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The No. 20 Gators men’s tennis team took an agonizing 4-3 loss to No. 7 Georgia on Sunday afternoon.
The loss comes off of a match against Tennessee on Saturday. Florida also lost that matchup 4-3.
Heartbreaker.#GoGators | Presented by @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/NsfJcqYYTN
— Gators Men's Tennis (@GatorsMTN) April 9, 2023
The Gators came within a couple points of handing the Bulldogs its first SEC loss of the season. The orange and blue started strong by clinching a seventh consecutive doubles point.
No. 10 Will Grant and Axel Nefve faced their second consecutive ranked duo but made quick work of No.7 Ethan Quinn and Trent Bryde 6-2.
Doubles update:
That’s a W over No. 7 Bryde/Quinn ‼️
✅ #10 Grant/Nefve, 6-2
2️⃣ Bonetto/Nirundorn ⬇️ 2-5
3️⃣ Braswell/Greif ⬇️ 3-4#GoGators pic.twitter.com/mpIpv889es— Gators Men's Tennis (@GatorsMTN) April 9, 2023
With Nate Bonetto and Tanapatt Nirundorn falling on court two, the doubles point would come down to Jonah Braswell and Lukas Grief. While both teams converted breaks in the set, the Gators would convert one at 5-5 and serve out the match for a 7-5 victory.
THE CLINCHERS 😤😤
✅ #10 Grant/Nefve, 6-2
❌ Bonetto/Nirundorn, 2-6
✅ Braswell/Greif, 7-5UF 1, UGA 0#GoGators pic.twitter.com/PEroPZ79ni
— Gators Men's Tennis (@GatorsMTN) April 9, 2023
Late Disappointment in Singles
Georgia would get quick responses in singles, winning first sets on four of six courts. They quickly converted straight-set victories on courts one and three to go up 2-1.
Singles update:
Remaining four will go to third sets.
2️⃣ #92 Will Grant ↔️ 5-7, 6-4
4️⃣ Lukas Greif ↔️ 6-3, 6-7 (8), 1-0
5️⃣ Nate Bonetto ↔️ 6-1, 6-7 (2)
6️⃣ Tanapatt Nirundorn ↔️ 4-6, 6-4, 1-2UF 1, UGA 2#GoGators pic.twitter.com/rUvvOXfoKO
— Gators Men's Tennis (@GatorsMTN) April 9, 2023
Similar to the Tennessee match, Nirundorn would come through for the Gators to even the score at 2-2. The freshman split the first two sets with Georgia’s Teodor Giusca. Tied 4-4 in the third set, Nirundorn produced a spectacular backhand approach and volley on deuce that gave him the break. Serving for the match, Nirundorn found himself at deuce point again, but a great second serve sealed the victory.
Singles update:
TANAPATT TIES IT!!!!
2️⃣ #92 Will Grant ↔️ 5-7, 6-4, 4-5
4️⃣ Lukas Greif ↔️ 6-3, 6-7 (8), 5-5
5️⃣ Nate Bonetto ↔️ 6-1, 6-7 (2), 3-3
✅ Tanapatt Nirundorn, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4UF 2, UGA 2#GoGators pic.twitter.com/qa2eLErIt5
— Gators Men's Tennis (@GatorsMTN) April 9, 2023
The remaining three singles matches also went to deciding sets. No. 92 Grant found himself in a battle with No. 13 Philip Henning. Fighting all the way to a tiebreak, Grant tied it up at 4-4. Henning, however, pulled away in the end for the victory 7-5.
Singles update:
🗣️ TAKE THE FINAL TWO GATORS
❌ #92 Will Grant, 5-7, 6-4, 6-7 (5)
4️⃣ Lukas Greif ↔️ 6-3, 6-7 (8), 6-6 (6-7)
5️⃣ Nate Bonetto ↔️ 6-1, 6-7 (2), 5-5UF 2, UGA 3#GoGators
— Gators Men's Tennis (@GatorsMTN) April 9, 2023
Lukas Grief also found himself in a tight match on court four. After comfortably taking the first set 6-3. Grief played into a second set tiebreak up 5-2, but No. 107 Blake Croyder battled back, saving three set points, and took the breaker 10-8. In a similar fashion to the second set, the third also saw a tiebreaker. After starting up 3-0, Grief lost the following six points. Despite saving three match points, Grief ultimately suffered heartbreak for the Gators.
Back in action
Florida will return to the court when they host UNF on Tuesday at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex.
