April 16, 2011
AUBURN - The No. 18 Auburn men's tennis team defeated No. 51 Alabama, 4-0, at the Yarbrough Tennis Center on Saturday evening. With the win, the Tigers move to 14-8 (6-5 SEC) while the Crimson Tide drop to 9-11 (2-9 SEC).
"We got off to a great start in doubles," head coach Eric Shore said. "Anytime you have a Senior Day ceremony, you lose a little bit of momentum, but we did a great job fighting back."
In doubles, No. 71 Alex Stamchev and Andreas Mies won the first match over Alabama's Vikram Reddy and Michael Thompson, 8-3. On court one, Auburn's No. 24 Tim Puetz and Daniel Cochrane won the doubles point for the Tigers by defeating Ricky Doverspike and Jarryd Botha, 8-3. Auburn's Lucas Lopasso and Rafael Rondino were ahead 7-3 before doubles play was suspended.
During intermission, Auburn recognized its two seniors, Tim Hewitt and Tim Puetz, for their accomplishments as Tigers.
"They have meant a great deal to the program," Shore said of the departing Tigers. "I think Hewitt can still have the season that he wants to have, and Puetz will go down as one of the best ever."
In singles, Auburn's Alex Stamchev topped Alabama's Jarryd Botha in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. The Tigers' Andreas Mies cruised past the Crimson Tide's Ian Chadwell 6-3, 6-1.
Auburn's Tim Hewitt would clinch the fourth point for the Tigers by defeating Alabama's Daniil Proskura 7-6 (6), 6-3, before the match was suspended.
With the win, the Tigers secured the No. 6 seed in the SEC Tournament which will be held in Gainesville, Fla. The Tigers will square off against No. 11 seed South Carolina Thursday, April 21 at 8 a.m. CT. The winner of the match will face No. 3 seed Kentucky at 8 a.m. CT, Friday, April 22. Live stats of the match can be found at AuburnTigers.com
Against Alabama
Singles competition
1. #17 Tim Puetz (AU) vs. Ricky Doverspike (BAMA) 7-5, 5-4, unfinished
2. Alex Stamchev (AU) def. Jarryd Botha (BAMA) 6-4, 6-4
3. Tim Hewitt (AU) def. Daniil Proskura (BAMA) 7-6 (8-6), 6-3
4. Daniel Cochrane (AU) vs. Vikram Reddy (BAMA) 6-4, 4-6, unfinished
5. Andreas Mies (AU) def. Ian Chadwell (BAMA) 6-3, 6-1
6. Rafael Rondino (AU) vs. Michael Thompson (BAMA) 7-6 (7-3), 4-2, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. #24 Tim Puetz/Daniel Cochrane (AU) def. Ricky Doverspike/Jarryd Botha (BAMA) 8-3
2. #71 Alex Stamchev/Andreas Mies (AU) def. Vikram Reddy/Michael Thompson (BAMA) 8-3
3. Lucas Lopasso/Rafael Rondino (AU) vs. Daniil Proskura/Trey Walston (BAMA) 7-5, unfinished
Match Notes:
University of Alabama 9-11 (2-9 SEC); National ranking #51
Auburn University 14-8 (6-5 SEC); National ranking #18
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (2,5,3)
A-262