AUBURN, Ala. (EETV)–The Auburn men’s tennis team kicked off its 2024 campaign this past weekend, traveling with six roster members to Tuscaloosa, Ala. to participate in the SEC Challenge.
The weekend’s action began Friday with the duo of Billy Blaydes and Nicholas Heng taking on SEC newcomers Asahi Harazaki and Hank Trondon from the University of Oklahoma. Blaydes and Heng defeated Trondon and Harazaki 8-4.
The other doubles team, freshman Joey Phillips and junior transfer Thomas Kennedy bounced back after dropping a match to claim a win over the University of Florida. Phillips faced Mattia Akcan and won 6-0, 6-2 for his first collegiate victory, while Kennedy defeated Francesco Cordova 6-1, 6-3 for his first win as an Auburn Tiger.
Kennedy secured another singles victory on Saturday over Ole Miss’ Matthieu Chambonniere. Senior Will Nolan earned his second singles win of the tournament with a 1-6, 6-0, 6-3 comeback victory over Alabama’s Carlos Gimenez Perez.
Although Heng and Blaydes suffered a loss later in the day, they rebounded on Sunday with a doubles win over Vanderbilt’s Hugo Coquelin and Henry Ruger, 8-6. Heng then defeated Coquelin in straight sets to claim third place in the draw.
Phillips and Kennedy enjoyed similar success, winning against Vanderbilt’s Tighe Brunetti and Giuseppe Cerasuolo, 8-6. Phillips went on to beat Brunetti 7-6 (0), 6-0 in a singles match, pushing the Tiger duo to a matchup win to close out the weekend.
The Tigers left Tuscaloosa claiming third place overall with strong individual performances.
Today freshman Alex Frusina will compete in a professional event at the Fayetteville ITF 15k in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Auburn will then send players to participate in the ITA All-American Championships from Sept. 20-29 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Friday Results:
Billy Blaydes/Nicholas Heng (AUB) def. Asahi Harazaki/Hank Trondson (OU) 8-4
Nathan Cox/Michael Ross (VANDY) def. Jake Kennedy/Will Nolan (AUB) 8-4
Mattia Akcan/Francesco Cordova (UF) def. Thomas Kennedy/Joey Phillips (AUB) 8-6
Billy Blaydes (AUB) def. Hank Trondson (OU) 6-3,7-6 (5)
Nicholas Heng (AUB) def. Asahi Harazaki (OU) 7-5, 6-4
Will Nolan (AUB) def. Nathan Cox (VANDY) 0-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4
Michael Ross (VANDY) def. Jake Kennedy (AUB) 6-2, 7-5
Joseph Phillips (AUB) def. Mattia Akcan (UF) 6-0, 6-2
Thomas Kennedy (AUB) def. Francesco Cordova (UF) 6-1, 6-3
Saturday Results:
Kevin Edengren/Magnus Johnson (UF) def. Billy Blaydes/Nicholas Heng (AUB)W 8-3
Carlos Gimenez Perez/Damien Nezar (BAMA) def. Jake Kennedy/Will Nolan (AUB) 8-5
Matthieu Chambonniere/Benjamin Martin (MISS) def. Thomas Kennedy/Joey Phillips (AUB) 8-5
Magnus Johnson (UF) def. Billy Blaydes (AUB) 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-0
Kevin Edengren (UF) def. Nicholas Heng (AUB) 6-3, 6-4
Will Nolan (AUB) def. Carlos Gimenez Perez (BAMA) 1-6, 6-0, 6-3
Damien Nezar (BAMA) def. Jake Kennedy (AUB) 6-4, 6-0
Benjamin Martin (MISS) def. Joey Phillips (AUB) 6-4, 4-6, 6-1
Thomas Kennedy (AUB) def. Matthieu Chambonniere (MISS) 6-2, 7-6 (1)
Sunday Results:
Billy Blaydes/Nicholas Heng (AUB) def. Hugo Coquelin/Henry Ruger (VANDY) 8-6
Roberto Ferrer/Marshall Landry (Mississippi State) def. Jake Kennedy/Will Nolan (AUB) 8-5
Thomas Kennedy/Joey Phillips (AUB) def. Tighe Brunetti/Giuseppe Cerasuolo (VANDY) 8-6
Henry Ruger (VANDY) def. Billy Blaydes (AUB) 7-6 (6), 6-1
Nicholas Heng (AUB) def. Hugo Coquelin (VANDY) 6-4, 6-1
Robert Ferrer (MSST) vs. Will Nolen (AUB) walkover
Marshall Landry (MSST) def. Jake Kennedy (AUB) 4-6, 6-3 [10-8]
Joey Phillips (AUB) def. Tighe Brunetti (VANDY) 7-6 (0), 6-0
Giuseppe Cerasuolo (VANDY) def. Thomas Kennedy (AUB) 7-6 (3), 2-6, 10-5
