Emesz, Savva Earn Wins As Hogs Fall To No. 28 Alabama, 5-2

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 48 Arkansas men’s tennis team (14-7, 1-4) suffered a 5-2 loss to No. 28 Alabama (14-8, 3-3) on Friday evening at Alabama Tennis Stadium.

Alabama grabbed the early lead after taking the doubles point with a victory on court one and a win by default on court three. The duo of Connor Smillie and Jake Sweeney struck first for the Razorbacks after a 6-3 victory over Dimic/Jones at the No. 2 position. The win for Smillie/Sweeney marks their seventh victory together this dual season. The Crimson Tide responded with No. 69 Planinsek/Zimnokh earning a 6-4 win over No. 29 Božo Barun/Jared Horwood in the top spot. Alabama claimed the doubles point after a lineup error by Arkansas, declaring court three a win by default for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama carried its momentum into singles play, winning the first set on five courts. On court one, No. 42 Planinsek grabbed a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Barun, while Melvin Manuel dropped his match in straight sets against Ponce De Leon at the No. 3 position. The Crimson Tide clinched the match on court two as Zimnokh bested Gerard Planelles Ripoll, 6-4, 6-2.

The Hogs secured the next two points as Stefanos Savva improved to 12-4 this spring after a 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 win over Jones at the No. 4 position. Benedikt Emesz followed with a 2-6, 7-6 (3), 1-0 (10-4) victory against Dimic on court five. The win for Emesz marks his fourth consecutive singles victory and ninth overall this season. Alabama’s Foster closed out the match with a straight-set win over Karlo Kajin at the No. 6 position.

The Razorbacks are back in action on Sunday, March 24, at noon CT to face No. 40 Georgia on the road at Magill Tennis Complex.