Kentucky Falls on the Road to Auburn
AUBURN, Ala. –No. 30 Kentucky men’s tennis (11-7, 4-4 SEC) came up short on the road to No. 27 Auburn men’s tennis (14-6, 5-4 SEC) in a tight matchup with the outcome coming down to the final court.
Kentucky began doubles with a dominating team effort. The Wildcat pair Charlelie Cosnet and Martin Breysach sealed the first doubles win for the Cats defeating the Tigers pair Alex Frusina and Joey Phillips 6-3. At the No. 3 position, Antoine Ghibaudo and Jaden Weekes took down Auburn’s pair Thomas Kennedy and Nicholas Heng, 6-4.
With the Cats leading 1-0 overall, the Tigers quickly jumped to the lead in the singles session. The Tigers clocked a quick two set win with Billy Blaydes defeating No. 74 Weekes, 6-1, 6-2. In a heroic effort, No. 63 Ghibaudo rallied to put the Cats back in front with a win over Will Nolan, 7-6(3), 6-0. Auburn responded with Phillips taking Down No. 121 Cosnet 7-6(6), 6-3.
With a tied match, Auburn entered the win column with No. 60 Frusina stopping No. 49 Jack Loutit 6-4, 7-5. Sophomore Matt Rankin registered a win at the fifth position over Hamza Nasridinov 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. The final victory came down to Eli Stephenson against Heng on court six with Auburn getting the clinch 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Kentucky will continue their road stretch as they travel to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama in the Alabama Tennis Stadium on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET.
Kentucky vs. Auburn
Doubles:
Court 1: #10 Nolan/Blaydes (AUB) vs. #21 Loutit/Stephenson (UK): 5-3 (unfinished)
Court 2: Breysach/Cosnet (UK) def. Frusina/Phillips (AUB): 6-3
Court 3: Ghibaudo/Weekes (UK) def. Kennedy/Heng (AUB): 6-4
Order of finish: 2, 3, 1
Singles
Court 1: #63 Antoine Ghibaudo (UK) def. Will Nolan (AUB): 7-6 (7-3), 6-0
Court 2: #60 Alex Frusina (AUB) def. #49 Jack Loutit (UK): 6-4, 7-5
Court 3: Billy Blaydes (AUB) vs. #74 Jaden Weekes (UK): 6-1, 6-2
Court 4: Joey Phillips (AUB) def. #121 Charlelie Cosnet (UK): 7-6 (8-6), 6-3
Court 5: Matt Rankin (UK) vs. Hamza Nasridinov (AUB): 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
Court 6: Nicholas Heng (AUB) def. Eli Stephenson (UK): 4-6, 6-4, 7-5
Order of finish: 3, 1, 4, 2, 5, 6
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