GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 12 Florida Gators (9-6, 4-1 SEC) were connecting on all of their shots Friday night on their way to a big 4-0 victory over No. 21 Kentucky.
 
The top of Florida's doubles lineup was clicking early against Kentucky (10-5, 3-1 SEC). The No. 1 ranked pair of Alfredo Perez and Johannes Ingildsen connected on shot-after-shot to earn a 6-3 victory, their sixth of the season. On court two it was No. 12 McClain Kessler and Duarte Vale who regained the stellar form that they have shown all season. The chemistry was on full display late in the match when they trailed love-40 and battled all the way back to win the point to make it 5-3, before ultimately winning the match and clinching the double point for the Gators.
 
In singles, the Gators were led on courts five and six. On court six senior Chase Perez-Blanco didn't let a few early points from Kentucky's Austin Hussey bother him as he came away with an easy 6-4, 6-1 victory. Andy Andrade had a great performance on court five, breezing to a 6-3, 6-2 win and giving Florida a 3-0 lead in the match. Although the Gator's had comfortable leads on courts one and two, the match came to an end on court three with Oliver Crawford continuing his strong play and earning a win by scores of 6-2, 6-3.
 
Quoting Coach Shelton
On finishing matches
"I thought we did a nice job of finishing. It started with doubles. We were able to be really tough out there, especially at No. 2 doubles. We were up a break and trailed love-40 on one service game and 15-40 the next service game was able to hold both of those. We played some of our best tennis when it mattered most. In singles, it was the same thing. Being able to convert when we had our opportunities. We played the big points much better and continued to play to our strengths and just stayed focus through the process, saying it's not a destination, it's a journey."
 
On the team not letting Wednesday affect them and only worry about Kentucky
"Getting back into the conference helped, but knowing that we lost to Kentucky last year at their place. We weren't too happy when we left [Lexington] last year. It left a bad taste in our mouths. This was one of those matches we circled early and said hey, we need to bring our best."
 
On the guys playing with emotion
"We certainly want all the guys to play with great energy. Getting the crowd involved is something they enjoy doing. They love playing in front of our fans and want them to have a good time and we want to entertain them as well. When the fans feel our energy on the court it brings them into the match as well and they certainly feed us when we are out there on the court. When they are into it like they were tonight it certainly helps us."
 
Quoting Perez-Blanco
On the teams win over Kentucky
"It was big. We know they are a very aggressive team both vocally and physically so we knew we had to keep our composure but stay energetic at the same time. It can be difficult at times because we get fired up, but the guys did a great job of staying composed and focused."
 
On his energy throughout the match
"I really wanted to win this match against Kentucky because last year they got us and they got me. This was a big one personally and for the team. Knowing them and knowing it is a rival match really got me ready to play."
 
Gator Notes
• Florida improved to 6-1 at home and 5-4 against teams ranked in the top 25
• Against Kentucky, Florida improved to 47-14 all-time
• The Gators improved to 8-1 when they win the doubles point
• The win puts Florida and Kentucky in a tie for second-place in the SEC standings
• Crawford has won seven consecutive matches and is now 5-0 in SEC play
• Perez-Blanco is now one singles win away from 86 in his career which will tie him for 10th in program history
• The singles win also gives Perez-Blanco 168 career wins. He is two combined wins away from moving into 10th on the all-time list
• Andrade earned his seventh win of the season
• Crawford is tied for the most matches clinched with 3
• This was Florida's third sweep of the season and first since Jan. 28
• Perez and Ingildsen's win in doubles was the duo's 20th career victory together
 
Match Results
Doubles
(1) #1 Perez/Ingildsen (UF) def. Cesar Bourgois/Gus Benson (UK) – 6-3
(2) #12 Kessler/Vale (UF) def. Ryotaro Matsumura/Enzo Wallart (UK) – 6-3
(3) #10 Perez-Blanco/Crawford (UF) vs Will Bushamuka/Austin Hussey (UK) – DNF, 4-5
Florida won Doubles Point
Order of Finish: 1, 2
Singles
(1) #7 Alfredo Perez (UF) vs #49 Ryotaro Matsumura (UK) – DNF, 6-3, 1-6, 3-0
(2) #6 Johannes Ingildsen (UF) vs Will Bushamuka (UK) – DNF, 7-6, 5-2
(3) #93 Oliver Crawford (UF) def. Enzo Wallart (UK) – 6-2, 6-3*
(4) #68 Duarte Vale (UF) vs Trey Yares (UK) – DNF, 2-6, 6-2, 3-5
(5) #101 Andy Andrade (UF) def. Kento Yamada (UK) – 6-3, 6-2
(6) Chase Perez-Blanco (UF) def. Austin Hussey (UK) – 6-4, 6-1
Order of Finish: 6, 5, 3*
*Clincher
 
Up Next
Florida will travel to Nashville for a Sunday showdown with No. 20 Vanderbilt. The match is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. ET.
 
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