Tournament Central: SEC Men's Tennis Championship
April 21, 2010
Tennessee Trumps Florida 4-0 to Claim SEC Men’s Tennis Championship
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Behind another impressive all-around performance in singles and doubles, the tournament top-seed University of Tennessee men’s tennis team claimed a 4-0 victory over No. 2-seeded Florida for the Southeastern Conference Championship at the Hilary. J. Boone Tennis Complex on Sunday.
The victory is the third SEC Championship for the Volunteers and the first since claiming the title in 2002. UT junior John-Patrick Smith was named the most valuable player of the SEC Tournament. Tennessee junior Boris Conkic, Florida freshmen Sekou Bangoura and Bob Van Overbeek, Auburn junior Tim Puetz and Ole Miss sophomore Marcel Thiemann were named to the all-tournament team.
Tennessee took a 1-0 advantage after claiming the doubles point with victories at Nos. 1 and 2 doubles. The eight-ranked Tennessee duo of Conkic and Rhyne Williams clinched the doubles point by posting an 8-5 victory over No. 51 Joseph Burkhardt and Bangoura at No. 2 doubles. The Vols also earned the win at No. 1 doubles when the No. 4 tandem of Smith and Davey Sandgren defeated Florida’s No. 14-ranked duo of Antoine Benneteau and Alexandre Lacroix 8-3. Florida won at No. 3 doubles when Overbeek and Daniel Cash took down Matteo Fago and Ed Jones 8-6.
Tennessee pushed its lead to 3-0 when the Vols scored wins at Nos. 1 and 5 singles. In the day’s most anticipated singles contest, Tennessee’s Smith, the nation’s No. 1 singles player, defeated the No. 5-ranked Lacroix of Florida, 6-2, 6-1 at No.1 singles. Tennessee’s Fago followed suit at No. 5 singles, defeating Florida’s Nassim Slilam in straight sets 6-3, 6-1.
After rain suspended play for 45 minutes, Tennessee wrapped up the championship indoors when No. 37-ranked Conkic of Tennessee defeated No. 113 Burkhardt 6-0, 6-2 at No. 2 singles.
Singles matches at Nos. 3, 4 and 5 were in progress when Tennessee clinched the championship. At No. 3 singles, No. 44 Williams led Benneteau 6-4, 4-1 in the second set while Florida’s Van Overbeek led No. 114 Tennys Sandgren 7-6 (16-14), 1-1 when the match was abandoned. The match between Bangoura and Davey Sandgren was tied at one set apiece with Sandgren winning the first 6-2 and Bangoura winning the second 6-1.
Tournament Schedule
Thursday, April 22
| Match 1 | #6 Auburn def. #11 Arkansas 4-1 | 9 a.m. | Release/Agate |
| Match 2 | #10 Mississippi State def. #7 Vanderbilt 4-0 | Noon | Release/Agate |
| Match 3 | #5 Ole Miss def. #12 South Carolina 4-1 | 3 p.m. | Release/Agate |
| Match 4 | #9 LSU def. #8 Alabama 4-2 | 6 p.m. | Release/Agate |
Friday, April 23
| Match 5 | #6 Auburn def. #3 Georgia 4-3 | 9 a.m. | |
| Match 6 | #2 Florida def. #10 Mississippi State 4-1 | Noon | |
| Match 7 | #5 Ole Miss def. #4 Kentucky 4-0 | 3 p.m. | |
| Match 8 | #1 Tennessee def. #9 LSU 4-0 | 6 p.m. |
Saturday, April 24
| Match 9 | #2 Florida def. #6 Auburn 4-1 | 10 a.m. | |
| Match 10 | #1 Tennessee vs. #5 Ole Miss | 1 p.m. |
Sunday, April 25
| Match 11 | #2 Florida vs. #1 Tennessee | 1 p.m. |
All times Eastern and subject to change.
Parking
Spectators are asked to park in Parking Structure #7 located next to tennis complex on Sports Center Drive. Fans attending the event may purchase one-time use parking vouchers at the ticket tent for $3. Other lots near the UK tennis complex are residential lots (R lots) and are not open for event spectators. Parking in these areas will result in parking fines.
Driving directions to the Hillary J. Boone Tennis Complex are available online.
Ticket Information
Tickets for the championships are on sale now. Fans can purchase championship passes and single-day tickets by calling 1-800-928-CATS 1-800-928-CATS or in person at the UK ticket office at the Joe Craft Center, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ticket prices include:
Adult Championship Pass (all four days): $10
Child/Senior/Student Championship Pass (all four days): $6
Adult Single Day: $4
Child/Senior/Student Single Day: $2
The Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex will open 1 hour prior to the start of each day. (Cash ONLY at the Boone Tennis Complex) Ticket Sales/Will Call/Player Pass will be located outside at the northwest corner of the facility.
