For the third straight match, the outcome for the Gators men’s tennis team came down to the final singles pairing.
The first such occurrence went to Baylor. Florida then upset Texas A&M on Sunday.
But South Carolina had the upper hand on Friday.
The Gamecocks (11-5, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) toppled the Gators (7-5, 1-1 SEC) 4-3, halting the Florida's 15-match winning streak between the two teams, a span that dated back to 2001.
Florida’s hopes of continuing that streak came down to Florent Diep. He made easy work of Andrew Adams in the first set, winning 6-1. But Adams fought back to win the second set 7-5.
After Diep saw Sunday’s hero, Mike Alford, lose in three sets, the Gators’ final chance was in his hands.
In the deciding set, Adams was just too much for Diep, however, as he won 6-3.
In the past two three-set matches for Diep, he has been the one to falter.
With one streak ending, UF’s five consecutive matches of losing the doubles point finished.
Coach Bryan Shelton has stressed the importance of the serve and return in doubles, and that clicked for the Gators’ pairings on Friday. Stephane Piro and Bob van Overbeek defeated No. 33 pair Chip Cox and Tsvetan Mihov 8-4, while Billy Federhofer and Gordon Watson beat Kyle Koch and Harry Menzies 8-4 as well.
Van Overbeek and Watson did not carry their momentum from doubles into singles play, however.
Coming back from a wrist injury on Sunday, Watson won his match in straight sets. Friday was the total opposite. Watson lost to Kyle Koch 4-6, 3-6.
Van Overbeek's struggles continued. He hasn’t won since Feb. 3, losing seven straight matches after his straight set loss to Mihov.
At the No. 1 singles position this season, he is 1-7.
The opposition will not get any easier for van Overbeek and the Gators. Both of their next two opponents are ranked in the top-10.
Florida will need to rely on the senior to bounce back from his recent struggles when they travel to No. 7 Georgia next on March 15.
Junior Florent Diep strikes the ball during Florida’s 5-2 victory against Miami on Jan. 19 at Linder Stadium.
