Florida Gators
Alabama
Florida Men?s Tennis Defeats No. 40 Alabama, 6-1
Saturday, April 1, 2006 | Men's Tennis
The 12th-ranked University of Florida men's tennis team returned to its winning ways with a 6-1victory over No. 40 Alabama Friday afternoon at the Ring Tennis Complex in Gainesville. With the win, UF improved to 10-6 on the season and 4-3 in SEC play. The Crimson Tide evened its overall record at 9-9 while falling to 2-5 in the league.
Florida had the doubles point in just over an hour when Vladimir Obradovic and Ryan Sherry slipped past Alabama's Javier Bes and Sammy Struyf on court three (9-7). The Gator duo trailed 6-3 before getting back in the match by winning four straight games and eventually posting their first victory of the dual match season.
UF's Chris Brandi and Greg Ouellette set up the opportunity to claim the point with their 8-4 showing against Dan Buikema and Andrew Felsenthal one court higher in the lineup. With the outcome against Alabama, UF ran its record to 5-2 against SEC foes for the doubles point.
Florida got wins on courts one through five in singles play with the clincher coming on four where No. 100 Stefan Tell defeated Billy Mertz, 7-6 (5), 6-3. With the victory, Tell is 4-0 at the spot in the order this season.
Singles started with Alabama picking up a win on six before No. 38 Nestor Briceno gave the Gators the lead for good with a 7-5, 6-3 showing against Mathieu Thibaudeau. Briceno extended his win streak to eight straight. The UF sophomore remained perfect in SEC dual match play (7-0 on the season).
Ouellette (No. 32) got UF to within one of clinching the match when he outlasted Bes in the first set on two, 7-5, before taking over with a 6-0 score in the second. After Tell solidified the match in Florida's favor, Brandi extended the lead by defeating Struyf 6-3, 7-5 on court five.
Obradovic (No. 95) rounded out the scoring for Florida as he posted a 7-6 (6), 6-3 score against No. 101 Joseph Jung at the top of the order. The win was his sixth over a ranked opponent this season, which ties Briceno for the team lead.
UF closes out the weekend against No. 48 Auburn on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Gainesville.
Florida Men's Tennis
#12 Florida vs. #40 Alabama
Gainesville, Florida
Doubles
Joseph Jung/Mathieu Thibaudeau (UA) def. Stefan Tell/Nestor Briceno (UF), 8-6
Chris Brandi/Greg Ouellette (UF) def. Dan Buikema/Andrew Felsenthal (UA), 8-4
Vladimir Obradovic/Ryan Sherry (UF) def. Javier Bes/Sammy Struyf (UA), 9-7
Order of Finish - 2, 1, 3
Singles
No. 95 Vladimir Obradovic (UF) def. No. 101 Joseph Jung (UA), 7-6 (6), 6-3
No. 32 Greg Ouellette (UF) def. Javier Bes (UA), 7-5, 6-0
No. 38 Nestor Briceno (UF) def. Mathieu Thibaudeau (UA), 7-5, 6-3
No. 100 Stefan Tell (UF) def. Billy Mertz (UA), 7-6 (5), 6-3
Chris Brandi (UF) def. Sammy Struyf (UA), 6-3, 7-5
Dan Buikema (UA) def. Ryan Sherry (UF), 6-0, 6-1
Order of Finish – 6, 3, 2, 4, 5, 1
