Men's Tennis Defeats Wichita State in Well-Rounded Display, 6-1Men's Tennis Defeats Wichita State in Well-Rounded Display, 6-1

Men's Tennis Defeats Wichita State in Well-Rounded Display, 6-1

by Alex Clough
Box Score (PDF)

ORLANDO - The UCF men’s tennis team handled business Wednesday night, defeating Wichita State 6-1 at the USTA National Campus. 

A balanced mix of straight-set sweeps and three-set duels improved the Knights to 3-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1977-78. Across three contests, UCF has tallied 15 wins in 18 singles matches, building upon its prowess a season ago.

Doubles play was better, we improved those partnerships which looked pretty good, but time will tell. A lot of the guys who have returned from last year have shown real improvements and we still have a lot to lear.

Head coach Lloyd Bruce-Burgess

The Knights bounced back in doubles after a disappointing result in the nightcap of their season-opening doubleheader, taking two of three courts against the Shockers to get out on the front foot. Santiago Giamichelle, who claimed a pair of victories on court three last Saturday, was vital in another strong triumph to anchor UCF, this time with Mehdi Benchakroun, 6-1.

While Paul Colin and Walid Ahouda fell on court one, Emilio Sanchez and Yassine Dlimi withheld a late charge by the Shocker to clinch the doubles point, 6-4. 

With an early advantage, the Knights never let the momentum waiver in singles, with a dominating display throughout. Freshman Nicolas Oliveira entered the bout on court six with his first collegiate win under his belt, providing the Brazilian native with plenty of confidence, an evident theme as he dismantled Amir Milushev, 6-2, 6-1.

His fellow South American wasn’t far behind as Giamichelle has yet to drop a set in 2025, besting Zaid Al Mashni, 6-3, 6-1. Paul Colin, who made his season debut in the contest, battled to the wire before falling to Vanja Hodzic, 6-4, 6-2.

UCF quickly bounced back, clinching the match on court three via Benchakroun’s triumph on court three against Alejandro Jacome, 6-2, 6-3. Both he and Giamaichelle have both started the season 3-0 for the second consecutive season.

The lone super-tiebreak saw Dlimi weather Kristof Minarik’s second-set win with a composed performance in the third, taking the match 6-4, 4-6, 1-0(10-8). Ahouda played out his third set after battling back with a dominant set two, eventually defeating Luke Bracks, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, to remain unbeaten in his young collegiate career.

Singles Results

1. Yassine Dlimi (UCF) def. Kristof Minarik (WSU) 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (10-8) 

2. Vanja Hodzic (WSU) def. Paul Colin (UCF) 6-4, 6-2 

3. Mehdi Benchakroun (UCF) def. Alejandro Jacome (WSU) 6-2, 6-3 

4. Walid Ahouda (UCF) def. Luke Bracks (WSU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 

5. Santiago Giamichelle (UCF) def. Zaid Al Mashni (WSU) 6-3, 6-1 

6. Nicolas Oliveira (UCF) def. Amir Milushev (WSU) 6-2, 6-1

Doubles Results

1. Alejandro Jacome/Kristof Minarik (WSU) def. Paul Colin/Walid Ahouda (UCF) 6-3 

2. Emilio Sanchez/Yassine Dlimi (UCF) def. Vanja Hodzic/Luke Bracks (WSU) 6-4 

3. Mehdi Benchakroun/Santiago Giamichelle (UCF) def. Arenui Luethi/Amir Milushev (WSU) 6-1

Up Next

The Knights will be back at USTA National Campus for the second of five doubleheaders on Friday, matching up with FGCU at 10 a.m. before facing Southern Miss at 5 p.m.