Florida Gators

M25 Houston Draws

HOUSTON, Texas -  Despite the Gators' run in the main singles draw coming to an end, Florida's No. 49 ranked doubles tandem of Oliver Crawford and Sam Riffice managed to upset the tournament's No. 4 seed in the first round of doubles competition on Friday to move on to the quarterfinals. Crawford and Lukas Greif's efforts represented the Gators well in singles action, though, the two would fall in the quarterfinals to eliminate the Gators' presence in the tournament's main singles draw.
 
Greif's matchup against Austin Rapp would be the first to commence on the day for the Gators, as Rapp would earn a 6-3, 6-3, decision over Greif in the quarterfinals to cut his tournament run and five-match win streak. Crawford then fell next in the quarterfinals to No. 2 seed Hugo Gaston, 6-3, 6-2.
 
The Gators would however end the tournament's sixth day of competition on a positive note. Oliver Crawford and Sam Riffice managed to pull off an impressive upset win in their fall doubles debut, downing No. 4 seed Peter Bothwell and Anderson Reed, 6-0, 6-3, in the first round of doubles play to move on to Saturday's quarterfinals.
 
Main Draw Singles Quarterfinals
 
Austin Rapp def. No. 70 Lukas Greif, 6-3, 6-3
 
No. 2 seed Hugo Gaston def. No. 3 Oliver Crawford, 6-3, 6-2
 
Main Draw Doubles
 
No. 49 Oliver Crawford/Sam Riffice def. No. 4 seed Peter Bothwell/Anderson Reed, 6-0, 6-3

THOUGHTS FROM VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACH SCOTT PERELMAN:

• "Yesterday was another long day in Houston for the Gators. It rained for most of the day and singles play started at 8:30 p.m. Lukas and Oliver both had tough matches but you have to give credit to their opponents. The guys they went up against played well and deserved to win."
• "Lukas has had a great run here in Houston and has gotten in six quality matches. It is just what he needed. He will learn from his loss yesterday and move forward. Lukas makes Gator nation and our program proud every time he takes the court. He is a first-class young man with a bright future."
• "Oliver had some chances last night but wasn't able to execute on the key points. He is disappointed but will bounce back strong. Sam and Oliver doubled the energy and level of play by the Gators in their doubles match. Oliver and Sam are an excellent team together and are looking forward to playing today."

 
UP NEXT:

• Crawford and Riffice will meet Nathan Chevez and Adarsh Naga Tippabhatla in the doubles quarterfinals, slated for today (Sat., Sept. 21) at 12:30 p.m.