Razorbacks Return To Action, Open SEC Play

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark – After a nearly three-week break from competition, the Arkansas men’s tennis team returns to the court for three matches this weekend, including its SEC opener at Alabama on Sunday.

Arkansas (4-5) begins play this weekend with a doubleheader at Alabama State (4-7) on Friday, with the first match scheduled for 10 a.m. and the second match to follow at 1 p.m. Arkansas will then travel and face Alabama (6-6) in its SEC opener on Sunday at 1 p.m.

“We are hoping to show improvement as we start the SEC season,” head coach Andy Jackson said. “On the road at Alabama is always difficult. We have had very good preparation these last two weeks and we are looking forward to getting back into competition.”

Before the break, Arkansas had faced four top-25 teams and two others that were receiving votes in the national rankings, defeating Tulsa 4-3 in the season opener. Arkansas concluded the nine-game stretch with a doubleheader sweep of Lamar and UMKC on Feb. 11.

Mike Redlicki (No. 5) and Jose Salazar (No. 22) remain in the top 25 in the latest Oracle/ITA national singles rankings, and they also combine for the nation’s No. 57 doubles team. Arkansas is the only team in the SEC and one of three teams in the nation, along with Ohio State and Wake Forest, with two players ranked in the top 25 of the singles rankings.

Redlicki is 2-3 in singles play, while Salazar is 6-2 in singles play, and they combine for a 3-1 record in doubles play. Redlicki, Salazar and Johan den Toom all have wins over ranked singles opponents this season. Oscar Mesquida and Adam Sanjurjo also have a 5-3 record in doubles play.

Alabama State enters the weekend with a 4-7 record, including a 3-0 run at the SWAC Roundup this past weekend in Jackson, Mississippi, where the Hornets defeated Prairie View A&M, Jackson State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Alabama is coming off a 1-2 weekend at the Blue Gray National Tennis Classic in Montgomery, Alabama, where the Crimson Tide defeated Boise State and lost to Virginia Tech and Texas Tech. Alabama is led by Mazen Osama, the No. 62 player in the nation, who enters the weekend with a 14-6 record, including a 3-3 record against ranked opponents.

Alabama hosts Ole Miss to open SEC play on Friday, before facing Arkansas on Sunday.

After the three matches this weekend, Arkansas continues play on the road, traveling to Tennessee and No. 22 Georgia, before returning home to face No. 19 South Carolina on March 16.

For more information on Razorback men’s tennis, please follow @RazorbackMTEN on Twitter.