GAINESVILLE, Fla. – After experiencing close calls in two of their last three matches, the No. 25 LSU men’s tennis team found themselves in another close one on Friday afternoon in Gainesville before eventually falling to the No. 16 Gators by a score of 4-2.
Things were neck and neck from the start with the doubles point being decided by a court-one tiebreaker which ultimately had Florida (11-6, 6-3 SEC) prevailing. This marks only the fourth time all season LSU (15-5, 5-4 SEC) failed to clinch the opening point.
The Tigers did not panic and responded by winning four of the first six sets as junior Boris Arias tied the match with his 6-4, 6-1 victory on court four before Florida eventually clinched the match on court two.
“A close doubles point went against us,” said head coach Jeff Brown. “We got four first sets after that so we gave ourselves a chance but we hurt ourselves with a couple straight-set losses that made it too much.”
LSU will continue the road trip on Sunday when they travel to No. 46 Auburn for a 1 pm CST SEC road match.
For up-to-date information and behind-the-scenes access on the Tigers, fans can follow the LSU men’s tennis team on Twitter and Instagram at @lsutennis and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lsutennis.
Florida vs LSU
April 3, 2015 at Gainesville, Fla.
#16 Florida 4, #25 LSU 1
Singles competition
1. #75 Jordan Daigle (LSU) unfinished #71 Diego Hidalgo (UF) 3-6, 6-1, 5-4
2. #115 Elliott Orkin (UF) def. Chris Simpson (LSU) 5-7, 6-3, 6-2
3. Gordon Watson (UF) def. Tam Trinh (LSU) 6-3, 6-3
4. Boris Arias (LSU) def. #118 Maxx Lipman (UF) 6-4, 6-1
5. Chase Perez-Blanco (UF) def. Justin Butsch (LSU) 6-2, 6-3
6. Andrew Korinek (LSU) def. Jordan Belga (LSU) 7-6, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. #42 Hidalgo/Watson (UF) def #20 Arias/Daigle (LSU) 7-6(6)
2. Lipman/Orkin (UF) def. Perez/Trinh (LSU) 6-4
3. Chris Simpson/Justin Butsch (LSU) def. #62 Landert/Wardell (ARK) 6-1
Match Notes:
Florida 11-6 (6-3 SEC); National ranking #16
LSU 15-5 (5-4 SEC); National ranking #25
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (4,5,3,6,2)