No. 47 Razorbacks Split Doubleheader in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 47 Arkansas men’s tennis team (12-4, 0-1) split its road doubleheader on Sunday, falling 4-1 to No. 5 Tennessee (13-3, 2-0) before rebounding with a 4-0 win over Tennessee Tech (0-6).

The Volunteers obtained the early advantage in the first match with a victory on court three as Apltauer/Lalami defeated Connor Smillie/Gerard Planelles Ripoll, 6-2. Tennessee claimed the doubles point after a win from No. 36 Mitsui/Pieczonka over Božo Barun/Jake Sweeney. No. 8 Monday/Diaz followed moments later with a 6-3 victory over No. 45 Jared Horwood/Melvin Manuel at the No. 1 position.

The Vols carried their momentum into singles play, winning on courts two and three to extend their lead. Stefanos Savva secured the only point of the match for the Razorbacks after a 6-4, 6-4 victory over No. 82 Pieczonka at the No. 4 position. With the win, Savva collected his first ranked victory this season. Tennessee clinched the match on court one after No. 7 Monday bested Planelles Ripoll in straight sets.

The Razorbacks responded by taking the doubles point in the second match versus Tennessee Tech. Savva and Alan Sau Franco teamed up to earn a 6-3 win at the No. 3 position, while Tennessee Tech answered with a 6-4 victory from Burckhardt/Ramos Martin over Horwood/Benedikt Emesz in the top spot. The doubles point came down to court two as the duo of Smillie and Sweeney clinched the point with a narrow 6-4 win. The victory for Smillie/Sweeney marked their sixth win together this spring.

In singles play, Arkansas continued to roll by grabbing the first set on five courts. At the No. 1 position, Savva defeated Alvarez for his tenth victory this spring, while Smillie improved to 4-0 this dual season by taking down Kuczynski in straight sets. The Hogs sealed the win on court six as Horwood bested Krause, 6-2, 6-2.

The Razorbacks will return to Billingsley Tennis Center next weekend to continue SEC play as they host No. 45 Vanderbilt on Friday, March 8, and No. 16 South Carolina on Sunday, March 10.