MONTGOMERY – The No.16-ranked Alabama men’s tennis team fell to No. 48 Ole Miss, 4-2, before besting No. 32 Texas Tech, 4-1, on Saturday at the 71st Blue Gray National Tennis Classic at Lagoon Park in Montgomery.
After Saturday’s results the Crimson Tide will enter Southeastern Conference play with a 10-2 mark.
The Tide began the day with a 1-0 advantage over the Rebels after earning the doubles point on Friday. Ole Miss responded with three-straight singles wins to take the 3-1 lead.
Sophomore Riccardo Roberto picked up his first of two singles wins on the day when he defeated Cotter Wilson, 6-4, 6-2, on court six, to cut the deficit 3-2. The Rebels clinched the win after earning a victory on court three.
UA responded by defeating TTU in the second match of the day. Senior Mazen Osama and sophomore Patrick Kaukovalta dominated the No. 8-ranked doubles pair in the country in Thomson/Wynn, 6-1. However, the Red Raiders won on courts two and three to claim the doubles point.
Alabama cruised through singles play, rattling off four straight victories to clinch the 4-1 win. Junior Edson Ortiz defeated No. 115 Parker Wynn and shortly after No. 108 Kaukovalta was victorious on court three to give the Tide the 2-1 advantage.
No. 32 Osama earned the 6-3, 6-2, win over No. 114 Tommy Mylnikov and Roberto clinched the match with his 6-4, 6-3, victory against Franco Ribero to conclude the tournament.
