The Gators staged near-comebacks on four singles courts, but were held to just one point in the dual match.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida Gators Men’s Tennis fell to the No. 6 Tennessee Volunteers, 4-1, in the 2024 SEC Tournament Quarterfinal round. The No. 25 Gators finish their SEC season with a 13-11 overall record, and will find out their postseason fate on April 29, during the 2024 NCAA Men’s Tennis Tournament selection show.
How it Happened
The Gators dropped the doubles point to open the day’s action. Florida’s No. 23 Nate Bonetto/Aidan Kim were overpowered by No. 4 Johannus Monday/Angel Diaz of Tennessee, and quickly fell on court one, 6-1. The Vols’ Filip Apltauer/James Newton duo also dominated on court three defeating the Gators’ Kevin Edengren/Jeremy Jin tandem, 6-2.
The Gators went on to lose five of six first sets in singles play. Tanapatt Nirundorn delivered the winning set for Florida on court five, 6-4. Nirundorn remained in control during the second set, claiming an early lead and holding it to the tune of a 7-5 score and securing the first point for the Gators.
Nate Bonetto dropped his first set 6-4, but evened court three with a 6-2 showing of his own to force a third set. Bonetto commanded a 3-1 lead early in the third before the match was left unfinished following the Volunteers’ fourth point.
No. 52 Jeremy Jin battled valiantly on curt one, facing the ITA’s No. 2 ranked player in the nation, Tennessee senior Johannus Monday. Monday, the 2023 SEC Player of the Year, opened play with a strong 6-2 win of the first set. Set two was a battle, with Jin jumping out to an early 2-0 lead, Monday reclaiming the advantage, and Jin evening the score at 5-5 facing match point. Eventually, Jin fell 7-5 in the second set, sealing the match for Tennessee.
Next up
The Gators now wait to find out their postseason fate, with the 2024 NCAA Men’s Tennis Tournament Selection Show set to take place on April 29. Seeding, location, and all information regarding the tournament will be released on that date.
Results
Singles competition
1. #2 Johannus Monday (TENN) def. #52 Jeremy Jin (UF) 6-2, 7-5
2. #33 Shunsuke Mitsui (TENN) def. Aidan Kim (UF) 6-0, 7-5
3. Chris Li (TENN) vs. Nate Bonetto (UF) 6-2, 2-6, 1-3, unfinished
4. Filip Pieczonka (TENN) def. Adhithya Ganesan (UF) 6-2, 6-3
5. Tanapatt Nirundorn (UF) def. Angel Diaz (TENN) 6-4, 7-5
6. Filip Apltauer (TENN) vs. Kevin Edengren (UF) 6-4, 3-4, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. #4 Johannus Monday/Angel Diaz (TENN) def. #23 Aidan Kim/Nate Bonetto (UF) 6-1
2. Filip Pieczonka/Shunsuke Mitsui (TENN) vs. Tanapatt Nirundorn/Adhithya Ganesan (UF) 4-4, unfinished
3. James Newton/Filip Apltauer (TENN) def. Kevin Edengren/Jeremy Jin (UF) 6-2
Match Notes:
Florida 13-11; National ranking #25
Tennessee 22-5; National ranking #6
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (4,2,5,1)
***
Follow the Gators:
X: @GatorsMTN
Instagram: @GatorsMTN
Facebook: @GatorsTN
