Men's Tennis Falls to No. 22 Oklahoma in Big 12 BoutMen's Tennis Falls to No. 22 Oklahoma in Big 12 Bout

Men's Tennis Falls to No. 22 Oklahoma in Big 12 Bout

by Alex Clough

ORLANDO, Fla. – The UCF men’s tennis team fell to No. 22 Oklahoma, 4-0, Saturday night at the USTA National Campus. After trading blows in doubles, the Sooners (16-2) controlled each court in singles en route to its ninth-straight win. The Knights split the first half of their four-match homestand and moved to 2-2 in Big 12 play.

The one regularity through four matches of Big 12 tennis resides in the doubles point. It was yet another competitive affair throughout all three courts, with the Knights eventually falling on courts one and three as the Sooners jumped out to an early advantage.

Lleyton Cronje and Liam Branger took a decisive triumph on court two over Mark Mandlik and Jordan Hasson, 6-3. The tandem secured their eighth win of the season and continues to serve as a marquee pairing in the middle of the UCF lineup.

In singles, Oklahoma would carry its momentum from a back-and-fourth opening hour, taking the first sets on courts one through five. Mehdi Benchakroun would take the lead following a dramatic tiebreak against Mark Mandlik (10-8).

The Sooners doubled their advantage via a 6-2, 6-0, victory from Luis Alvarez over Branger on court four. After battling against the 20th-ranked player in the nation, Alex Martinez would eventually prevail over Yassine Dlimi on a contested court one duel, 6-3, 6-4.

Oklahoma would clinch the match courtesy of No. 107 Kholo Montsi’s 6-2, 6-4, victory over Lleyton Cronje on court two.

UCF will be back in action next week, with matchups against Texas Tech on April 4 at 6 p.m. and BYU on April 6 at the same time.

Singles Results

  1. No. 20 Alex Martinez (OU) def. Yassine Dlimi (UCF) 6-3, 6-4
  2. No. 107 Kholo Montsi (OU) def. Lleyton Cronje (UCF) 6-2, 6-4
  3. Jordan Hasson (OU) vs. Francisco Llanes (UCF) 6-3, 4-4, unfinished
  4. Luis Alvarez (OU) def. Liam Branger (UCF) 6-2, 6-0
  5. Justin Schlageter (OU) vs. Santiago Giamichelle (UCF) 7-6(6), 4-0, unfinished
  6. Mehdi Benchakroun (UCF) vs. Mark Mandlik (OU) 7-6(8), 4-1

Doubles Results 

  1. Baptiste Anselmo/Alex Martinez (OU) def. Yassine Dlimi/Paul Colin (UCF) 7-5
  2. Liam Branger/Lleyton Cronje (UCF) def. Mark Mandlik/Jordan Hasson (OU) 6-3
  3. Asahi Harazaki/Hank Trondson (OU) def. Santiago Giamichelle/Francisco Llanes (UCF) 6-2

Order of Finish

  • Singles: 4,1,2
  • Doubles: 3,2,1