AUSTIN, Texas – Florida Gators Men's Tennis fell to No. 3 Texas 4-3 on Saturday at the Texas Tennis Complex. The loss marks the end of a four-match stretch against ranked opponents.
The Gators opened action with a stunning doubles victory, headlined by
Adhithya Ganesan and
Tanapatt Nirundorn defeating ITA's fifth-ranked doubles pairing, Texas' Eliot Spizzirri and Cleeve Harper, 7-6 (7-0) on court one. They finished what
Nate Bonetto and
Aidan Kim started, having claimed court two by a score of 6-4 over Siem Woldeab/Pierre-Yves Bailly of Texas.
The Gators found themselves overmatched in singles play, but they fought valiantly against many of the top players in the nation.
Ganesan, a freshman that arrived in Gainesville in January, put together a strong performance against ITA's 2023 National Player of the Year, and current No. 1 ranked Eliot Spizzirri, in his first career match as Florida's court one selection. Ganesan ultimately fell to the Texas senior by a score of 6-2, 6-2.
Bonetto and No. 89
Jeremy Jin completed their matches following Texas' fourth point, with both collecting super-breaker victories. Jin battled back to defeat No. 53 Pierre-Yves Bailly 6-7 (3-7), 6-2, 1-0 (13-11). Bonetto defeated Siem Woldeab by a 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 1-0 (10-8) score to complete the day.
Jin's win over Bailly was his first ranked victory in his dual-match career.
Next up: The Gators return to Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex for the first time since Jan. 21, as they take on UCF on Feb. 18.
RESULTS
Singles competition
1. #1 Eliot Spizzirri (UT) def.
Adhithya Ganesan (UF) 6-2, 6-2
2. Gilles-Arnaud Bailly (UT) def.
Aidan Kim (UF) 6-2, 6-3
3. #89
Jeremy Jin (UF) def. #53 Pierre-Yves Bailly (UT) 6-7 (3-7), 6-2, 1-0 (13-11)
4.
Nate Bonetto (UF) def. Siem Woldeab (UT) 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 1-0 (10-8)
5. Cleeve Harper (UT) def. #82
Tanapatt Nirundorn (UF) 6-1, 6-2
6. #37
Jonah Braswell (UT) def.
Kevin Edengren (UF) 6-3, 6-3
Doubles competition
1.
Adhithya Ganesan/
Tanapatt Nirundorn (UF) def. #5 Eliot Spizzirri/Cleeve Harper (UT) 7-6 (7-0)
2. #58
Aidan Kim/
Nate Bonetto (UF) def. Siem Woldeab/Pierre-Yves Bailly (UT) 6-4
3. Micah Braswell/Gilles-Arnaud Bailly (UT) vs.
Henry Jefferson/
Jeremy Jin (UF) 6-6 (1-0), unfinished
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