Razorbacks Top Tide
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Dominant doubles play and a strong singles effort helped Arkansas to a 4-1 victory against Alabama, the program’s third straight win over the Crimson Tide, on Friday night at George M. Billingsley Tennis Center.
The Razorbacks (6-13, 2-8 SEC) opened the night picking up the doubles point. Ana Oparenovic and Tatum Rice teamed up for a 6-2 win over Andie Daniell and Smith Hinton at the top spot. Arkansas picked up the win as the rain began to fall forcing a delay on the outside courts.
The teams moved inside and resumed play after a nearly 20-minute delay. Arkansas dropped the match at No. 2 but finished strong with a 6-2 win at No. 3 by Agne Cepelyte and Natsuho Arakawa to clinch the opening point.
Moving right into singles play, the Razorbacks got a first-set win at No. 1 with Giulia Pairone defeating Daniell, 6-1. Arkansas dropped the first sets at No. 4 and 5 but rallied with 6-3 first-set wins from Oparenovic and Mia Jurasic as the momentum swung back and forth between the teams.
Pairone continued her strong play taking a quick lead in the second set. She never trailed getting the 6-1, 6-3 win. The center-court victory gave Arkansas a 2-1 lead with four courts still playing.
Jurasic picked up the second singles win of the night with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Jacqueline Pelletier at No. 3, never trailing.
Courts two, four and six all went to a third set.
Arakawa secured the Arkansas win over the Tide (13-13, 0-10 SEC) with a thrilling come-from-behind win on court four over Ann Selim. After dropping the first set, 2-6, Arakawa rallied to win 6-2, 6-4 in the final two sets.
Up Next
Seniors Peyton Jennings and Jurasic will be recognized prior to Sunday’s Senior Day match at 1 p.m. CT against No. 17 Auburn. Doors will open at noon with the ceremony slated to begin at approximately 12:50 p.m. CT.
