No. 49 Arkansas Rallies Late, Falls Short of Upset Against No. 5 Kentucky

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 49 Arkansas men’s tennis team (14-9, 1-6) fell shy of an upset over No. 5 Kentucky (17-2, 8-0), dropping the match 4-3 on Friday evening at Billingsley Tennis Center.

In doubles play, the Wildcats took the early advantage after a win on court two, as Baadi/Loutit defeated Connor Smillie/Jake Sweeney, 6-3. The Razorbacks responded with Melvin Manuel/Alan Sau Franco earning their fourth consecutive victory together after a 6-4 win over Rankin/Weekes at the No. 3 position. The doubles point came down to court one as No. 23 Lapadat/Mercer clinched the point for Kentucky with a 6-4 victory against No. 29 Bozo Barun/Jared Horwood.

The Hogs struck first in singles play with Manuel defeating Weekes, 7-5, 6-0, at the No. 3 position while the Wildcats regained the lead after No. 36 Baadi took down Barun in straight sets in the top spot. Kentucky’s Cosnet followed with a three set win over Savva on court four, leaving the Wildcats within one point of taking the match.

Arkansas rallied to tie the match after victories from Gerard Planelles Ripoll and Karlo Kajin. Planelles Ripoll claimed his ninth win this dual season following a 6-4, 7-5 victory against Lapadat at the No. 2 position, while Kajin evened the match with a 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) win over Rankin on court six.

The match came down to court five, where Benedikt Emesz faced off against Jack Loutit. Loutit took the first set 6-2 while Emesz fought back to grab the second set 7-6 (6), forcing a winner-take-all third set. In the final set, Loutit pulled away early en route to a 6-2 victory, securing the match for Kentucky.

The Razorbacks return to Billingsley Tennis Center on Sunday, March 31, at noon to host No. 25 Auburn.