AUBURN, Ala. — LSU’s 11th-ranked men’s tennis team fended off Auburn, 4-3, thanks to clutch singles wins from Sebastian Rutka on court No. 6 and Jason Hazley on court No. 2.
“That was a hard-fought match,” said LSU head coach Jeff Brown. “Both teams were scrappy. We were able to have enough left at the end.
The Tigers (12-3, 4-3) swept the doubles point, including a win by 23rd-ranked Bryan Fisher and Hazley on court No. 1 over 29th-ranked Gabor Zoltan Pelva and Alex Schweizer.
LSU’s Cory Ross toppled Brent Goedjen at No. 6 singles, just before No. 28-ranked Ken Skupski was upended on court No. 1 by Auburn’s 95th-ranked Zoltan Pelva.
Hazley knocked off Auburn’s Alex Schweizer on court No. 2. Rutka followed with a match-clinching win on Court No. 5.
“Hazley beat a good player on his home court and he is to be commended,” Brown said. “That allowed Sebastian [Rutka] to come in and clinch it for us.”
LSU will try to complete their first perfect SEC weekend Sunday when they travel to Alabama.
#11 LSU 4, Auburn 3
DOUBLES
1. Fisher/Hazley (LSU) def. (AU) 8-5 2nd
2. Ross/Rutka (LSU) def. Hunter/Lane (AU) 8-5 3rd
3. Richman/Skupski (LSU) def. Lathouwers/Taylor (AU) 8-2 1st
SINGLES
1. Gabor Zoltan Pelva (AU) def. Ken Skupski (LSU) 6-2, 6-2 2nd
2. Jason Hazley (LSU) def. Alex Schweizer (AU) 6-4, 7-6 4th
3. Robbert Lathouwers (AU) def. Peter Richman (LSU) 7-6, 7-5 3rd
4. Nick Lane (AU) def. Bryan Fisher (LSU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 6th
5. Sebastian Rutka (LSU) def. Brett Hunter (AU) 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 5th
6. Cory Ross (LSU) def. Brent Goedjen (AU) 6-0, 6-1 1st