Both Gators tennis teams remained undefeated in Southeastern Conference play with wins over Auburn on Friday.
In its first road match of the season, the No. 5 women’s team (12-2, 3-0 SEC) defeated Auburn (6-5, 0-3 SEC) 6-1.
The No. 7 men’s squad (11-2, 3-0 SEC) defeated Auburn 5-2 (3-7, 0-3 SEC) in its SEC home opener.
Part of the Gators’ early success has been because of the 23-2 record posted in singles matches from courts No. 5 and No. 6.
Friday was more of the same.
Freshman Sekou Bangoura Jr. and sophomore Nassim Slilam were the first two players to finish in singles play, and put the Gators one win away from clinching the victory.
The 6-3, 6-3 win was Slilam’s 10th straight.
“In my opinion, Nassim is an extremely high-level player,” Jackson said. “We’ve taken it slow with him. That he’s had a lot of success doesn’t surprise me, but it’s going to be difficult to keep that going because we’ll continue to play some very good teams.”
The women’s team win at Auburn was its first in a true road environment.
The 6-1 win began with three wins in doubles play by margins of five games or more.
The five singles victories all came in straight sets.
No. 15 freshman Lauren Embree won another match against a ranked opponent defeating No. 76 Fani Chifchieva 6-4, 6-2 on court No. 1.
Both the men’s and women’s teams face Alabama on Sunday. The men’s team hosts the Crimson Tide at 1 p.m. The women’s match in Tuscaloosa, Ala. begins at 2 p.m.
