Hogs fall 4-3 to Rebels
Oxford, Miss.— The University of Arkansas men’s tennis team set serve against the Ole Miss Rebels in the first round of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend tournament in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday morning. Arkansas continued to fight back but Mississippi clinched the win, 4-3, in the final match. Arkansas will go head-to-head with either Columbia or Indiana in the consolation round of play on Sunday at the Gillom Sport Center.
Highlighting the match was No. 81-ranked Christopher Nott’s domination over No. 49-ranked Tucker Vorster of Mississippi in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. Nott’s victory over Vorster evened the score at 2-2. The Rebels appeared to take control as Jonas Lutjen defeated Dmitry Lebedev, 6-2, 6-2, and Matthew Hogan fell in a dueling battle to Marcel Theiman, 6-1, 6-4, on court two.
“Hats off to Chris and Gregoire,” Cox said. “They stepped up and played some great tennis.”
The Rebels winning streak seemed unstoppable as freshman Gregoire Lehmann dropped the first set to Harry Fowler, 1-6. Lehmann returned strong in the second set to square the match at a set apiece. Lehmann’s momentum continued and he won the match, 1-6, 6-1,6-1. Senior Taylor King fought hard but eventually fell to Adrian Forberg Skogeng, 7-5, 6-2. On court 6, in a heated match tied at 3-3, Chris Theimann clinched the match defeating Nikolas Zogaj, 6-3, 6-3.
“We continue to improve each game,” Cox said. “Our doubles continues to be the highlight of our team right now.”
In doubles action, the Hogs proved strong, Hogan and Matt Walters claimed the first win of the match defeating Theimann-Theimann of Mississippi, 9-8(6). On court one, Nott and Lebedev overpowered the highly touted duo of Vorster and Lutjin to win the match in a close tiebreaker, 9-8(5), to clinch the double’s point.
“We are going to have to bounce back quickly and be ready for tough match.” Cox said.
The Razorbacks will return to the courts on Sunday at 9 a.m. for the consolation round of at the ITA Kick-Off Weekend. For complete coverage visit: ArkansasRazorbacks.com.
Complete Results
Arkansas 3 Ole Miss 4
Singles
Order of finish: 3, 2,1 ,5, 4, and 6*
No. 81 Christopher Nott (UA) def. No. 49 Tucker Vorster (Miss) 6-3, 6-3
Marcel Thiemann (Miss) def. Matthew Hogan (UA) 6-1, 6-4
Jonas Lutjen (Miss) def. Dmitry Lebedev (UA) 6-2, 6-2
Adrian Forberg Skogeng def. Taylor King (UA) 7-5, 6-2
Gregoire Lehmann (UA) def. Harry Fowler (Miss.) 1-6, 6-1, 6-1
Chris Theimann (Miss.) def. Nikolas Zogaj (UA) 6-3, 6-3
Doubles
Order of Finish: 3,2,1*
Nott/Lebedev (UA) def. Vorster/Lutjen (Miss.) 9-8(5).
Hogan/Walters (UA) def. Theimann/Theimann (Miss.) 9-8(6)
Forberg Skogeng/Fowler (Miss.) def. King/Zogaj (UA) 8-4
