Tigers Fall 4-3 to Mississippi State

Wednesday, February 7

Memphis, Tenn.

1:00 PM

University of Memphis

Mississippi State

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Feb 07, 2024 | Men's Tennis

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – In a match that went nearly three-and-a-half hours, the University of Memphis men's tennis team fell 4-3 to Mississippi State Wednesday afternoon at the Leftwich Tennis Center.

In doubles, the Tigers got off to a quick start with No. 38 Pablo Alemany and Charlie Barry taking a 6-2 win at No. 1 over MSU's No. 29 pairing of Petar Jovanovic and Benito Sanchez.

The Bulldogs (5-3) bounced back with a 6-3 win at No. 2, but seconds after they tied the match, Pau Fanlo and Sam Reeve finished off the decisive point for the Tigers with a 6-4 win at the third line to give Memphis the doubles point.

Mississippi State responded in singles action with wins on courts two and four to take a 2-1 lead. Senior Juan Zabala continued his hot start to the spring season at the No. 5 spot with a 7-5, 6-2 win, pulling the Tigers even. Zabala improved to 6-1 in singles this season.

The Bulldogs went back in front at the top line when No. 26 Jovanovic came from behind to upend No. 123 Alemany 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. Memphis, once again, responded at the bottom with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 victory from Moritz Kudernatsch on court six to tie it up at 3-3.

Play on court three looked to be in Memphis' favor early on with Pau Fanlo winning 7-6(4) in the first frame, however, Mississippi State's Dusan Milanovic bounced back with 6-3, 6-1 wins in the next two sets to secure the victory for the Bulldogs.

UP NEXT:
Memphis continues its SEC tour Saturday with a trip down to Oxford, Mississippi to take on Ole Miss at 5 p.m. The Tigers aren't back at Leftwich until Feb. 23 when LSU comes to town.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tiger Men's Tennis, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.