FORT MYERS, Fla. – The spring season has begun as the Tigers took the courts at the FGCU Spring Invitational to prepare for the upcoming dual season.
“This was a great opening to the spring,” Head Coach Jeff Brown said. “The guys competed hard and played well for the first match back. We want to play even better tomorrow and string good matches together.”
To kick off the tournament, the Tigers went five for seven in singles play taking some deciding wins over the Florida Gulf Coast team. Justin Butsch, the newly ranked No. 78 junior took a win over Ricky Ventura of FGCU with a score of 7-6, 6-3.
After coming back to play late in the fall from injury, senior Andrew Korinek competed Friday, starting slow by falling in the first set 1-6 but made a turn around to take the next two sets 6-2, 6-1.
The Tigers also succeeded in doubles, with a performance from duo Boris Arias and Gabor Csonka defeating the Eagles 6-3 in a pro set as well as a win from Simon Freund and Justin Butsch with a score of 6-4.
LSU will take the courts again Saturday at 10 a.m. for the second day of the tournament in Fort Myers.
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.
Friday, January 8
Singles Competition
Justin Butsch (LSU) def. Ricky Ventura (Florida Gulf Coast) 7-6, 6-3
Andrew Korinek (LSU) def. Andres Alfonzo (Florida Gulf Coast) 1-6, 6-2, 6-1
Boris Arias (LSU) def. Oliver Landert (Florida Gulf Coast) 7-5, 6-3
Enduado Alfonzo, (Florida Gulf Coast) def Tam Trinh (LSU) 6-2, 6-2
Ezequiel Cerrini (Florida Gulf Coast) def. Simon Freud (LSU) 6-4, 6-4
Gabor Csonka (LSU) def. Javier Fernandez (Florida Gulf Coast) 6-2, 4-6, 7-5
Cameron Andry (LSU) def. Lucas Vaz (Florida Gulf Coast) 2-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-2
Doubles Competition
Arias/Csonka, (LSU) def. Ventura /Fernandez (Florida Gulf Coast) 6-3
Freund /Butsch (LSY) def. Landert/Vaz (Florida Gulf Coast) 6-4
A. Alfonzo /E. Alfonzo (Florida Gulf Coast) def. Korinek /Trinh (LSU) 6-2