Next Match: at Tulsa 2/4/2018 | 12 p.m. CT

TULSA, Okla. – In its first road match of the season, the Alabama men's tennis team continued its stellar start to the 2018 campaign with a 4-0 shutout win against Tulsa on Sunday afternoon inside the Michael D. Case Tennis Center.

The Crimson Tide (9-0) is just two victories shy of tying the best start in program history, when the Tide began the 2003 season at 11-0.

"Fantastic job by the guys from start to finish," said head coach George Husack . "They continue to make big strides with their on-court maturity, belief in one another and their grit. They were calm even when down in doubles and then raised their level and built momentum in singles. I'm really impressed with their resiliency and determination."

"Tulsa is not an easy place to play. They've had a long history of success as evidenced by the many trophies and banners on display. Coach Westbrook has over 400 wins and their team is young and talented. You have to respect that and then lace up your gloves and get ready to battle."

Alabama got the day started by winning the doubles point when the sophomore duo of Thibault Cancel and Alexey Nesterov defeated Baptista/Kilani, 6-3, after freshman Riccardo Roberto and sophomore Zhe Zhou dropped to Corker/Pritchard, 6-4, it was up to and junior Mazen Osama and sophomore Edson Ortiz to win the point for the Tide. The two battled to a 7-5 victory over Goodger/Hing to put UA up 1-0.

In singles action, the Tide dominated with two straight-set victories from freshman Patrick Kaukovalta who defeated Jarod Hing, 6-4, 6-1, and Ortiz who bested Lucca Baptista 6-2, 6-0 to extend the UA lead to 3-0. Osama clinched the match for Alabama by cruising past No. 82 Josh Goodger, 6-3, 6-3.

Alabama men's tennis returns back home for three matches next weekend inside the Roberta Alison Baumgardner Indoor Tennis Facility. The Tide will take on Pepperdine on Friday, Feb. 9, before playing in a doubleheader on Sunday, Feb. 11 against San Diego State (1 p.m.) and Lipscomb (6 p.m.).

Alabama Results:

Singles:

Mazen Osama def. No. 82 Josh Goodger, 6-3, 6-3

Thibault Cancel vs. No. 56 Majed Kilani, 6-1, 5-2, unf.

Patrick Kaukovalta def. Jarod Hing, 6-4, 6-1

Edson Ortiz def. Lucca Baptista, 6-2, 6-0

Riccardo Roberto vs. Louis Corker, 7-6 (7-0), 1-0, unf.

Mitchell Pritchard vs. Alexey Nesterov , 7-6 (7-0), 0-0, unf.

Order of Finish: 3, 4, 1

Doubles:

Ortiz/Osama def. Goodger/Hing, 7-5

Cancel/Nesterov def. Baptista/Kilani, 6-3

Corker/Pritchard def. Roberto/Zhou, 6-4

Order of Finish: 2, 3, 1

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