No. 44 Razorbacks Comeback to Defeat No. 55 Ole Miss, Advance to Play No. 32 Florida

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 44 Arkansas men’s tennis team (18-13) overcame an early 1-0 deficit to defeat No. 55 Ole Miss (12-14) with four singles wins en route to a 4-2 victory in the first round of the SEC Tournament Wednesday evening at Carolina Tennis Center.

The Rebels took the early advantage in doubles with a victory on court two, as Lestir/Martin earned a 6-2 victory over Božo Barun and Benni Emesz. Ole Miss claimed the doubles point after a win from No. 64 Milburn/Stromberg against No. 24 Connor Smillie and Jakub Vrba in the top spot. Brendan Boland and Lukas Palovic’s match at the No. 3 position went unfinished with the Razorback duo ahead 5-3.

The Hogs struck first in singles play as Vrba cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Lestir on court three, while Arthur Bellegy gave Arkansas its first lead of the match after a commanding 6-2, 6-3 win against Martin at the No. 5 position. The Rebels evened the score yet again with a straight-set victory from Chambonniere over Emesz on court four.

The Razorbacks regained the lead following a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 comeback win from Barun against Stromberg at the No. 2 position. The Hogs clinched the match on court one as No. 56 Palovic rebounded from dropping the first set to secure the next two on his way to a 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Schlagenhauf.

At the No. 6 position, Smillie fell in an opening-set tiebreak 6-7 (6) before climbing back to take the second set 6-2 and held a 1-0 lead in the final set as his match was abandoned.

Arkansas advances to the second round of the SEC Tournament to play sixth-seeded No. 32 Florida tomorrow evening at 5 p.m. CT. The Razorbacks and Gators faced off earlier this season in Gainesville, as Florida bested the Hogs 4-1.