NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Sunday was a battle, but Vanderbilt men’s tennis didn’t have quite enough to defeat Georgia, falling 4-3 in a tight match at the Ensworth Tennis Facility on Sunday.
The Commodores (13-11, 4-8 SEC) claimed a win in doubles on Court 2 to begin the match when Jeremie Casabon and Nathan Cox defeated No. 69 Ryan Colby and Thomas Paulsell 6-4. Georgia’s Cyrus Mahjoob and Miguel Perez took Court 3, 6-4, over Hugo Coquelin and Danil Panarin, and the doubles decision was left to Court 1. The No. 85 tandem of Joubert Klopper and Michael Ross fell in a tiebreak 7-6 (7), to Freddy Blaydes and Niels Ratiu, ranked 27th, and Georgia had the upper hand.
The Bulldogs claimed the first singles point, when No. 64 Colby defeated Cox on Court 2 in the third set, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Vanderbilt evened the score at 2 all when Ross overcame Mahjoob in a 7-5, 7-5 straight-set win, and Casabon took Court 4 in a third-set victory over No. 120 Perez. Coquelin put the Dores ahead when he claimed a third-set win over Blaydes on Court 6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, and the score was 3-2 Vanderbilt. Georgia came from underneath as No. 54 Paulsell defeated No. 60 Panarin in a third set, alongside Ratiu, who took Court 3 over Klopper in a tight match, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (2), 7-5.
“I am so proud of our guys today,” said Vanderbilt head coach Scott Brown. “They left their heart and souls out there today, but what I’m most proud of them for is that they competed with character and class. And if we continue to compete hard with character and class, then over time we will win more of these matches than lose them. Again, super proud of them and now full focus on Florida in the SEC tournament on Thursday. Fight Dores!”
Singles
1. #54 Paulsell (Georgia) def. #60 Panarin 5-7, 7-6 (8), 6-2
2. Colby (Georgia) def. Cox 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
3. Ratiu (Georgia) def. Klopper 7-6 (4), 6-7 (2), 7-5
4. Casabon (Vanderbilt) def. #120 Perez 7-5, 4-6, 6-4
5. Ross (Vanderbilt) def. Mahjoob 7-5, 7-5
6. Coquelin (Vanderbilt) def. Blaydes 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
Doubles
1. #27 Blaydes/Ratiu (Georgia) def. #85 Klopper/Ross 7-6 (7)
2. Casabon/Cox (Vanderbilt) def. #69 Colby/Paulsell 6-4
3. Mahjoob/Perez (Georgia) def. Panarin/Coquelin 6-4
Up Next: The Commodores head to Baton Rouge to compete in the SEC tournament this week.
