ORLANDO - Having conquered a busy opening schedule, the well-rested 22nd-ranked Knights hit the road again to face off against familiar foes in South Florida (3-1) on Monday. Victories in a pair of doubleheaders separated by a midweek bout, followed by a successful ITA Kickoff Weekend have led the UCF men’s tennis team to a second straight 7-0 start to the season.
The undefeated Knights will travel to Tampa with their sights set on achieving their best start in program history. An eighth consecutive win this season would also be their fourth straight victory against the Bulls, who haven’t managed to beat UCF in Tampa since 2016.
LAST TIME OUT
UCF opened its ITA Kickoff Weekend campaign with a 4-0 sweep against Oklahoma State in Tucson, Arizona last weekend. The Knights did not give up a single set to the Cowboys in singles play before fifth-year Liam Branger found the clincher for the Knights on court four, 6-3, 7-5. Head coach Lloyd Bruce-Burgess was sure to keep the Knights focused after such a dominant display, as the Black and Gold took on No. 6 Arizona just a day later.
UCF gained the early advantage against Arizona after doubles play, but the Wildcats responded with three points of their own in singles. Up against the ropes, juniors Mehdi Benchakroun and Santiago Giamichelle helped bring the Knights level against the home team. From there it was business as usual for Branger who brought the contest home once again for the Knights, punching their ticket to the program’s first-ever ITA Indoor Championships. The win also marked the highest-ranked victory in program history and the first over a top-10 opponent.
QUICK HITS
- Following the historic weekend, the Knights climbed into the latest ITA team rankings, debuting at No. 22. The position marks the squad's highest since Feb. 2022 and the second time under Bruce-Burgess and assistant Kareem Allaf that the Knights have been featured in the top-25.
- Team captain Mehdi Benchakroun got to extend his stay on the throne after being named Men’s Tennis Player of the Week by the Big 12 for the second consecutive edition. Undefeated in singles play, the Moroccan will look to extend his 6-0 record against the Bulls on Monday.
- Santiago Giamichelle remains undefeated this season, carrying a 5-0 record in singles play and a 4-0 record in doubles play. The Argentine has racked up four wins with Benchakroun and two more with junior Emilio Sanchez.
THE OPPONENT
The Bulls tallied three straight wins to their name to open the season before a 5-2 defeat in Miami on Friday. They have only dropped one set in doubles play across their first three matches, which came in their opening contest of the season against Wichita State.
USF will have former Knight Franciso Llanes on their side on Monday. The junior played in the Knight’s 4-0 win against the Bulls last season in Orlando.