April 5, 2002

Tuscaloosa, Ala. – The 9th-ranked University of Kentucky men’s tennis team fell to the 21st-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide on Friday, April 5, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Tide (13-6) picked up the coveted Southeastern Conference victory over UK as the Cats fall to 14-7 on the year.

The Wildcats started things off in doubles play with an 8-1 win on court 2 from seniors Johan Grunditz and Gustav Pousette. The Tide quickly stormed back to take the next two doubles matches and register the match’s opening point.

At a one point disadvantage, the Cats picked up their intensity to reel off two quick wins on courts one and two. Eighth-ranked Jesse Witten closed out a second set tiebreaker to defeat 61st-ranked Max Belski, while 59th-ranked Karim Benmansour had little difficulty tallying a 6-3, 6-4 win over 92nd-ranked Chris Gostek. With the lead changing back to the UK side, the Tide responded with three straight wins on courts three, four and six to clinch the match.

UK will look to rebound on Sunday, April 7, with they travel further south to battle the Auburn Tigers. The match is scheduled to begin at noon.

AGATE:SinglesNo. 1#8 Jesse Witten (UK) def. #61 Max Belski (UA), 6-3, 7-6(5)No. 2#59 Karim Benmansour (UK) def. #92 Chris Gostek (UA), 6-3, 6-4NO. 3Stephen Mitchell (UA) def. Evan Austin (UK), 6-3, 6-0No. 4Nick Beuque (UA) def. #81 Gustav Pousette (UK), 6-2, 5-7, 6-2No. 5Chris McRae (UA) vs. #94 Johan Grunditz (UK), DNFNo. 6Christian Brodersen (UA) def. Rahim Esmail (UK), 6-4, 6-2DoublesNo. 1Mitshell/Gostek (UA) def. Austin/Benmansour (UK), 9-8No. 2Pousette/Grunditz (UK) def. Belski/Friedman (UA), 8-1No. 3Boyles/Beuque (UA) def. Witten/Esmail (UK), 8-5