AUBURN, Ala. – The ninth-ranked Florida men's tennis team got back into the win column on Sunday against the Auburn Tigers. Inclement weather forced the match to be played inside, but even that couldn't stop the Gators from earning a 6-1 victory.
The Gators dominance in doubles continued on Sunday with the top-ranked pair in the country,
Alfredo Perez, and
Johannes Ingildsen, making quick work of their opponent 6-4. On court two No. 12
McClain Kessler and
Duarte Vale earned their first win of the weekend with a 6-4 victory to clinch the doubles point for Florida.
In singles, the Gators shook up the lineup against the Tigers with a different look at the bottom.
Chase Perez-Blanco moved up to the No. 4 spot while Kessler played at No. 5 and
Jordan Belga made his first start of the season at No. 6 singles.
On court one Perez was locked in from the start, earning a dominant 6-0, 6-1 win to give Florida a 2-0 lead in the match. Because Perez took care of business so quickly there was a gap between when he finished and when the next court concluded. Perez-Blanco was the next to finish on court four by a score of 6-1, 6-2. His match was quickly followed by Ingildsen on court two who clinched the match for Florida with a 6-2, 6-2 win. Belga earned his first win of the season with a 6-3, 6-3 decision while
Oliver Crawford won his fifth consecutive match with a 7-5, 6-1 victory.
Quoting Coach Shelton
"Really proud of our guys today. We are starting to find our rhythm on the doubles court. In singles it was great to get Jordan in the line-up for the first time this season. He did really well. Overall pleased with how we played today and looking forward to another great week ahead."
"On another note just want to send a huge shout out to our track coach Mouse Holloway for the National Indoor Championship win this weekend. He is a legend and what an impressive squad he has on the men's and women's side."
Gator Notables
• Florida improved to 8-5 overall and 3-1 in the SEC while Auburn falls to 9-8, 0-3 SEC
• Ingildsen earned his 25th career dual singles win
• With his singles win Perez-Blanco now has 166 combined wins and is just four wins away from moving into a tie for 10th all-time
• Perez-Blanco is now just three singles wins away from moving into the top 10 with 86. He currently has 83
• Crawford improved to 3-0 this season when playing at No. 3 singles
• Perez and Ingildsen have won five straight doubles matches
• When winning the doubles point Florida is now 7-1 when winning the doubles point
• The Gators are 2-2 on the road this season
Match Results
Doubles
(1) #1 Perez/Ingildsen (UF) def. Edward Nguyen/Matteo De Vincentis (AU) – 6-4
(2) #12 Kessler/Vale (UF) def. Tad Maclean/Olle Thestrup (AU) – 6-4
(3) #10 Perez-Blanco/Crawford (UF) vs Carles Sarrio/Diego Chavarria (AU) – DNF, 5-4
Florida won Doubles Point
Order of Finish: 1, 2
Singles
(1) #7
Alfredo Perez (UF) def. Edward Nguyen (AU) – 6-0, 6-1
(2) #6
Johannes Ingildsen (UF) def. Olle Thestrup (AU) – 6-2, 6-2
(3) #93
Oliver Crawford (UF) def. Carles Sarrio (AU) – 7-5, 6-1
(4)
Chase Perez-Blanco (UF) def. Tad Maclean (AU) – 6-1, 6-2
(5) Lorenzo Rodriguez (AU) def.
McClain Kessler (UF) – 7-5, 6-2
(6)
Jordan Belga (UF) def. Brandon Laubser (AU) – 6-3, 6-3
Order of Finish: 1, 4, 2*, 6, 3, 5
*Clincher
Up Next
Florida will be back at home for a midweek matchup against Texas Christian University. The Gators will host the Horned Frogs on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
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