Tennessee Men’s Tennis Drops SEC Opener to Kentucky, 5-2

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Tennessee men’s tennis team began Southeastern Conference play with a 5-2 loss to the University of Kentucky on Saturday afternoon. The Volunteers struggled to gain momentum early in the match, ultimately falling short against the Wildcats.

Doubles Struggles Set the Tone

Kentucky secured the doubles point, winning on courts two and three. Martin Breysach and Charlelie Cosnet defeated Jose Garcia and Alejandro Moreno, 6-1, according to reports from the match. Despite a fight from Shion Itsusaki and Ethan Muza, who evened their match at 4-4, they ultimately lost their contest to Nicolas Arseneault and Jaden Weekes, 6-4.

Singles Competition Sees Ups and Downs

The Wildcats continued their success into singles play, but Tennessee saw a spark from Jose Garcia. Jose Garcia provided a spark with a three-set winner, coming back after losing the first set, over No. 38 Jack Loutit, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5. Though, Kentucky quickly responded with a win on court one, as No. 94 Nicolas Arseneault defeated No. 58 Alejandro Moreno in a three-set match, 6-0, 6-7 (7-9), 6-3.

Itsusaki Remains Undefeated

Freshman Shion Itsusaki continued his impressive start to his collegiate career, securing his fourth consecutive singles victory. It was Itsusaki’s first career match that went the distance, as he bested Kentucky’s Matt Rankin, 6-2, 2-6, 10-8. Itsusaki boasts an 89-percent winning percentage on court six for the Volunteers.

Looking Ahead

Tennessee will conclude its two-match road trip with a contest against Vanderbilt on Monday at 2 p.m. ET at the Lummis Family Tennis Center in Nashville.

Match Results

University of Tennessee Athletics

Singles

1. #94 Nicolas Arseneault (UK) def. #58 Alejandro Moreno (UT), 6-0, 6-7 (7-9), 6-3
2. #16 Eli Stephenson (UK) def. Dragos Cazacu (UT), 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)
3. Jose Garcia (UT) def. #38 Jack Loutit (UK), 4-6, 6-4, 7-5
4. #91 Charlelie Cosnet (UK) def. Jan Kobierski (UT), 6-4, 7-5
5. Mikael Arseneault (UK) def. Boruch Skierkier (UT), 1-6, 6-2, 12-10
6. Shion Itsusaki (UT) def. Matt Rankin (UK), 6-2, 2-6, 10-8

Order of Finish: 4, 2, 3, 1, 5, 6

Doubles

1. Dragos Cazacu/Piotr Siekanowicz (UT) vs. #23 Jack Loutit/Eli Stephenson (UK), 4-5 unf.
2. Nicolas Arseneault/Jaden Weekes (UK) def. Shion Itsusaki/Ethan Muza (UT), 6-4
3. Martin Breysach/Charlelie Cosnet (UK) def. Jose Garcia/Alejandro Moreno (UT), 6-1

Order of Finish: 3, 2

The Volunteers will look to bounce back against Vanderbilt on Monday. Stay tuned to 247sports.news for continued coverage of Tennessee men’s tennis.