No. 34 Men's Tennis Takes Down No. 25 Florida in Thrilling Fashion for Fifth-Straight Win

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 34 Arkansas men’s tennis team (19-9, 5-6) secured its fifth consecutive ranked win after an exciting 4-3 victory on Senior Night over No. 25 Florida (11-10, 5-6) on Friday evening at Billingsley Tennis Center.

The Razorbacks won the back-and-forth affair to earn their first victory over Florida since 2014 and only the second win against the Gators since 1985. The streak of five straight ranked victories marks the longest streak since 1985.

The Hogs took the early advantage in doubles play with a win on court three, as Melvin Manuel and Alan Sau Franco defeated Jefferson/Jin, 7-5. Arkansas claimed the doubles point after a 7-6 (2) victory in the top spot from No. 47 Bozo Barun/Jared Horwood over No. 31 Bonetto/Kim. The win for Barun and Horwood marks their fourth ranked victory together this season. Connor Smillie and Jake Sweeney’s match went unfinished with the score tied 5-5.

Florida struck first in singles play with Bonetto besting Stefanos Savva in straight sets at the No. 4 position. Barun responded to collect his third ranked singles win of the season after taking down No. 52 Jin in straight sets to give the Razorbacks a 2-1 lead. The Gators answered with a victory on court six as Edengren defeated Kajin, 6-3, 6-4.

Arkansas took the lead again following a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 win from Manuel against No. 106 Ganesan at the No. 3 position. The victory for Manuel marks his third ranked singles win this year. Florida evened the score yet again after a victory on court five, as Nirundorn bested Emesz, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (6).

The match came down to court two, where No. 89 Gerard Planelles Ripoll faced off against No. 125 Aidan Kim. Planelles Ripoll took the first set 7-6 (3) while Kim fought back to win the second set 6-3, forcing a winner-take-all third set. In the final set, Planelles Ripoll pulled away late en route to a 6-3 victory to secure the fifth-straight ranked win for the Hogs. The victory for Planelles Ripoll also marks his third ranked win this spring.

The Razorbacks are back in action on Sunday, April 14, at 1 p.m. to host No. 12 Mississippi State at Billingsley Tennis Center.