The Bruce-Burgess era is off to a flying start as the English native stands alone as the only head coach in program history to begin his tenure 7-0. A high-energy and physical style of play that he instilled in the fall is paying dividends, as the squad is firing on all cylinders.
Arguably the Knights' toughest test of the season thus far, Miami was able to grab the early advantage in doubles. The Hurricanes tandem of Nacho Serra Sanchez and Sam Baumgartner bested Liam Branger and Lleyton Cronje on court two, 6-4, giving UCF a tough task in singles to bounce back.
In line with the squad’s vibrant start, the Knights rose to the occasion with a dominating and composed display throughout, leveling the match at two-all before the eventual three-set thriller.
No. 100 Lleyton Cronje suffered his first defeat of the season on court two following a 6-4, 6-4, result against Miami’s Martin Katz. The 2-0 deficit was swiftly erased though as minutes later, Yassine Dlimi and Santiago Gimaichelle leveled the contest.
Dlimi has found form on court one, taking his third consecutive match in straight sets, battling back in the first and carrying the momentum into the second to win, 7-5, 6-2. Giamichelle continues to be a reliable force for the Knights on the back three, as he remained undefeated with a brilliant 6-3, 6-3, performance against Miami’s Adrien Burdet.
On court six, Paul Colin slotted back in and shined once again. The St. Barths native dominated the first-set tiebreak, 7-2, before a strong 6-3 showing in the second. The Knights' lead was short-lived lived though, as No. 120 Mehdi Benchakroun was defeated for the first time this season on court five, dropping his contest versus Nacho Serra Sanchez, 6-4, 6-4.
