TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Junior Riccardo Roberto faced three match points in a second-set tiebreaker before coming back and coming out victorious in three sets in the No. 17 Alabama men's tennis team's 4-3 victory over No. 45 Vanderbilt on Sunday at the Alabama Tennis Stadium. With the win, the Crimson Tide improves to 11-5 on the year, including 2-2 in Southeastern Conference play, while the Commodores drop to 7-6 and 1-3 in the SEC.

From Coach Husack

"It was a great response from the team today after a tough Friday night," head coach George Husack said. "All of our matches have given our guys the opportunity to face adversity and embrace it. The difference today was their ability to compete from beginning to the end. It started with tremendous purpose in doubles especially with Riccardo and Zhe (Zhou), along with Edson (Ortiz) and Marcelo (Sepulveda Garza) continuing to compete very well together."

said. "All of our matches have given our guys the opportunity to face adversity and embrace it. The difference today was their ability to compete from beginning to the end. It started with tremendous purpose in doubles especially with Riccardo and Zhe (Zhou), along with Edson (Ortiz) and Marcelo (Sepulveda Garza) continuing to compete very well together." "Singles was filled with momentum swings and the guys executed under tough situations. Riccardo showed great pride in his total body of work and courage in closing out the match. We're on a good path and improving with our ability to compete from start to finish each weekend. This team is willing to go the distance and face any challenge that is in front of them."

Doubles

The Tide jumped out in front in doubles play, first with Roberto and senior Zhe Zhou taking care of Sraberg/Worst, 6-1. Alabama clinched the doubles point after senior Edson Ortiz and freshman Marcelo Sepulveda Garza cruised past Harwell/Sisam, 6-2, to give UA the 1-0 advantage.

Eddy & Marcelo clinched it on Court Two! ????



Singles coming up next!#RollTide #ThatsBama pic.twitter.com/ksZ5XWcCyN — Alabama Men's Tennis (@AlabamaMTN) March 8, 2020

Singles

Senior Alexey Nesterov quickly moved past Macsen Sisam, 6-4, 6-2, at the No. 5 spot, to double the Tide's lead. Later on, junior Patrick Kaukovalta battled to a 6-4, 7-6(4), win over Panu Virtanen when moments later, the Commodores picked up a win on court six to make it 3-1.

quickly moved past Macsen Sisam, 6-4, 6-2, at the No. 5 spot, to double the Tide's lead. Later on, junior battled to a 6-4, 7-6(4), win over Panu Virtanen when moments later, the Commodores picked up a win on court six to make it 3-1. No. 74 Ortiz dropped his match on court one 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, to George Harwell as the Tide still held the 3-2 edge. At the No. 3 spot, Roberto found himself down a set and facing three match points in the second set tiebreaker before climbing his way back to win the breaker, 11-9. In the third set, Roberto dominated Max Freeman, 6-1, to clinch the win.

Court two played out, with Zhou battling but falling to Billy Rowe, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-4 to make the final score 4-3 in favor of the Tide.

Ricky clinches the match!! ????????



We will play court two out.



?? 4 | ?? 2#RollTide #ThatsBama pic.twitter.com/iq7S3cJM9E — Alabama Men's Tennis (@AlabamaMTN) March 8, 2020

Up Next

The Tide will be back in action next Sunday, March 15 at 1 p.m. CT to take on Auburn at the Alabama Tennis Stadium.

Alabama Results

Singles

Order of Finish: 5, 4, 6, 1, 3, 2

Doubles

Rowe/Virtanen vs. Kaukovalta/Nesterov, 5-3, unf. Ortiz/Sepulveda Garza def. Harwell/Sisam, 6-2 Roberto/Zhou def. Sraberg/Worst, 6-1

Order of Finish: 3, 2

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