Cosnet’s Clincher Pushes Wildcats Past No. 22 Oklahoma
LEXINGTON, Ky– Behind Charlelie Cosnet’s first singles win since March 9, Kentucky (15-10, 6-7 SEC) was able to rally from an early deficit and a lightning delay to earn its first top 25 win of the conference season, defeating No. 22 Oklahoma (14-8, 7-6 SEC) by a final score of 4-1.
In addition to Cosnet’s clinching victory, the Cats also earned singles points from Antoine Ghibaudo, Matt Rankin, and Jaden Weekes to stay undefeated in matches played at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex.
The Sooners were able to take an early advantage in the match thanks to a late doubles surge, earning wins on the top two courts to claim the opening point. Ghibaudo and Weekes raced to a 6-2 win on court three, but Oklahoma’s No. 26 Oscar Lacides and Bruno Nhavene took down No. 18 Eli Stephenson and Jack Loutit in a tight, 6-4 battle.
With the opening session down to court two, Cosnet and Martin Bresyach had a chance to serve the set into a tiebreaker, but the Sooners were able to break and clinch their only point of the match.
The Cats raced out to a fast start in singles play, taking the opening frames on four courts. No. 93 Weekes dominated Orel Kimhi to even up the dual, racing to a 6-1, 6-1 victory on court three.
No. 58 Ghibaudo was able to earn the third ranked singles of his career on the top court, cruising past No. 78 Lacides for a 6-2, 6-3 win. With the Cats holding a 2-1 advantage in the match and threatening for more, the skies in Lexington opened up and the match entered into a weather delay.
After a near half-hour break, play resumed indoors where Rankin only needed to win a singular point to add the Cats’ third point of the day. The Scot was able to power through a tight opening frame before blowing the door open in the second, winning 7-6 (6), 6-2.
With his team within one point of victory, Cosnet was almost able to end the match in his second set, holding a pair of match points. However, Jordan Hasson of Oklahoma was able to push the match into a deciding frame. Cosnet returned to the court after the delay with a new-found spark, dominating the third set and sealing the dual with a 6-0, 6-7 (7), 6-2 victory—his first singles win since March 9 at Tennessee.
The Cats will look to seal their undefeated home slate on Saturday, April 12, as they host Arkansas in the final match of the regular season. Play from the Boone will begin at 1 p.m. ET. Admission is free to the public.
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No. 36 Kentucky vs. No. 22 Oklahoma
Doubles Results
- No. 26 Lacides/Nhavene (OU) def. No. 18 Stephenson/Loutit (UK) 6-4
- Alvarez/Montsi (OU) def. Breysach/Cosnet (UK) 7-5
- Ghibaudo/Weekes (UK) def. Harazaki/Melero (OU) 6-2
Order of finish: 3, 1, 2
Singles Results
- No. 58 Antoine Ghibaudo (UK) def. No. 78 Oscar Lacides (OU) 6-2, 6-3
- No. 50 Jack Loutit (UK) vs. No. 91 Luis Alvarez (OU) 6-7 (3), 6-4, 0-1 (unfinished)
- No. 93 Jaden Weekes (UK) def. Orel Kimhi (OU) 6-1, 6-1
- Charlelie Cosnet (UK) def. Jordan Hasson (OU) 6-0, 6-7 (7), 6-2
- Eli Stephenson (UK) vs. Alejandro Melero (OU) 5-7, 7-6 (2), 1-1 (unfinished)
- Matt Rankin (UK) def. Asahi Harazaki (OU) 7-6 (6), 6-2
Order of finish: 3, 1, 6, 4
