The Ole Miss men’s tennis team, ranked No. 32 nationally, lost a close match to No. 18 Oklahoma on Monday at the Headington Family Center in Norman, Oklahoma. The final score was 4-3 in favor of the Sooners.
The deciding point came down to a singles match between Vlado Jankanj of Ole Miss and Orel Kimhi of Oklahoma. Jankanj entered the contest undefeated in dual singles matches this season, but Kimhi secured the win for Oklahoma with a 7-5 first set and a 6-4 second set.
Ole Miss started behind after losing the doubles point, which gave Oklahoma an early lead heading into singles play. The Sooners then extended their advantage by winning the first singles court.
Pietro Pampanin earned Ole Miss its first point by defeating Johan Rodriguez 6-4, 6-3. Stefano D’Agostino tied the match at two points each after beating No. 79 Oscar Lacides 6-3, 7-5.
Oklahoma regained the lead with another singles victory before Noah Schlagenhauf won his match for Ole Miss in straight sets (7-6 [7-2], 6-5), leveling the score at three apiece. However, Kimhi’s win over Jankanj clinched the overall victory for Oklahoma.
The Rebels now hold a record of 12 wins and two losses overall, with an SEC record of 0-2. They will return home to Oxford, Mississippi, to host Arkansas on Friday, February 27 at Palmer Salloum Tennis Center.
In doubles play, Luis Alvarez and Bruno Nhavene (Oklahoma) defeated Isac Stromberg and Kai Milburn (Ole Miss) 6-4; Hank Trondson and Alejandro Melero (Oklahoma) beat Stefano D’Agostino and Pietro Pampanin (Ole Miss) also by a score of 6-4; while Matthieu Chambonniere and Benjamin Martin (Ole Miss) won against Asahi Harazaki and Oscar Lacides (Oklahoma) 6-3.
Singles results included: Stefano D’Agostino (Ole Miss) over Oscar Lacides (Oklahoma) 6-3, 7-5; Luis Alvarez (Oklahoma) over Matthieu Chambonniere (Ole Miss) 6-1, 6-2; Pietro Pampanin (Ole Miss) over Johan Rodriguez (Oklahoma) 6-4, 6 -3; Orel Kimhi (Oklahoma) over Vlado Jankanj (Ole Miss) 7-5, 6-4; Asahi Harazaki (Oklahoma) over Isac Stromberg (Ole Miss) 6-3, 7-5; Noah Schlagenhauf (Ole Miss) over Alejandro Melero (Oklahoma) 7-6 [7–2], 6–5.
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