March 1, 2002
The University of Kentucky men’s tennis team grabbed its first win of the season in Southeastern Conference action on Friday Mar. 1. The ninth-ranked Wildcats (8-2) downed No. 12 Tennessee (6-3), 4-3, at the Goodfriend Tennis Center in Knoxville, Tenn. The Cats and Vols last met in the National Indoor Championship on Feb. 9, where the Cats were victorious, 4-2.
Kentucky started the match strong by grabbing the doubles point for an early 1-0 lead. The 22nd-ranked duo of Evan Austin and Karim Benmansour defeated Tennessee’s team of Peter Handoyo and Mark Dietrich 8-5 on court one. Gustav Pousette and Matt Emery clinched the doubles point with a victory on the third court.
After losing the first set in all six singles, Kentucky struggled with losses at No. 1, 3 and 4. Down 3-1, the Wildcats rallied at No. 2 and No. 5 for victories when Evan Austin and Gustav Pousette gave strong performances in their final two sets. Rahim Esmail, who remains undefeated in dual match action for the season, sealed the UK victory with his tiebreak win in the third set.
“I am very proud of these guys and their performance today,” Head Coach Dennis Emery said. “They played with so much emotion and really came together in the end. This type of victory will definitely help our confidence as we head to Georgia.”
The Cats continue action on the road as they head to Athens, Ga., on Sunday Mar. 3 to take on the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs. The match is slated to begin at noon.
AGATE:SinglesNo. 1 #38 Peter Handoyo (UT) def. #4 Jesse Witten (UK) 6-1,6-3No. 2 Evan Austin (UK) def. Adam Carey (UT) 1-6,6-3,6-1NO. 3 #12 Mario Toledo (UT) def. Matt Emery (UK) 6-4,6-4No. 4 Simon Rea (UT) def. #62 Johan Grunditz (UK) 6-1,6-4No. 5 Gustav Pousette (UK) def. #75 Mark Dietrich (UK) 5-7,6-0,6-2No. 6 Rahim Esmail (UK) def. Wade Orr (UT) 6-7,6-3,7-5
DoublesNo. 1 #22 Austin/Benmansour (UK) def. Handoyo/Dietrich (UT) 8-5No. 2 #12 Rea/Toledo (UT) def. #48 Grunditz/Witten (UK) 8-3No. 3 Pousette/Emery (UK) def. Carey/Olsen (UT) 8-6
