Men’s Tennis Starts Off Season with Statement Win

The Razorback men’s tennis team started its season with a victory after going away from home to face the Tulsa Hurricanes.

Arkansas gained the early advantage after freshman Jose and sophomore Pedro Alonso overpowered freshman Lucca Baptista and senior Mitchell Pritchard of the Hurricanes 6-1 at the No. 3 spot. At the No. 2 spot, freshman Josh Howard-Tripp and senior Jose Salazar overcame a 3-2 deficit against Tulsa’s freshman Louis Croker and freshman Joshua Goodger to seal the doubles point for the Hogs. Arkansas won the doubles battle 2-0.

The third doubles game between Razorbacks junior Adam Sanjurjo and junior Oscar Mesquida against Tulsa’s sophomore Jarod Hing and junior Majed Kilani was stopped at 4-4.

In singles, Salazar, ranked No. 113 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, defeated No. 56 Majed Kilani 6-3, 6-0 at the No. 1 spot. This put the Hogs up 2-0 over the Hurricanes. Arkansas’ Howard-Tripp followed with 6-2, 6-1 win over Corker.

Tulsa finally got on board after No. 82 Goodger defeated Sanjurjo in a close 6-4, 6-4 match. This put the Hurricanes at a 3-1 deficit overall and gave them hope for a comeback win.

Shortly after, their hope would be trounced by a match-clinching win from Mesquida to put the Hogs up 4-1.

The Hurricanes were not done yet. Baptista beat Pedro Alonso 6-7, 3-6 to give them a second win on the day and put the total score to 4-2.

After their second loss, the Hogs did not look back. Jose Alonso ended the day with a 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 win giving the Razorbacks an overall 5-2 win.

Up next, the Razorbacks are set to face the No. 18 Oklahoma Sooners on Jan. 15. Norman, Oklahoma