AUSTIN, Texas – No. 12 Women's tennis fell in a road match against sixth-ranked Texas on Sunday by a 4-1 final score. The Tigers started strong by claiming the doubles point, but was not able to win any singles matches at the Texas Tennis Center.
Auburn had a new look to its doubles lineup to begin the match, which proved to be effective against the Longhorns. On court one, Ariana Arseneault and DJ Bennett played together for the first time this season and dominated No. 37 Sabina Zeynalova and Taisiya Pachkaleva 6-1.
Carolyn Ansari and Selin Ovunc moved up to court two from their usual spot on court three in the doubles lineup on Saturday. The Auburn duo jumped out to a 4-3 lead and later claimed the match over Malaika Rapolu and Tanya Sasnoukaya by a 6-4 score. Ansari and Ovunc's win claimed Auburn's fifth doubles point this season.
In singles, Arseneault came roaring back from a 4-1 deficit in the opening set to force a tiebreaker against 29th ranked Sasnouskaya. Arseneault then won the close tiebreaker 8-6 to claim the comeback set win. Bennett also came back from trailing 3-1 during her first set against No. 36 Rapolu to win the set in a tiebreaker. The Longhorns controlled most of the matches' opening sets, claiming them on the other four courts.
Texas earned a straight-set victory on court five to tie the match at one, then Auburn freshman Ava Esposito Cogan earned a second set victory to force a decisive third set on court six.
Texas' Charlotte Chavatipon then picked up a win on court six, while Sabina Zeynalova won her match against Ansari on court one to give the Longhorns a 3-1 advantage. Auburn stayed in the fight on all three remaining courts, including Bennett who held a 5-3 advantage in her second set at one point on court three.
Ultimately, Vivian Ovrootsky won the decisive third set over Esposito Cogan to claim the match on court six and clinch the team victory for the Longhorns.
The win marked Texas' fourth win this season over a top-15 opponent and improved its record to 7-2. The loss dropped Auburn's record to 5-4.
Up next, the Tigers will stay on the road for a neutral site match against Pepperdine in Orlando on Friday, Feb. 23. That match is scheduled to begin at noon CT.
#6 Texas 4, #12 Auburn 1
Singles Results:
1. Sabina Zeynalova (TEXAS) def. #13 Carolyn Ansari (AUB) 6-3, 6-3
2. #29 Tanya Sasnouskaya (TEXAS) vs. #61 Ariana Arseneault (AUB) 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, unfinished
3. #36 Malaika Rapolu (TEXAS) vs. #43 DJ Bennett (AUB) 6-7 (5-7), 5-5, unfinished
4. #120 Charlotte Chavatipon (TEXAS) def. #104 Selin Ovunc (AUB) 6-3, 6-3
5. Taisiya Pachkaleva (TEXAS) def. Adeline Flach (AUB) 6-1, 6-0
6. Vivian Ovrootsky (TEXAS) def. Ava Esposito Cogan (AUB) 6-3, 5-7, 6-1
Doubles Results:
1. Ariana Arseneault/DJ Bennett (AUB) def. #37 Sabina Zeynalova/Taisiya Pachkaleva (TEXAS) 6-1
2. Selin Ovunc/Carolyn Ansari (AUB) def. Malaika Rapolu/Tanya Sasnouskaya (TEXAS) 6-4
3. Charlotte Chavatipon/Vivian Ovrootsky (TEXAS) vs. Ava Esposito Cogan/Adeline Flach (AUB) 4-5, unfinished
Order of finish: Doubles: 1,2; Singles: 5,4,1,6
