UA TENNIS: Tide men’s tennis outlasts No. 21 Pepperdine

MALIBU, Calif. | The 10th ranked University of Alabama men’s tennis team came from behind to defeat No. 21 Pepperdine, 4-3, on the road. With the win, the Crimson Tide improves to 7-0.

The Tide had trouble in the top of the singles lineup. Losses at nos. 4, 1 and 3 put Alabama at a 3-1 disadvantage with three singles players left on the court. The Tide’s Saketh Myneni pulled out a big win over No. 13 Bassam Beidas, 7-5, 6-2, from the No. 2 slot to move the Tide within one point of the Waves.

Junior transfer Michael Jung picked up the second singles point for the Tide from the No. 5 position. Jung defeated Mahmoud Kamel, 6-4, 7-6, in his inaugural match as a member of the Tide.

From the No. 6 slot, senior Javier Bes pulled out a three-set match against Johannes de Villiers, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, to clinch the match for Alabama.

The Tide returns home this week to prepare for the ITA National Indoor Team Championships that run Feb. 15-18, hosted by the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash.

The University of Alabama women’s tennis team fell in a hard-fought battle to Louisville at the UA Varsity Courts. With the loss, Alabama falls to 2-2.

The Crimson Tide made a strong effort to come back after losing the doubles point. Alabama freshmen Meritt Emery and Tiffany Welcher picked up singles wins to put the Tide within one of the Cardinals. Emery defeated Natalia Baez, 6-4, 6-1, from the No. 4 slot, while Welcher beat Lindsey Jones, 6-4, 6-4, from the No. 1 position.

Alabama is back in action today at the UA Varsity Courts to face the 74th ranked Rice Owls at noon.