Hogs fall to No. 33 Alabama

FAYETTEVILLE— On Sunday afternoon in the University of Alabama Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., the Hogs could not come out on top as they dropped a 4-0 decision to No. 33 Alabama (10-10, 3-5 SEC).

The Crimson Tide put a strong fight in doubles, taking the match at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions. Ricky Doverspike and Thompson defeated Matthew Hogan and Matt Walters, 8-4. At the top court, the Alabama of No. 33 Saketh Myneni and Michael Davis clinched the match ousting No. 68 Arkansas duo of Christopher Nott and Dmitry Lebedev, 8-6.

In singles, Alabama took wins at the first three courts to finish to take the match over Arkansas. The series of Crimson Tide triumphs started at the No. 2 position, where Lebedev was outlasted by Doverspike, 6-1, 6-3. That win was followed by Michael Thompson’s 6-2, 6-2 win over freshman Gregoire Lehmann at the No. 4 position. The Crimson now owned a 3-0 lead over the Hogs in need of just one more point to take the match. The Hogs did not back down and battle to the end.

Highlighting the match on court six, was freshman Mike Ward was seemingly out of the match, down 1-4 but rallied back to win the first set 7-5 over Ian Chadwell. Ward and Chadwell continued to exchange the advantage in the second set. At the No. 3 position, Hogan was up a set and was gaining speed in the second set against Jarryd Botha. Standout sophomore Matt Walters dropped the first set to Houssaam Yassine but even the score at three-all in the second before the match was clinched at the No.1 position.

The Crimson Tide snatched victory as No. 60 Chris Nott battled but eventually fell to No. 31 Saketh Mynei in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.

Arkansas returns to action this weekend for a pair conference matches at the George M. Billingsley Tennis Center. The Hogs will host Vanderbilt on Friday at 1:30 p.m./ and then will play Kentucky on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

Complete Results

Singles 2,4,1*

No. 31 Saketh Mynei (UA) def. Christopher Nott (ARK) 6-3, 6-3

Ricky Doverspike (UA) def. Dmitry Lebedev (ARK) 6-1, 6-3

Matthew Hogan (ARK) vs Jarryd Botha (UA) 6-3, 3-4 (unf.)

Michael Thompson (UA) def. Gregoire Lehmann (ARK) 6-2, 6-2

Matt Walters (ARK ) def. Houssam Yassine (UA) 1-6, 3-3 (unf.)

Mike Ward (ARK) vs. Ian Chadwell (UA) 7-5, 2-2 (unf.)

Doubles

Order of Finish: 2,1*

#64 Myneni/Michael Davis (UA) def. #68 Nott/Lebedev (ARK) 8-6

Doverspike/Thompson (UA) def. Hogan/Walters (ARK) 8-4

King/Williams (UA) vs. Botha/Walston (UA) 7-5( unf.)