LEXINGTON, Ky. — Vanderbilt men’s tennis dropped Saturday’s road contest 4-2 to Kentucky, marking the sixth straight loss for the Dores.
“Super proud of our guys today,” head coach Scott Brown said. “We were right there with last year’s SEC champions on their courts, where they haven’t lost all season yet. I know from a results standpoint it’s been a tough three-week stretch, but this group of young men are going to catch fire again at some point this season.”
Vandy collected the doubles point for the second time in the last five matches. Freshman Dylan Charlap and fifth year Henry Ruger notched their first win together at No. 3 doubles, taking down Martin Breysach and Charlelie Cosnet 6-4. Freshman Pablo Martinez Gomez and sophomore Danil Panarin clinched the doubles point with a comeback 7-6 (5) victory over Antoine Ghibaudo and Jaden Weekes.
Senior Michael Ross notched the only singles victory for the Dores, a swift 6-1, 6-4 defeat of No. 105 Cosnet. The result marks Ross’ first ranked singles win this season, moving him to 1-1 against nationally ranked opponents. After dropping the first set, Martinez Gomez took the second on No. 53 Weekes 7-6 (4) at No. 3 singles. The Wildcat fended off the late push from Martinez Gomez, sealing the battle 6-3 in the final frame. Ruger generated an early lead at No. 5 singles against Matt Rankin. The two fought to a third set before the match was abandoned after Kentucky secured the match.
“These young men continue to push, check boxes off and stay consistent with their training and their lives through the ups and downs,” Brown said. “That is what I love most about this group. Every great program and dynasty goes through these stretches. Vandy men’s tennis is going to be great in the long run; we are going to continue to push, to grow and be willing to be uncomfortable no matter the results. This team grows closer with each match, and as their coach, I am super proud of them for continuing to push. We win and we learn.”
No. 48 Vanderbilt (8-9, 1-6 SEC) returns to Nashville for a weekend home stand against No. 13 Texas A&M and Florida. The two matches will be a part of the program’s alumni weekend, with events and activities Friday through Sunday. More information on alumni weekend is available online. For updates and exclusive game day content, follow the Vanderbilt men’s tennis team, @VandyMTennis, on Instagram and X.
No. 33 Kentucky 4, No. 48 Vanderbilt 2
Doubles
1. Jack Loutit and Eli Stephenson (Kentucky) def. No. 28 Ross and Nathan Cox (Vanderbilt) 7-5
2. Martinez Gomez/Panarin (Vanderbilt) def. Ghibaudo/Weekes (UK) 7-6 (5)
3. Charlap/Ruger (Vanderbilt) def. Breysach/Cosnet (UK) 6-4
Singles
1. No. 70 Ghibaudo (Kentucky) def. Cox (Vanderbilt) 6-2, 6-3
2. No. 121 Loutit (Kentucky) def. Panarin (Vanderbilt) 6-3, 6-4
3. No. 53 Weekes (Kentucky) def. Martinez Gomez (Vanderbilt) 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3
4. Ross (Vanderbilt) def. No. 105 Cosnet (Kentucky) 6-1, 6-4
5. Ruger (Vanderbilt) vs. Rankin (Kentucky) 6-0, 3-6, 1-0, unfinished
6. Stephenson (Kentucky) def. Hugo Coquelin (Vanderbilt) 6-0 6-2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (4,1,2,3,6)
