cowcher and Yin Chih Lan (AAMU) 6-0
- The doubles pairing of Damien Nezar and Andrii Zimnokh clinched the opening point for Alabama against the Blue Raiders, 6-4, on court one, while Roan Jones and Matias Ponce De Leon secured a 6-2 victory on court two against the Bulldogs
- In singles action, Andrii Zimnokh recorded the first point against Middle Tennessee to give Alabama a 2-0 lead
- The Blue Raiders won court five, but Roan Jones defeated 98th-ranked Karim Al-Amin 7-5, 6-2 to move UA to a 3-1 lead
- MTSU would again close the gap with a victory on court four, but Ponce De Leon clinched the win with a 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 come-from-behind decision on court two
- In the second match of the day, Gimenez Perez swept his opponent on court six, 6-0, 6-0 while Jones dropped just two games on the top court for a 6-0, 6-2 victory
- Ponce De Leon would once again claim match point, downing his court two opponent 6-1, 6-1
Next
- Alabama will face Florida State in a road match on Feb. 8
- The match in Tallahassee, Fla., is set to begin at 12 p.m. CT
MTSU Results
Doubles
- Damien Nezar/Andrii Zimnokh (UA) def. #45 Ondrej Horak/Karim Al-Amin (MTSU) 6-4
- Roan Jones/Matias Ponce De Leon (UA) vs. Kacper Szymkowiak/Rostislav Halfinger (MTSU) 5-6, unfinished
- Zach Foster/Carlos Gimenez Perez (UA) def. Shu Matsuoka/Jakub Kroslak (MTSU) 6-4
Order of Finish: 3,1
Singles
- #67 Roan Jones (UA) def. #98 Karim Al-Amin (MTSU) 7-5, 6-2
- Matias Ponce De Leon (UA) def. Jakub Kroslak (MTSU) 3-6, 6-0, 6-2
- Andrii Zimnokh (UA) def. Shu Matsuoka (MTSU) 6-0, 6-2
- Kacper Szymkowiak (MTSU) def. Damien Nezar (UA) 6-4, 7-6 (7-5)
- Ondrej Horak (MTSU) def. Carlos Gimenez Perez (UA) 6-2, 6-1
- Zach Foster (UA) vs. Rostislav Halfinger (MTSU) 4-6, 6-3, 2-3, unfinished
Order of Finish: 3,5,1,4,2
Alabama A&M Results
Doubles
- Damien Nezar/Andrii Zimnokh (UA) vs. Kai Cowcher/Yin Chih Lan (AAMU) 5-2, unfinished
- Roan Jones/Matias Ponce De Leon (UA) def. Arnav Pathange/Goran Krivokapic (AAMU) 6-2
- Zach Foster/Carlos Gimenez Perez (UA) def. Freddie Lawrence/Lebogang Mashego (AAMU) 6-0
Order of Finish: 3,1
Singles
- #67 Roan Jones (UA) def. Kai Cowcher (AAMU) 6-0, 6-2
- Matias Ponce De Leon (UA) def. Yin Chih Lan (AAMU) 6-1, 6-1
- Andrii Zimnokh (UA) vs. Arnav Pathange (AAMU) 6-1, 4-2, unfinished
- Damien Nezar (UA) vs. Goran Krivokapic (AAMU) 6-3, 1-2, unfinished
- Zach Foster (UA) vs. Freddie Lawrence (AAMU) 6-0, 4-2, unfinished
- Carlos Gimenez Perez (UA) def. Lebogang Mashego (AAMU) 6-0, 6-0
Order of Finish: 6,1,2
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
3,1
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
3,5,1,4,2
Players Mentioned
