Draxl, Diallo Named SEC Co-Newcomers of the Week

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky sophomores Liam Draxl and Gabriel Diallo were each named Southeastern Conference Co-Newcomers of the Week on Wednesday.
 
The duo combined for four singles wins against ranked opponents, while Diallo added a doubles victory over the third-ranked team in the nation.
 
Though then-No. 20 Kentucky fell by back-to-back scores of 4-3 on the road at No. 13 Georgia and No. 3 Tennessee, Draxl moved to 16-1 on the season as Kentucky’s top singles player by way of his third and fourth wins over top-20 opponents.
 
First, the Newmarket, Ontario, native recovered from a slow start against No. 20 Trent Bryde of Georgia to defeat the junior 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 last Friday. Then, Draxl avenged his only doubles loss of the weekend with a commanding 6-3, 6-4 straight-set victory over No. 17 Johannus Monday of Tennessee in the contest’s first completed singles matchup last Sunday.
 
Diallo earned his first ranked singles win of the season against Georgia, avenging his only doubles loss of the weekend with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 straight-set victory over No. 68 Tyler Zink in that match’s first completed singles matchup. Then, the Montreal native defeated No. 3 Adam Walton and Pat Harper of Tennessee 6-3 alongside César Bourgois in the top doubles spot. Diallo recovered from a slow start against Walton, the Volunteers’ most highly ranked singles player, on the second singles court to defeat the senior 1-6, 6-0, 6-3.
 
Student-athletes who were freshmen in 2019-20 and are now sophomores in 2020-21 are eligible for SEC Newcomer of the Week honors, which will only be awarded this season.
 
Draxl was named SEC Player of the Week on Feb. 3 and Feb. 20.
 
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