ORLANDO, Fla. – The No. 10 Men’s Tennis team from Arizona faced a tough challenge against No. 19 Central Florida, losing 3-4 in their first Big 12 match-up on Sunday.
This was the second meeting between these teams this year. Back in January, Arizona also lost to UCF 3-4 during the ITA Kickoff Weekend. The Knights started strong by winning the doubles point. The junior duo of Jay Friend and Eric Padgham wrapped up their match with a quick 6-2 victory over Yassine Dlimi and Emilio Sanchez. However, UCF clinched the doubles point by taking both remaining courts.
In singles, Arizona got back into the game when Casper Christensen won quickly on court six, finishing 6-3, 6-1 against Nicolas Oliveira. But UCF quickly regained control. Liam Branger defeated Arizona freshman Zoran Ludoski 6-3, 6-3 on court three, followed by Paul Colin’s victory over Filip Gustafsson on court four.
Arizona’s Alexander Rozin rebounded with a solid win against Santiago Giamichelle 7-6(3), 6-4 on court five. Meanwhile, Colton Smith, ranked No. 3, fought back from a set down to win his match 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. This win marked an important milestone for Smith, as he achieved his 100th career singles victory, making him the first player in Arizona history to reach this milestone.
The final match came down to court two, where Friend faced a tough battle against Mehdi Benchakroun. Despite a strong effort, Friend fell in three sets, ending the match 3-6, 7-5, 6-7(4).
As Arizona looks ahead, they will face even tougher competitors, with matches lined up against No. 2 TCU on March 21 and No. 14 Baylor on March 23. Their upcoming games will test the team’s resilience and skill in this competitive season.
In the world of college tennis, it’s not just about the wins and losses. Players often share their thoughts on social media, highlighting the camaraderie and sportsmanship. Surveys suggest that half of college athletes feel that community support and engagement are critical to their performance and motivation on the court. As the season progresses, the Cats will rely on their unity and determination to overcome challenges and continue building on their historic achievements.
For more information on college tennis rankings, check out USTA.
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