AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn freshman Billy Blaydes has been named SEC Freshman of the Week, the league announced on Wednesday. Blaydes becomes the first Tiger to earn the honor this season.
The Windermere, England native earned the honor after posting two singles wins for the Tigers over the weekend. Auburn's win over fourth-ranked South Carolina on Friday was decided on court six, where Blaydes and Lucas da Silva had traded set wins to set up a winner-take-all third set for the team victory. Blaydes dominated the final set 6-1 to capture his fourth consecutive singles victory and the dramatic team win for the Tigers.
The freshman also defeated Florida's Togan Tokac in two sets on Sunday by a 6-2, 6-4 score. With the two victories, he has now won four consecutive matches and eight of his last ten. Blaydes currently holds a 12-3 dual singles record, and is a perfect 7-0 in singles matches against SEC opponents.
Blaydes will aim to continue his impressive play on Sunday, when the Tigers host a doubleheader at Yarbrough Tennis Center. Auburn will face Vanderbilt at noon CT as well as Alabama A&M at 5 p.m. CT.