Men’s Tennis Falls to LSU

The Florida Gator men’s tennis team lost it’s second straight match to LSU 4-2 Friday.

Things started out good for the Gators at No. 1 doubles where senior Bob van Overbeek and junior Stephane Piro took out the Tiger pair of seniors Olivier Borsos and Roger Anderson 8-5. However, things quickly turned in LSU’s favor at No. 2 doubles where LSU’s duo of senior Stefan Szacinski and freshman Tam Trinh evened the doubles with an 8-4 win over Florida senior Billy Federhofer and freshman Gordon Watson.

No.3 doubles was the match of the day as Florida juniors Michael Alford and Florent Diep were down 4-1 to LSU sophomores Chris Simpson and Boris Arias before mounting a comeback that saw the Gators even the match at 8-8 and force a tiebreak. Despite fighting back the Tigers proved to be to much for the Gators winning 9-8 (4) to give the Tigers the doubles point.

The Gators quickly recovered in singles on court No. 4. Michael Alford defeated LSU’s Mark Bowtell 6-3, 6-3 to even the match one point a piece. Alford dominated Bowtell with his serve making it difficult for Bowtell to get into Alford’s service games.

The match once against swung in LSU’s favor at court No. 3. Federhofer got off to a hot start for the Gators and was up 3-0 in the first set, before the Tigers Olivier Boras roared back to win the match 6-4, 6-4 to give LSU the 2-1 advantage.

The match continued to swing LSU’s way on court No. 1. as  Chris Simpson defeated Florida’s Stephane Piro 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead in the match. Piro started out strong, but got down a break in the second and third set, which Piro was able unable to overcome.

Florida fought back on court No. 6 to close the lead to 3-2. Florida freshman Luke Johnson  lost a tough opening set tiebreaker, but was able to take the next two sets over LSU freshman Harrison Kennedy 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-5.

LSU was able to finish off the match on court No. 5 where LSU’s Boris Arias defeated Florida’s Gordon Watson 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The Gators are 9-8 on the season and will face Arkansas on Sunday at 1 p.m.