GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In front of the largest crowd of head coach Bryan Shelton's tenure, the Gators earned their biggest win of the season with a dominating performance over Georgia. The 18th-ranked Gators upset the 17th-ranked Bulldogs 5-2, and opened the conference season with a victory.
 
For the first time since playing at Michigan back on Feb. 9, the Gators were clicking on all cylinders in doubles. The No. 1 ranked doubles pair in the country proved why they hold that spot. Alfredo Perez and Johannes Ingildsen took on No. 12 Robert Loeb and Jan Zielinski, a pair they lost to last season, and made quick work of their opponent, winning 6-2. Perez and Ingildsen's win was important because the Gators had dropped a close match on court two.
 
For the second time this season it came down to Oliver Crawford and Chase Perez-Blanco on court three. The seventh-ranked doubles team used that experience and never wavered, earning a 6-3 victory and giving Florida the early edge with the doubles point.
 
Florida continued their dominant play in singles and jumped on Georgia early, winning the first set in five of the six matches. Later in the evening, Georgia won on court five to tie the match at one but on court six Chase Perez-Blanco closed the door seconds later to give the Gators the lead right back at 2-1.
 
The marquee matchup was on court one between No. 10 Perez and No. 11 Wayne Montgomery. Perez cruised to a 6-3 set one win and a 7-5 set two victory that put the Gators within one point of clinching the match. After the Gators lost on court three, all eyes turned to court four and Crawford who could put the match away for Florida.
 
Crawford blitzed through set one 6-2 but struggled in set two 4-6. Having been in a third set before against Florida State, he had some past experience to lean on as the pressure mounted. The final set seemed like it could go either way, but Crawford battled and looked nothing like a freshman. Pounding his chest and yelling at the crowd to get louder he chipped away point-by-point until he had a 5-3 lead.

Serving towards the crowd, Crawford had to fight off a few tough shots from Jan Zielinski. Late in the volley, he connected on a crosscourt forehand shot that Zielinski could only put into the net, which sent Crawford into the air and right into coach Shelton's embrace as Florida clinched the match over Georgia 4-2.
 

GATORS WIN!!!

Oliver Crawford clinches the match for the Gators on court 4 and UF opens SEC play with a win!#GatorWayBestWay #GoGators pic.twitter.com/9deLkcGQsN

— Gators Men's Tennis (@GatorsMTN) March 3, 2018

 
Quoting Coach Shelton
A statement about the match
"We realized we had a great opportunity in front us. We came out with an intensity, a fire and a purpose from the start of the match in doubles. We went back to our original doubles lineup and then Alfredo led us in singles. He led us from the number one position, and then he and Joe led us in doubles. It was also fitting to see Chase back out there and was a catalyst for us in singles earning the first singles point for us. Overall it was a great team victory and the guys were well prepared tonight. I felt everyone has been working very hard, especially since returning from Seattle"
 
On the amazing crowd at The Ring
"Our crowd was huge tonight and they really got behind our guys. They were part of the whole scene and atmosphere and had something to say as far as the result of the match. I think that was a true home court advantage. It's so much fun to play in that type of atmosphere on a Friday night under the lights. To have so many people come out and support our team and our program means everything to use."
 
On honoring the alumni
"We were able to honor some of our past SEC Championships teams back from 1968-69 and 1975. Almost 100 percent attendance from those guys is amazing and to have them come back and support us is great and we are celebrating them throughout the weekend. The legacy they left behind is something that we are trying to follow and keep moving this program forward."
 
Quoting Crawford
On playing in front of the home crowd
"We have the best fans in the country and they showed that tonight and came out and supported us. Even though it's spring break weekend it was really cool to see so many students stick around for the match. It was awesome and a great win."
 
On winning the doubles point
"We've been struggling a bit on the doubles lately but it was a huge momentum boost when we can get that point so we only have to win three singles matches instead of four. Chase played extremely well and it was good that we managed to win our match and clinch the doubles point for the team."
 
Gator Notables
• Florida improved to 6-4 on the season and 1-0 in the SEC
• This was Florida's first win against Georgia since beating the Bulldogs in the SEC Championship match back in 2016
• This was Florida's first regular-season win over Georgia since 2014 when the Gators beat UGA 4-2 at the ITA Indoor Championship in Houston
• First, win for Florida in Gainesville since 2010 when they beat UGA5-2 on April 11
• Gators improved to 5-0 when winning the doubles point
• After Florida clinched the match at 4-2, the teams finished No. 2 singles. Ingildsen trailed 5-1 but stormed back to win 7-5 and give Gators a 5-2 win
• Perez and Ingildsen are 3-1 this season at No. 1 doubles
• UF is now 3-4 against ranked opponents
• There were 627 amazing fans in attendance
 

You know this match is big when the Head Ball Coach is in attendance! @SteveSpurrierUF #GatorWayBestWay #GoGators pic.twitter.com/0odpfbl215

— Gators Men's Tennis (@GatorsMTN) March 2, 2018

 
Match Results
Doubles
(1) #1 Perez/Ingildsen (UF) def. #12 Robert Loeb/Jan Zielinski (UGA) – 6-2
(2) Wayne Montgomery/Walker Duncan (UGA) def. #9 Kessler/Vale (UF) – 6-3
(3) #7 Perez-Blanco/Crawford (UF) def. Alex Diaz/Nathan Ponwith (UGA) – 6-3
Florida won Doubles Point
Order of Finish: 2, 1, 3
Singles
(1) #10 Alfredo Perez (UF) def. #11 Wayne Montgomery (UGA) – 6-3, 7-5
(2) #9 Johannes Ingildsen (UF) def. #40 Emil Reinberg (UGA) – 6-4, 4-6, 7-5
(3) #89 Nathan Ponwith (UGA) def. #59 Duarte Vale (UF) – 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
(4) Oliver Crawford (UF) def. #28 Jan Zielinski (UGA) – 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
(5) #19 Walker Duncan (UGA) def. #94 Andy Andrade (UF) – 6-2, 7-6
(6) Chase Perez-Blanco (UF) def. Robert Loeb – 6-3, 6-3
Order of Finish: 5, 6, 1, 3, 4*, 2
*Clincher
 
Up Next
Florida will be back at home on Sunday when they host No. 25 Tennessee at the Ring Tennis Complex. The match is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.
 
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