Arkansas Holds On to Beat Washington, Win Fifth Straight Match

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Razorbacks men’s tennis team won their fifth straight match on Friday night with a tight victory over the Huskies. Arkansas (10-1) initially led 3-0 and held off a strong Washington (4-2) effort in singles play to win, 4-2.

In doubles play, each match was down to the wire, but the Hogs eventually earned the doubles point for the tenth time this season. In the No. 1 spot, juniors Melvin Manuel and Adrien Burdet defeated Washington’s Bouchelaghem/Zharyn, 6-4, but the Huskies responded by winning on court three, 7-5. In the deciding match, juniors Alan Sau Franco and Stefanos Savva took a thrilling 7-6 (7) victory over Suko/Pearson, giving the Razorbacks the early 1-0 lead.

Arkansas carried their momentum into singles play, as Savva cruised past Lin in the No. 1 spot, 6-2, 6-1 and Sau Franco took down Hendrikx in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. However, Washington wouldn’t go away easily, winning the next two matches on courts two and three. The final two courts came down to the final set, but Gerard Planelles Ripoll overcame a first-set loss to come back and defeat Pearson 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, clinching the final singles point needed to secure the 4-2 win.

The Razorbacks return to Billingsley Tennis Center on Wednesday, Feb. 15 as they host Tulsa at 6 p.m. CT.

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