After a long week of tournament play for UF’s men’s and women’s tennis teams, Florida fell short of claiming its respective singles titles.
The men’s team started off strong in tournament play at the ITA All-American Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Sept. 30.
But going into Florida’s final day of competition, only two Gators remain in contention of claiming the doubles title.
On Sunday, the duo of McClain Kessler and Duarte Vale competed against fellow Gator duo Alfredo Perez and Johannes Ingildsen in the qualifying doubles semifinals match.
Perez and Ingildsen were victorious against Kessler and Vale in straight sets (7-6, 7-6), advancing them to the finals match on Monday.
In consolation singles play, Ingildsen won in his match against Kyle Seelig of Ohio State, 6-3, 4-6, 6-0. It was Ingildsen’s second time facing Seelig in the tournament, as the Denmark native defeated the OSU redshirt freshman in the first round of the main draw as well.
On Saturday, junior Alfredo Perez, the lone Gator left in qualifying singles play, lost his match to Martin Redlicki of UCLA in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.
In consolation singles play, Ingildsen was victorious in both of his matches against Spencer Papa of Oklahoma (3-6, 6-1, 6-3) and Robert Kelly of North Carolina (7-5, 6-1).
“Johannes was definitely the player of the day,” coach Bryan Shelton said in a release. “He had two tremendous wins in singles and is really starting to grasp his identity as a player. Really proud of his toughness and his relentlessly positive attitude.”
The women’s team has also faced some tough competition at the ITA Riviera All-American Championships tournament in Pacific Palisades, California.
A trio of Gators seniors were bested in singles and doubles competition, which ultimately ended their tournament play on Friday.
In qualifying singles, No. 12 Josie Kuhlman was the only Gator to remain in contention of a singles title. Kuhlman dropped her match to No. 14 Gabby Smith of Southern California in a tough three-set match, 6-3, 5-7, 6-0.
In consolation singles play, No. 15 Anna Danilina dropped her match against Anastasia Rychagova of Kansas in the quarterfinals round, 6-7(6), 7-5, 6-3.
Brooke Austin also lost her last match against No. 19 Lily Miyazaki of Oklahoma, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
The next tournament for the women’s team will be on the road again in Athens, Georgia, as it competes in the ITA Southeast Region Championships.
You can follow Mari Faiello on Twitter @faiello_mari, and contact her at mfaiello@alligator.org.
Junior McClain Kessler clinched the Round of 16 match for Florida over Ole Miss on Friday night, sending the Gators to the NCAA Quarterfinals.
