STARKVILLE, Miss. – Despite jumping out to an early lead, the Alabama men’s tennis team (2-1) fell to Auburn (6-0), 4-1, in the opening round of the ITA Kickoff Weekend tournament.

The Crimson Tide captured back-to-back doubles wins for the early advantage. However, four consecutive singles wins clinched the match for the Tigers.  

Match Notes

• The doubles duo of Jacob Olar and Andrii Zimnokh dropped just three games at the No. 1 spot to top the No. 24 national pairing of Billy Blaydes and Freddy Blades  
• Rohan Hazratwala and Gray Voelzke captured their second consecutive win as a doubles team with a 6-4 victory at the No. 3 spot
• In singles, Vit Kalina was leading, 6-4, 3-6, 4-1, in the third set when the match was clinched
• Matic Kriznik also forced a third set on court two as he was trailing by one game in the third with a 6-4, 3-6, 4-5 result

Next

• Alabama will compete in the consolation match of the ITA Kickoff Weekend on Saturday
• The contest against the loser of the match between No. 7 Mississippi State and Santa Clara is set for 8 a.m. CT

Results

Doubles

1. #12 Jacob Olar/Andrii Zimnokh (UA) def. #24 Billy Blaydes/Freddy Blades (AUB) 6-3
2. #49 Nicholas Heng/Joey Phillips (AUB) vs. #66 Vit Kalina/Matic Kriznik (UA) 3-5, unfinished
3. Rohan Hazratwala/Gray Voelzke (UA) def. Alan Bojarski/Jake Kennedy (AUB) 6-4

Singles

1. #40 Hamza Nasridinov (AUB) def. Andrii Zimnokh (UA) 4-6, 6-3, 6-0
2. #27 Matic Kriznik (UA) vs. #36 Billy Blaydes (AUB) 6-4, 3-6, 4-5, unfinished
3. Vit Kalina (UA) vs. Nicholas Heng (AUB) 6-4, 3-6, 4-1, unfinished
4. Freddy Blades (AUB) def. Carlos Gimenez Perez (UA) 2-6, 6-0, 6-2
5. Alan Bojarski (AUB) def. Jacob Olar (UA) 6-3, 6-0
6. Manel Lazaro (AUB) def. Rohan Hazratwala (UA) 6-3, 6-4

Order of Finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (5,6,4,1)