Florida Gators
Illinois
Men's Tennis Falls To No. 7 Illinois, 6-1
Wednesday, February 14, 2007 | Men's Tennis
The eighth-ranked University of Florida men's tennis team fell for the first time this season as the Gators lost to No. 7 Illinois, 6-1, Tuesday night at the Atkins Tennis Center in Champaign, Ill. With the loss, UF slipped to 3-1 while the Illini improved to 6-1.
In doubles, Florida lost the point but came away with an impressive win on the top court where freshman Jesse Levine and junior Greg Ouellette paired for an 8-4 victory over 42nd-ranked Ryan Rowe and Kevin Anderson. Last season, Rowe and Anderson teamed to win the NCAA doubles title and concluded the year with a 32-2 overall record. The win was the third for the Gator duo this season and the first for any UF team over a ranked opponent.
The doubles point came down to court two where UF's Dan Cash and Geoffrey Barton trailed 5-2 to Illinois' Ruben Gonzales and Brandon Davis before falling short, 8-6.
In singles, Illinois got wins on courts three, four and five to secure the victory. Levine got a win at the top of the order over No. 23 Anderson (7-6 (7), 6-4) to get the Gators on the board. Levine improved to 3-0 on the season with each of his wins coming in straight sets. The victory was the second straight for Levine over a ranked opponent and his second in as many matches against a 2006 All-American.
Aside from Levine, Barton was the only Gator not to fall in straight sets. He won his first set against Davis on court six, 7-5, before being defeated in a 10-point super-tiebreaker (5-7, 7-6 (5), 1-0 (7)).
Florida remains on the road as the Gators close out the week at No. 12 Florida State on Saturday at 1 p.m.
College Men's Tennis
Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex
Gainesville, Fla.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Final Score: Illinois 6, Florida 1
Doubles
1. Jesse Levine/Greg Ouellette (FLA) def. #42 Kevin Anderson/Ryan Rowe (ILL) 8-4
2. Ruben Gonzales/Brandon Davis (ILL) def. Daniel Cash/Geoffrey Barton (FLA) 8-6
3. GD Jones/Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. Nestor Briceno/Billy Mulligan (FLA) 8-2
Singles
1. Jesse Levine (FLA) def. #23 Kevin Anderson (ILL) 7-6 (7), 6-4
2. #11 Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. #16 Greg Ouellette (FLA) 7-6 (2), 6-3
3. Ruben Gonzales (ILL) def. #60 Nestor Briceno (FLA) 6-2, 6-0
4. GD Jones (ILL) def. Jordan Dolberg (FLA) 6-2, 6-1
5. #83 Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. Dan Cash (FLA) 6-3, 6-4
6. Brandon Davis (ILL) def. Geoffrey Barton (FLA) 5-7, 7-6 (5), 10-7
Order of Finish: Doubles – 1, 3, 2 Singles – 4, 3, 5, 1, 2, 6
