TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – After trailing 3-1 in the match, the Alabama men’s tennis team (14-9, 4-8 SEC) used a trio of singles wins to down the Auburn Tigers (16-8, 6-6 SEC) in a 4-3 victory on Thursday.

Matic Kriznik captured the first point for the Tide, after a 2-0 start by the Tigers. Despite Auburn moving to match point, the Tide captured huge victories from Filip Planinsek, Roan Jones and Damien Nezar to secure the home win.

The Tide and Tigers saw four tiebreakers in the match, including on court six. Additionally, the final two matches would come down to a third set as both Jones and Nezar won off a third-set tiebreaker, respectively.

“What a night. First off special thanks to the Culverhouse College of Business and the office of Student Athlete Enhancement. They worked their tails off to get butts in the seats and we were a full house tonight which is incredible. The droves of student-athletes, from so many different sports, are a testament to the culture we have here at Alabama. The Million Dollar Band made their second appearance and provided familiar sounds, mojo and magic as they go two-for-two on 4-3 Crimson Tide victories (UGA was the first).

“We had a magical moment on court six again, but this was after some outstanding performances on courts five (Matic), one (Filip) and two (Roan). Both Roan and Damien, in the end, were up against the ropes and had to stick jabs and body blows while also staying light on their feet. Great job by our coaching staff (Sebastian (Vile) and Ezequiel (Gils)) for keeping the last two guys loose, focused and confident. The doubles point may have taken the wind out of our sails with the big crowd on hand, but the guys gathered themselves and responded. So happy for the group. Such a team effort on the court and in the stands. That’s Bama.”

Match Notes

• Auburn secured an early lead after clinching the doubles point and tabbing a singles win off a retirement
• Kriznik found a straight set victory on court five, defeating Joey Phillips 6-3, 6-4
• Auburn recorded their third point of the match on court four, but No. 14 Filip Planinsek downed Will Nolan at the top of the lineup 7-6 (4), 6-2
• On court two, Jones would capture a first-set win, 6-2, but a 6-4 loss in set two forced a third set
• After a back-and-forth battle, Jones would dominate the tiebreaker, 7-4   
• The final point would come down to a three-set battle on court six
• Nezar took the first set at 6-4, but fell in a 7-2 tiebreaker in the second set
• The UA senior secured a dominant 5-0 start in the tiebreaker, before winning via a 7-4 score

Next

• Alabama will close the regular season against LSU and Mississippi State next weekend
• The Tide will face the Tigers on Friday, April 11, in a 5 p.m. CT match in Baton Rouge, LA., before hosting the Bulldogs on Sunday, April 13, at 1 p.m. CT   

Results

Doubles

1. #30 Damien Nezar/Andrii Zimnokh (UA) vs. #13 Will Nolan/Billy Blaydes (AUB) 5-5, unfinished
2. Joey Phillips/Alex Frusina (AUB) def. Filip Planinsek/Zach Foster (UA) 7-5
3. Jake Kennedy/Nicholas Heng (AUB) def. Roan Jones/Matic Kriznik (UA) 6-4

Order of Finish 3,2

Singles

1. #14 Filip Planinsek (UA) def. Will Nolan (AUB) 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
2. #96 Roan Jones (UA) def. #57 Alex Frusina (AUB) 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4)
3. Billy Blaydes (AUB) def. #105 Matias Ponce De Leon (UA) 3-6, 6-0, retired
4. Hamza Nasridinov (AUB) def. Andrii Zimnokh (UA) 6-4, 6-4
5. Matic Kriznik (UA) def. Joey Phillips (AUB) 6-3, 6-4
6. Damien Nezar (UA) def. Nicholas Heng (AUB) 6-4, 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-4)

Order of Finish 3,5,4,1,2,6