March 31, 2002
The seventh-ranked University of Kentucky men’s tennis team found its way back on the winning track with a 4-2 victory over Southeastern Conference opponent, No. 42 Louisiana State on Sunday, March 31. The Wildcats (14-6,5-3SEC) had suffered three straight losses before meeting the Tigers at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex for the reviving victory.
The Cats fell behind early, dropping the doubles point with losses at No. 1 and No. 3.
Kentucky rallied back in singles taking strong wins on the first and second courts in straight sets. Fifth-ranked Jesse Witten took a dominating win over LSU’s No. 87 Dan Kiernan, 6-3,6-2, while Karim Benmansour fought for a 7-6 first set win before easing to a 6-4 victory in the second. Senior Gustav Pousette put UK ahead 3-2 with a remarkable victory at No. 4 after playing two consecutive sets with battling tie-breaks. Fellow senior, Johan Grunditz secured the Wildcat defeat of the Tigers with a victory over LSU’s Bryan Fisher in straight sets, including a 6-0 shutout in the second.
“This is a great win for us today,” Coach Dennis Emery said. “We have struggled in our past few matches for victories, barely dropping each of them 4-3. The guys played with so much emotion today and were ready to win. This victory at home is exactly what this team needed heading into next weekend on the road.”
Kentucky travels through Alabama next weekend in its last complete SEC action weekend. The Cats will first stop at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Friday, April 5, before heading to Auburn on Sunday, April 7.
AGATE:
Singles
No. 1#5 Jesse Witten (UK) def. #87 Dan Kiernan (LSU)6-3,6-2
No. 2#67 karim Benmansour (UK) def. Peter Richman (LSU)7-6,6-4
No. 3Jesse Smatt (LSU) def. Evan Austin (UK)7-6,7-5
No. 4#94 Gustav Pousette (UK) def. Jason Hazley (LSU)7-6,7-6
No. 5#86 Johan Grunditz (UK) def. Bryan Fisher (LSU)7-5,6-0
No. 6Rahim Esmail (UK) vs. Sebastian Rutka (LSU)SUS.
Doubles
No. 1Hazley/Kiernan (LSU) def. Austin/Benmansour (UK)8-5
No. 2Esmail/Witten (UK) vs. Ross/Rutka (LSU)SUS.
No. 3Fisher/Smatt (LSU) def. Grunditz/Pousette (UK)8-3
