Coquelin Seals Senior Day Victory

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Facing a 3-2 deficit, sophomore Hugo Coquelin and fifth year Henry Ruger came through for Vanderbilt men’s tennis in a 4-3 takedown of No. 22 Oklahoma at the Lummis Tennis Center on Senior Day.

Oklahoma began the match in full control, taking the doubles point after securing wins at its top two positions. The Sooners also held a 5-4 advantage at the No. 3 spot before the match was abandoned. It is just the second time in the last six matches Vanderbilt has dropped the doubles point.

Singles play began split across the board, with the Dores taking first set leads at two of the four active courts. Junior Nathan Cox evened the match score at 1-1 after defeating No. 91 Luis Alvarez 6-4, 6-2 at No. 3 singles. The result ends a nine-match losing streak to ranked singles opponents for Cox. Sophomore Danil Panarin swung the momentum with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over No. 78 Oscar Lacides. Panarin now owns a team-high four ranked wins, and today’s result is his first coming at the No. 1 position.

The Sooners picked up a point at No. 2 singles shortly after, then proceeding to extend the lead to 3-2 behind Orel Kimhi’s 6-4, 6-4 result against senior Michael Ross. Oklahoma came within two points of taking the first set at No. 5 and No. 6 singles, but Ruger and Coquelin hung on, finishing off first set tiebreakers to generate an opening lead. The pair did not relinquish the advantage for the remainder of the match. Ruger attacked Jordan Hasson with his serve, ultimately claiming the second set 6-3. Coquelin used multiple extended rallies to wear down Alejandro Melero. In a deuce point up 5-3 in the set, the sophomore delivered a forehand Melero was unable to return, sending the Sooners home empty-handed.

The victory is the first over a top-25 opponent for the Dores this season. They extend their winning streak to four and now turn their focus to the upcoming SEC Tournament, hosted by South Carolina. It is Vanderbilt’s longest conference win streak since 2018.

No. 50 Vanderbilt (12-13, 4-10 SEC) begins play at the SEC Tournament on Wednesday. For more information, updates and exclusive game day content, follow the Vanderbilt men’s tennis team, @VandyMTennis, on Instagram and X.

No. 50 Vanderbilt 4, No. 22 Oklahoma 3

Doubles
1. No. 26 Lacides/Bruno Nhavene (Oklahoma) def. No. 40 Cox/Ross (Vanderbilt) 6-4
2. Alvarez/Kholo Montsi (Oklahoma) def. Pablo Martinez Gomez/Panarin (Vanderbilt) 6-0
3. Dylan Charlap/Ruger (Vanderbilt) vs. Hasson/Kimhi (Oklahoma) 4-5, unfinished

Singles
1. Panarin (Vanderbilt) def. No. 78 Lacides (Oklahoma) 6-3, 6-4
2. Montsi (Oklahoma) def. Martinez Gomez (Vanderbilt) 6-4, 6-3
3. Cox (Vanderbilt) def. No. 91 Alvarez (OU) 6-4, 6-2
4. Kimhi (Oklahoma) def. Ross (Vanderbilt) 6-4, 6-4
5. Ruger (Vanderbilt) def. Hasson (Oklahoma) 7-6 (7), 6-3
6. Coquelin (Vanderbilt) def. Melero (Oklahoma) 7-6 (5), 6-3

Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (3,1,2,4,5,6)