LEXINGTON, Ky. ? The University of Kentucky men?s tennis team opened the season with two victories Sunday. The No. 48 Cats topped Eastern Kentucky on the road in Richmond, Ky., 5-1 to start the day and later capped it off with a 6-1 defeat of Toledo at the Boone Tennis Complex.
The Wildcats played without junior Bruno Agostinelli, who entered the season 31st in the men?s singles national rankings, but did not let his absence affect the team?s results.
Senior captain Marcus Sundh took over at No.1 singles for the Cats going undefeated on the day. The Swede took down Eastern Kentucky?s Alex Das Izquierdo in three sets 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 before beating Jared Miller of Toledo 6-1, 6-2. Sundh teamed with doubles partner Will Ward to win at No. 1 doubles against the Rockets at home 8-3.
Ward defeated his namesake Wade Ward of Toledo 6-2, 6-1 in his only singles match of the day.
Freshman Brad Cox swept his matches playing at No. 2 singles. The rookie split two set tiebreakers against EKU?s Lars Gratzki before taking control of the match in the decisive set 7-6, 6-7, 6-1. Cox had an easier time against Rocket Chris Clark 6-1, 6-3.
UK first-year player Alberto Gonzalez notched two wins in his first team competition. Gonzalez beat Colonel Mel Segota in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 before a three-set thriller against Toledo?s Nutthavit Likitkumchorn. The opponents traded 6-2 set wins before Gonzalez came from behind in the decisive set to force a tiebreaker which he won 7-4.
Junior Shane Collins earned two straight-set victories playing at UK?s No. 5 slot. The Louisville, Ky., native beat Colonel Fred Goncalves 7-5, 6-3 before taking out Toledo?s Gursher Harika 6-3, 6-2.
Eastern Kentucky fell to 2-2 on the year while Toledo slipped to 2-3.
Kentucky entertains three foes next weekend at Boone Tennis Complex. Butler and DePaul visit for a double-header on Saturday Feb. 2 starting at 11 a.m. ET before the No. 36 Miami Hurricanes invade Lexington on Sunday Feb. 3 at noon.
No. 48 Kentucky 5, Eastern Kentucky 1
Singles
1. Marcus Sundh (UK) d. Alex Das Izquierdo (EKU) 4-6, 7-6, 6-2
2. Brad Cox (UK) d. Lars Gratzki (EKU) 7-6, 6-7, 6-1
3. Alberto Gonzalez (UK) d. Mel Segota (EKU) 6-3, 6-4
4. Will Beck (UK) d. Johannes John (EKU) 6-4, 7-6
5. Shane Collins (UK) d. Fred Goncalves (EKU) 7-5, 6-3
6. Francisco Fontoura (EKU) d. Kyle Virgin (UK) 8-2
Doubles
Did not play
No. 48 Kentucky 6, Toledo 1
Singles
1. Marcus Sundh (UK) d. Jared Miller (UT) 6-1, 6-2
2. Brad Cox (UK) d. Chris Clark (UT) 6-1, 6-3
3. Alberto Gonzalez (UK) d. Nutthavit Likitkumchorn (UT) 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(4)
4. Tyler Sonkin (UT) d. Will Beck (UK) 7-5, 6-2
5. Shane Collins (UK) d. Gursher Harika (UT) 6-3, 6-2
6. Will Ward (UK) d. Wade Ward (UT) 6-2, 6-1
Doubles
1. Marcus Sundh/Will Ward (UK) d. Chris Clark/Wade Ward (UT) 8-3
2. Will Beck/Alberto Gonzalez (UK) d. Jared Miller/Nutthavit Likitkumchorn 8-6
3. Shane Collins/Kyle Virgin (UK) d. Jayson Miller/Gursher Harika 8-5
