UK Men’s Tennis Season Ends in Second Round of NCAA Tourney

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – After jumping out to an early 1-0 lead on the road versus the defending national champion No. 3 Wake Forest Demon Deacons, No. 36 Kentucky concluded its 2018-19 season with a 4-1 loss in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Division I Men’s Tennis Championship on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Wildcats finish their spring slate with a 16-15 (5-7 Southeastern Conference) record in dual matches.
 
Kentucky began the day by claiming the match’s first point in a highly contested doubles competition. All three matchups were decided in tiebreak opportunities, with the Cats emerging victorious in both completed matchups. Cesar Bourgois and Kento Yamada edged out No. 63 Borna Gojo and Alan Gadjiev 7-6 (5) on court one in the duo’s second doubles win over a nationally ranked twosome.
 
Ryo Matsumura and Kevin Huempfner sealed the doubles point with a 7-6 (5) triumph of their own against Melios Efstathiou and Siddhant Banthia on court three.
 
Kentucky’s initial bout of momentum did not carry into singles play, as Yamada was the only player to come out on top in the opening set. The Cats bounced back in the second, however, forcing tiebreakers on courts one and four, claiming sets on courts four and two. But, in the end, two-set losses by a pair of freshmen in the five and six slots were too much to overcome.
 
While Matsumura will continue his prolific senior season with a fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Singles Tournament after the conclusion of the team championship, team co-captain Enzo Wallart finishes his collegiate eligibility with a career-best 14 singles wins in his senior campaign.
 
“It’s been an amazing ride,” Wallart said. “I don’t think there’s a place like Kentucky, it’s just one big family. I can still remember the first day I got there. In the blink of an eye, it just flew by.”
 
Kentucky has advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in each of the last three seasons, with a berth in the Sweet 16 last coming in 2014.
 
For the latest on Kentucky men’s tennis, follow @UKMensTennis on Twitter and @KentuckyMensTennis on Instagram, and follow the team on the web at UKAthletics.com.
 
#3 Wake Forest 4, #36 Kentucky 1
 
Singles

1. #11 Borna Gojo (WF) def. #93 Enzo Wallart (UK) 6-0, 7-6 (3)
2. #8 Petros Chrysochos (WF) vs. #42 Ryo Matsumura (UK) 6-1, 3-6, 5-2, unfinished
3. #50 Bar Botzer (WF) def. Kento Yamada (UK) 2-6, 6-3, 6-3
4. Rrezart Cungu (WF) vs. Cesar Bourgois (UK) 7-5, 6-7 (6), 0-1, unfinished
5. Melios Efstathiou (WF) def. Kevin Huempfner (UK) 6-0, 6-3
6. Siddhant Banthia (WF) def. Ying-Ze Chen (UK) 6-1, 6-0

 
Doubles

1. Cesar Bourgois/Kento Yamada (UK) def. #63 Alan Gadjiev/Borna Gojo (WF) 7-6 (5)
2. #55 Bar Botzer/Petros Chrysochos (WF) vs. Enzo Wallart/Ying-Ze Chen (UK) 6-6, unfinished
3. Ryo Matsumura/Kevin Huempfner (UK) def. Melios Efstathiou/Siddhant Banthia (WF) 7-6 (5)

Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (6,5,1,3)