KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Senior Julien Gautheir picked up both a singles and doubles win on day one of the SEC Indoor Championships at the University of Tennessee’s Goodfriend Indoor Tennis Center on Friday.
In doubles Gauthier teamed up with sophomore Stefan Szacinski and started the day off strong by taking down the No. 54 Florida pair of Billy Federhofer and Andrw Butz, 8-6, in the round of 32. In the round of 16 the Tiger tandem fought hard, but ultimately fell to 23rd-ranked Sadio Doumbia and Ignacio Taboada of Georgia, 8-3.
In singles action Gauthier notched a straight-set victory over Mississippi State’s Max Gregor 6-2, 6-2 in the round of 64. The Repentigny, Canada, native will square-off tomorrow against Kentucky’s 72nd-ranked Alberto Gonzales in the round of 32.
Junior Neal Skupski is also in the round of 32 after receiving a first round bye.
“Julien came out and had a very solid day,” LSU assistant coach Danny Bryan said. “He continued to build off his success from last week. Some guys didn’t play as well as they would have hoped, but they are looking forward to getting back on the court tomorrow and correcting their mistakes.”
The action kicks-off tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. CDT and continues all day with singles, doubles and consolation rounds.
SEC Indoor Championships
Jan. 14-17
Goodfriend Indoor Tennis Center
Knoxville, Tenn.
Singles Results
Round of 64
Julien Gauthier (LSU) def. Max Gregor (MSU), 6-2, 6-2
Michael Alford (UF) def. Stefan Szacinski (LSU), 6-4, 7-5
Brad Cox (UK) def. Sebastian Carlsson (LSU, 7-6, 6-1
Doubles Results
Round of 32
Julien Gauthier/Stefan Szacinski (LSU) def. #54 Billy Federhofer/Andrew Butz (UF), 8-6
Michael Alford/Sekou Bangoura Jr. (UF) def. #27 Sebastian Carlsson/Neal Skupski (LSU), 8-6
Round of 16
#23 Sadio Doumbia/Ignacio Taboada (UGA) def. Julien Gauthier/Stefan Szacinski (LSU) 8-3