Gators Sweep Day One at the Bedford Cup

Friday, September 25

Fort Myers, Fla.

8:00 AM

Florida Gators

Bedford Cup-Day One

Gators Sweep Day One at the Bedford Cup

Saturday, September 26, 2015 | Men's Tennis

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The University of Florida men's tennis underclassmen swept the competition at the first day of the Bedford Cup in Fort Myers, Fla. Competition was halted twice during the day due to rain and lightning.

Sophomore Chase Perez-Blanco cruised to straight-set victories in the first two rounds of completion, taking down Alexander Gitin 6-1, 6-2 and then Lasse Mascheites 6-4, 6-3. Fellow-sophomore Josh Wardell defeated UCF's Jack Thiessen, 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the round of 16. Wardell won in straight sets again against Andres Alfonzo of Florida Gulf Coast University, 6-4, 6-4. Jordan Belga only completed one match on Friday in the Singles B draw. The Boca Raton, Fla., native routed FAMU's Walner Espinoza, 7-5, 6-2.

The Gator freshmen impressed on the rainy day going 4-0. Alfredo Perez overcame Stetson's Graham Ball in the round of 32, 6-2, 6-1. The round of 16 saw Perez will an even more impressive victory over Karlyn Small of FAMU, 6-2, 6-0. McClain Kessler battled back from a first set loss in his opening round match against FSU's Jose Garcia. The Gator came soaring back in the match to advance to the next round, 1-6, 7-6, 6-4. Kessler used straight-sets to take down UNF's Zach Goldberg, 6-2, 6-3.

UF will continue play on Saturday in what they hope to be rain-free.

Assistant Coach Scott Perelman's Piece of Mind:

“Going undefeated today is a tribute to our guys and the work they have done since school started. We are in great shape physically and today we were very tough mentally. I am proud of the way our guys are supporting each other. I reminded them today that this is only the beginning of the tournament. Tomorrow is a new day and we must continue to improve and compete.”

SINGLES A-Round of 32 Results:

#84 Chase Perez-Blanco (UF) def. Alexander Gitin (FAU), 6-1, 6-2

McClain Kessler (UF) def. Jose Garcia (FSU), 1-6, 7-6, 6-4

Alfredo Perez (UF) def. Graham Ball (Stetson), 6-2, 6-1

Josh Wardell (UF) def. Jack Thiessen (UCF), 6-4, 6-4

SINGLES A-Round of 16 Results:

Josh Wardell (UF) def. Andres Alfonzo (FGCU), 7-6, 6-3

Alfredo Perez (UF) def. Karlyn Small (FAMU), 6-2, 6-0

McClain Kessler (UF) def. Zach Golderg (UNF), 6-2, 6-3

Chase Perez-Blanco (UF) def. Lasse Mascheites (UNF), 6-4, 6-3

SINGLES B-Round of 32 Results:

Jordan Belga (UF) vs. Walner Espinoza (FAMU), 7-5, 6-2