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Men's Tennis Closes Out Regular Season v. No. 18 Alabama

by Christian L Verde
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Men's Tennis Closes Out Regular Season v. No. 18 Alabama

Baton Rouge—The No. 39 LSU men’s tennis team will face No. 18 Alabama in the regular season and home finale on Thursday, April 15 at the LSU Tennis Complex at 3:00 p.m.

In compliance with COVID-19 protocols, matches at the LSU Tennis Complex will be limited to 800 people for outdoor matches. Indoor matches are limited to a players’ list and 50 spots available for the general public on a first come, first serve basis. Attending fans at the LSU Tennis Complex must remained masked up and adhere to social distancing guidelines.

LSU is looking to finish over .500 with their final match. The Tigers currently sit at 11-11 and 3-8 in SEC play.

ITA Rankings

The Tigers are well represented in the latest ITA Rankings. Freshman Ronald Hohmann keeps rising up the charts, coming in at No. 48 in the singles ranking. Hohmann and doubles partner Rafael Wagner stay in as well, coming in at No. 39. Coming off their upset win over the No. 3 duo in the nation, the freshman/senior duo of Joao Graca and Joey Thomas join the ranks, debuting at No. 83.

Scouting the Tide

Alabama has been rolling to finish the season. They’re on a three-match win streak with wins over Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Arkansas. They sit at 14-8 on the season and 5-5 in SEC play.

Edson Ortiz leds the way for Alabama in the ITA rankings, landing one spot over Ronald Hohmann at No. 48. Zhe Zhou comes in at No. 69 and Patrick Kaukovalta rounds them out at No. 83. The Tide have two duos ranked, starting with No. 21 Kaukovalta and Riccardo Roberto. Gabriel Diaz Fierire and Ortiz are 1-0, but come in at No. 64.

The Tigers and Tide last met up in the Fall for the Alabama Four-in-the-Fall Tournament. Hohmann and Wagner faced both of Alabama’s ranked duos and were victorious in both, defeating Freire/Zhou, 6-4, and Kaukovalta/Roberto, 6-3. Edson Ortiz did not compete, so this will be LSU’s first look at Alabama’s feature on court one.

For up-to-date information and behind-the-scenes access on the Tigers, follow the LSU men’s tennis team on Twitter and Instagram at @lsutennis and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lsutennis.