Mississippi State (5-0) vs SMU (5-2)
Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex – Gainesville, Florida
10 a.m. | Friday, Jan. 27
Season Stats
Box Score
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (SMU)- SMU and Mississippi State went back and forth throughout Friday's match as the Mustangs suffered a 4-3 loss in the first round of the ITA Kickoff Weekend. SMU picked up the doubles point for the fourth time this season, before Mississippi State won three singles matches. MSU's Ewen Lumsden eventually outlasted SMU's Liam Krall 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 on Court 4 to clinch the win.
 
The Mustangs will take on South Florida in the consolation match at 9 a.m. at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex.
 
"We competed well. Which is a necessity at this national event," said head coach Grant Chen. "We didn't play our best tennis at a few spots but we competed well. Total roller coaster ride today. A lot of credit to Adam and Louis for getting singles wins today. We came here for two matches and we have another opportunity tomorrow."
 
Although the Mustangs lost the first match of the day as Antonio Muniz-Hidalgo and Liam Krall fell to Petar Jovanovic and Gregor Ramskolger 6-1 on Court 3, SMU managed to secure the doubles point. Adam Neff and Pranav Kumar picked up their first ranked win of the season against No. 42 Carles Hernandez and Nemanja Malesevic 6-2 on Court 1. Jack Winkler and Julian Steinhausen did not let up as they took down Ewen Lumsden and Michal Novansky 7-5 on Court 2.
 
Benito Sanchez Martinez evened up the score for the Bulldogs as he defeated Julian Steinhausen 6-4, 6-0 on Court 5. Louis Cloud put the Mustangs back in front after his straight set victory over Gregor Ramskogler 7-5, 6-3 on Court 6.
 
Pranav Kumar had another tough third set loss as No. 107 ranked Petar Jovanovic defeated him 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 on Court 2. The Bulldogs had their first lead of the day as Carles Hernandez defeated Antonio Muniz-Hidalgo 7-6(4), 6-4 on Court 3. Adam Neff brought life back to the Mustangs in his third set thriller victory over Nemanja Malesevic 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 on Court 1.
 
After losing the first set, 4-6, Liam Krall came back in the second 7-5, forcing a deciding third set to determine the Mustangs fate. Ewen Lumsden eventually took the set, 6-2, to clinch the victory.
Mississippi State is playing No. 16 Florida in the Championship match 12 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

Scouting The Opponent
South Florida (3-4) is coming off a 4-1 loss to No. 16 Florida in the first round of the ITA Kickoff Weekend. The last match between the Mustangs and the Bulls came in the AAC semi-finals where SMU won 4-2.

Series History: South Florida
All time: South Florida, 8-4
Home Records: 2-3
Away Records: 1-2
Neutral Records: 0-0
First Meeting: 4-3, South Florida Apr. 7, 2023 in South Bend, Ind.
Last Meeting: 4-2, SMU Apr. 23, 2022 in Tulsa, Okla.
Current Winning Streak: W2 SMU
 
 
Mississippi State 4, SMU 3
Jan 26, 2023 at

Singles Competition 1. Adam Neff (SMU) def. Nemanja Malesevic (MISSU) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4

2. #107 Peter Jovanovic (MISSU) def. Pranav Kumar (SMU) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3

3. Carlos Hernandez (MISSU) def. Antonio Muniz Hidalg (SMU) 7-6 (7-4), 6-4

4. Ewen Lumsden (MISSU) def. Liam Krall (SMU) 6-4, 5-7, 6-2

5. Benito Martinez (MISSU) def. Julian Steinhausen (SMU) 6-4, 6-0

6. Louis Cloud (SMU) def. Gregor Ramskogler (MISSU) 7-5, 6-3

 

Doubles Competition 1. Adam Neff/Pranav Kumar (SMU) def. #42 Nemanja Malesevic/Carlos Hernandez (MISSU) 6-2

2. Jack Winkler/Julian Steinhausen (SMU) def. Ewen Lumsden/Michal Novansky (MISSU) 7-5

3. Gregor Ramskogler/Peter Jovanovic (MISSU) def. Liam Krall/Antonio Muniz Hidalg (SMU) 6-1

 

Match Notes Mississippi State 5-0

SMU 5-2

Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (5,6,2,3,1,4)