Hogs winning streak continues

FAYETTEVILLE – The No. 51 University of Arkansas men’s tennis team finished strong this weekend going 3-0, at the Dills Indoor Tennis Center in Fayetteville. On Friday, Arkansas defeated Louisiana-Lafayette and continued to ride the momentum into the final match. The Hogs kept up the pressure, defeating Wichita State, 6-1, before dismissing Cowley County Community College, 7-0. The Razorbacks captured their fifth win of the season and boasted a weekend record of 19-2, respectively.

Arkansas took no time to start the domination in singles competition. On the top court, No. 81 Christopher Nott led the charge, defeating Vlad Marinsescu of Wichita State in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2. The winning streak continued as senior Dmitry Lebedev is winning streak continued with a 6-0, 6-3 over the Shocker’s Valentin Mahia. Lebedev’s victory gave the Hogs a 3-0 lead over Wichita State.

"We played some good matches today," head coach Robert Cox said. "Wichita is a very good team. They are an extremely deep team and have no holes in their lineup."

Standout freshman Gregoire Lehmann had another stunning performance this weekend clinching the win for the Hogs at the No. 4 singles position. Lehmann struggled in the first set against Wichita State’s David Cavalcanti but was able to fight back to win the match, 6-4, 6-2. In his second match of the day against the Cowley County Lions, Lehmann moved up to the No. 2 singles position. He defeated Joan Valls, 6-2, 6-2, earning his fifth consecutive win at Arkansas.

There was fierce competition on court 3, as junior Matthew Hogan and Sven Kasper went head-to-head. Hogan gained control to win the match in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5.

At the No. 6 position, sophomore Matt Walters dropped the first set to Jonathon Obrist, 3-6. Walters bounced back winning six consecutive games to even the score at a set apiece to force a tiebreaker. Walters continued to find his rhythm and won the match, 3-6, 6-3, 1-0(6). Walters wasted no time to defeat Felipe Pimenta of Cowley County, 6-1, 6-2.

In other singles action, Nikolas Zogaj took an early lead over Jonathon Obrist winning the first but Obrist fought back and defeated Zogaj in a dueling tiebreaker, 3-6, 6-3, 1-0(5). Wichita picked up their lone win of the day to conclude the match Arkansas won the match, 6-1. Zogaj returned to the courts against Cowley County’s Renato Mendes. Zogaj ran away with the lead to win the match, 6-0, 6-3.

"I am very pleased with the level of tennis we are playing," Cox said. "The teams hardworking is showing and we continued to improve in every session."

Highlighting the match against Cowley County was freshman Mike Ward, debuting in singles at the No.1 position against Lloyd Bruce-Burgess. Bruce-Burgess took the first set, 6-3. Ward, determined to win, came back from behind and eventually won the match, 3-6, 6-3, 1-0(6).

Nicholas Spinazze wrapped up the successful weekend earning the Hogs the final singles point of the day. Samir Hailkal pulled out to claim the first set. In the second set, the duo traded the advantage back and forth. Spinazze managed to take the lead and win the match, 6-1.

"I am very pleased with our doubles performance," Cox said. "Continue to be successful and have won six out of seven of our doubles points."

Arkansas showcased strong doubles this weekend, winning thirteen consecutive matches. The Hogs have won six out seven doubles points. At the No.1 position, the tandem of Nott and Lebedev were unstoppable first defeating, Marinsescu and Sven Kasper, 8-4, before defeating the duo of Lloyd Bruce-Burgess and Joan Valls of Cowley County, 8-4. Hogan and Walters were undefeated in doubles on Sunday, with a win over the Shocker’s duo of Pereria and Mahia, 8-4, before defeating Mendes and White 8-2. Arkansas seniors Taylor King and Bradwin Williams defeated Cavalcanti and Obrist of Wichita,8-6. Arkansas changed the lineup against the Lions on court three. Ward and Zogaj stepped up to claim an 8-6 victory over Cowley County’s Alex Dickson and Samir Hailkal, 8-5.

"We look forward to hitting the road to face a tough match against Oklahoma next weekend," Cox said. "Last year we were able to edge a 4-3 win over the Sooners last year."

The Hogs will head to Norman, Okla. to face the Oklahoma Sooners, Friday Feb. 12, at 3 p.m. For complete coverage visit: ArkansasRazorbacks.com.Arkansas 6Wichita St 1Singles)Order of Finish: 1, 2, 4*, 3, 6, 5Chris Nott (UA) def. Vlad Marinsescu (WSU) 6-1, 6-2Dmitry Lebedev (UA) def. Valentin Mahia (WSU) 6-0, 6-3Matt Hogan (UA) def. Sven Kasper (WSU) 6-4, 7-5Gregoire Lehmann (UA) def. David Cavalcanti (WSU) 6-4, 6-2Adrian Chermaci (WSU) def.Nikolas Zogaj (UA) 6-3, 3-6, 1-0(5)Matt Walters (UA) def. Jonathon Obrist (WSU) 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 (6)

DoublesOrder of Finish: 1, 2*, 3Nott/Lebedev (UA) def. Obrist/Cavalcanti (WSU) 8-4Hogan/Walters (UA) def. Pereria/Mahia (WSU) 8-4King/Williams (UA) def. Cavalcanti/Obrist (WSU) 8-6

Arkansas 7Cowley County C.C. 0Order of Finish: 2, 4*,5,3, 1, 6Mike Ward (UA) def. Lloyd Bruce-Burgess (CCCC) 3-6, 6-3, 1-0(6)Gregoire Lehmann (UA) def. Joan Valls (CCCC) 6-2, 6-2Nikolas Zogaj (UA) def. Renato Mendes (CCCC) 6-0, 6-3Bradwin Williams (UA) def. Roger White (CCCC) 6-3, 6-0Matt Walters (UA) def. Felipe Pimenta (CCCC) 6-1, 6-2Nicholas Spinazze (UA) def. Samir Hailkahl (CCCC) 7-6(0), 6-3

DoublesOrder of Finish: 2, 1*, 3Chris Nott/Dmitry Lebedev (UA) def. Lloyd Bruce-Burgess/Joan Walls (CCCC) 8-4Matt Hogan/Matt Walters (UA) def. Renato Mendes/Roger White (CCCC) 8-2Mike Ward/Nikolas Zogaj (UA) def. Alex Dickson/Samir Hailkal (CCCC) 8-5