BOX SCORE
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Florida earned a 5-2 win over Tennessee on Sunday afternoon at Goodfriend Tennis Center to complete the weekend sweep of SEC opponents.
The Gators have extended their winning streak to a season-best six matches and remain undefeated in SEC play. Florida has not started conference play 5-0 since 2010. In 2010, it started 7-0 en route to a second-place finish in the SEC.
For the third time in four matches, Florida dropped the doubles point. But once again, the Gators responded and took four of six first sets against the Volunteers. Florida held off a fierce comeback attempt from Tennessee, who cut UF's lead to 3-2 with two courts remaining, each engaged in tight third sets.
In doubles, Tennessee took the early advantage with wins over No. 73
McClain Kessler and
Duarte Vale on court one and
Oliver Crawford and
Sam Riffice on court 3. Crawford and Riffice faced a 0-4 deficit and despite a massive rally, the duo fell short 4-6. This loss marks just their second of the dual season and Crawford's first career doubles loss in SEC play.
Duarte Vale evened the match as he claimed a 6-4, 6-1 decision against Martim Prata on court six.
Florida went to 2-1 when No. 48 Riffice earned a straight-set 6-3, 6-4 victory against the Vols' Scott Jones. The freshman improved to 5-0 in SEC play and has won six in a row.
Tennessee tied the match and earned its lone singles win of the afternoon when Adam Walton defeated
Andy Andrade in two sets. Moments later,
Oliver Crawford regained the lead for the Gators with a 6-2, 7-5 triumph over No. 59 Timo Stodder. Crawford has won three straight over ranked opponents.
Fighting for match point,
Lukas Greif and
Johannes Ingildsen were in the middle of tight three-set matches. Greif took an exciting 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 match-clinching victory over Luca Wiedenmann. A few seconds after the clinch, Ingildsen sealed the final score with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 win over Preston Touliatos.
Greif clinched his second match of the season for Florida.
Up next, Florida returns home to host Illinois and Vanderbilt on Wednesday and Thursday for 5 p.m. matches. The Gators and the Illini will meet for the second time this season. UF took the first meeting at the ITA Indoor National Championships, 4-1.
Final Results
#8 Florida 5, #22 Tennessee 2
Doubles-Order of Finish: 3,1
1. #36 Timo Stodder/Preston Touliatos (UT) def. #73
Duarte Vale/
McClain Kessler (UF)- 6-3
2. Martim Prata/Adam Walton (UT) vs.
Johannes Ingildsen/
Alfredo Perez (UF)- 5-4, unfinished
3. Scott Jones/Pat Harper (UT) def.
Oliver Crawford/
Sam Riffice (UF)- 6-4
Singles-Order of Finish: 6,3,2*,1,5,4
1. #24
Oliver Crawford (UF) def. #59 Timo Stodder (UT)- 6-2, 7-5
2. #93 Adam Walton (UT) def. #54 Andres Andrade (UF)- 7-6 (7-4), 6-0
3. #48
Sam Riffice (UF) def. Scott Jones (UT)- 6-3, 6-4
4. #79
Johannes Ingildsen (UF) def. Preston Touliatos (UT)- 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
5.
Lukas Greif (UF) def. Luca Wiedenmann (UT)- 2-6, 6-4, 6-3*
6.
Duarte Vale (UF) def. Martim Prata (UT)- 6-4, 6-1
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