NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The No. 13-ranked Tigers rolled up Alabama, 4-0 in Thursday’s first round of the SEC Tournament.
The win sets up a quarterfinal rematch between fifth-seed LSU and fourth-seed Kentucky. The Wildcats handed the Tigers their worst loss of the season on March 19 in Lexington.
LSU (17-5, 7-4 SEC) polished off the Tide quickly in doubles, beginning with an 8-3 win by Ken Skupski and Peter Richman on court No. 3.
Bryan Fisher and Jason Hazley completed the Tigers’ 11th consecutive doubles point win with a victory over 49th-ranked Stephen Mitchell and Chris Gostek.
It was the fourth-consecutive win for Fisher and Hazley, who were named Second-team All-SEC on Wednesday night.
“We came out with a lot of intensity in doubles,” said LSU head coach Jeff Brown. “That’s something you worry about in an 8 a.m. match, but our guys handled everything about the morning with a lot of professionalism.”
Hazley clinched the match in his second set at No. 2 singles with a 6-4, 7-6 (5) win over Gostek.
Bryan Fisher and Sebsatian Rutka also added straight-set singles wins for the Tigers on courts No. 3 and No. 5
“We look forward to playing Kentucky to see if we can turn things around from our last match with them,” Brown said.
Tomorrow’s quarterfinal match against Kentucky begins at 8 a.m.
#13 LSU 5, #43 Alabama 0
Singles competition:
1. #30 Ken Skupski (LSU) vs. #42 Stephen Mitchell (ALA) 6-4, 4-6, 2-0, unfinished
2. Jason Hazley (LSU) def. Chris Gostek (ALA) 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)
3. Bryan Fisher (LSU) def. Joseph Jung (ALA) 6-4, 6-3
4. Peter Richman (LSU) vs. Eric Molnar (ALA) 4-6, 7-5, unfinished
5. Sebastian Rutka (LSU) def. R.J. Murray (ALA) 6-0, 7-6
6. Cory Ross (LSU) vs. Mike Green (ALA) 3-2, unfinished
Doubles competition:
1. #16 Bryan Fisher/Jason Hazley (LSU) def. #49 Chris Gostek/Stephen Mitchell (ALA) 8-3
2. #44 Cory Ross/Sebastian Rutka (LSU) vs. Joseph Jung/R.J. Murray (ALA) 6-3, unfinished
3. Ken Skupski/Peter Richman (LSU) def. Eric Molnar/Mike Green (ALA) 8-3
Match Notes:
Alabama 10-14, 2-9 SEC; National ranking #43
LSU 17-5, 7-4 SEC; National ranking #13
Order of Finish: Doubles (3, 1, -) Singles (3,5,2,-,-,-)
Clinchers: Doubles (1) Singles (2)