Hogs Bounce Back with 4-3 Win over New Mexico

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas men’s tennis team (3-1) bounced back from its loss to MTSU last Sunday with a narrow 4-3 victory over New Mexico (1-2) in the middle of their five-match homestand on Friday evening at Billingsley Tennis Center.

The Hogs claimed the early lead with a doubles sweep to take the 1-0 advantage. Junior Jake Sweeney and freshman Connor Smille teamed up for the first time this spring to earn a dominant 6-2 win on court three, while graduate Jared Horwood and senior Melvin Manuel grabbed a 6-3 victory to secure the doubles point for the Razorbacks. Senior Alan Sau Franco and sophomore Gerard Planelles Ripoll’s match went unfinished with the Arkansas duo ahead 5-3.

New Mexico struck first in singles play as Georgio Samaha defeated Sau Franco in straight sets. The Hogs responded by claiming the next two points as sophomores Božo Barun and Benedikt Emesz both secured their third victories of the season with wins on courts two and five. In the top spot, No. 122 Arda Azkara bested No. 117 Planelles Ripoll in three sets, leaving the Lobos within one point of Arkansas.

The final two courts came down to the final set as senior Karlo Kajin overcame a first-set defeat to force a decisive third set against Alex Maggs while Manuel also fought back to send his match to a third set. On court six, Kajin pulled away early en route to a 6-2 victory, clinching the match for the Razorbacks. Manuel’s match was played out on court three, as he fell in a tight finish to Arthur Bellegy, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5).

The Hogs will return to Billingsley Tennis Center on Sunday, January 28 at 12 p.m. to host South Alabama.