Florida Gators
SEC Fall Classic - Day 4
Elliott Orkin Sweeps Main Draw to Capture SEC Fall Classic Title
Monday, September 22, 2014 | Men's Tennis
Elliott Orkin emerged from an All-Gator final as champion of the Main Draw Singles event when he defeated Florida's Diego Hidalgo on the last day of the SEC Fall Classic at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex in Gainesville.
Orkin, the No. 8-seed in the tournament, was the first to advance to the final round, defeating Gordon Watson in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4 in the semifinals. Hidalgo sealed his fate as a finalist following a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Gator teammate Maxx Lipman.
Orkin and Hidalgo entered the final match having never dropped a set between the two of them across the entire singles draw. Despite playing their own teammate, it was an all-out effort from both Gators as Orkin took the first set, 6-3, pushing Hidalgo to ramp up his game and send the second set into a tiebreak. With the tiebreak even at seven-all, Orkin earned two straight points to take the 9-7 tiebreak and the win.
Diego Hidalgo
On facing teammate Elliott Orkin in the final…
“Elliott played really well the entire tournament and today, especially. He was playing really well. His fitness, how he was moving and everything, I felt like he was very comfortable on the court, so I think that was key for him. I'm happy for him.”
On advancing through the tournament without dropping a set leading up to the final…
“I was feeling comfortable, playing in the whole tournament with confidence, and I think that's something good. Elliott played well today and he beat me in two sets, but still I think I played well.”
On momentum entering the ITA All-Americans…
“I think that's going to give us a lot of confidence. I'm proud of my team, but we have to look forward and forget about this tournament and move ahead. We need to play the next tournament as if it were our first one and try and win it all again.”
2014 SEC Fall Classic Day 4 Results
Monday, September 22, 2014
SINGLES
Semifinals
Diego Hidalgo (UF) def. Maxx Lipman (UF), 6-4, 6-3
Elliott Orkin (UF) def. Gordon Watson (UF), 6-1, 6-4
Final
Elliott Orkin (UF) def. Diego Hidalgo (UF), 6-3, 7-6 (7)
NEXT UP:
The Gators will travel to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the 2014 Saint Francis Health System ITA Men's All-American Championships. Pre- qualifying rounds take place September 27 and 28, followed by qualifying rounds on September 29 – October 1. Main draw matches open on October 2.
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