Knights Finish Non-Conference Play Undefeated at Home

ORLANDO – The No. 10 UCF men’s tennis team concluded its non-conference schedule with a decisive 7-0 victory over the South Alabama Jaguars on Tuesday afternoon at the USTA National Campus. The Knights now boast a perfect 10-0 record at home this season and an overall record of 14-2.

UCF only dropped two matches during the entire non-conference slate, both coming from ITA Indoor competition last month.

Dominant Doubles Performance Sets the Tone

The afternoon began with a commanding showing in doubles play. The clinch was nearly secured on multiple courts simultaneously before the Knights transitioned to singles competition.

“The afternoon began with a dominant showing in doubles in which the clinch was seconds away from being won on either of the front two courts before the Black and Gold moved to singles play with six consecutive wins.”

The duo of Luca Hotze and Nicolas Oliveira quickly secured a 6-3 victory on court three.

On the remaining two courts, Yassine Dlimi and Paul Colin, along with Mehdi Benchakroun and Wissam Abderrahman, battled fiercely before Benchakroun and Abderrahman clinched the doubles point with a 6-4 win.

Singles Sweep Completes Victory

The Knights continued their momentum into singles play, winning all six matches. Nicolas Oliveira swiftly defeated his South Alabama opponent 6-0, 6-3 on court five. Clement Lemire followed with a 6-2, 6-1 victory on court six.

Paul Colin added another point for UCF, winning 6-1, 6-4, bringing the team score to 4-0. No. 74 Wissam Abderrahman secured a 6-2, 6-3 result on court two.

In a dramatic finish on court one, No. 83 Yassine Dlimi won a three-set thriller 6-7 (3-7), 7-5, 10-4.

Benchakroun Reaches Milestone

Mehdi Benchakroun solidified a win on court three with a score of 6-0, 7-5, achieving a remarkable milestone of 100 collegiate wins over singles and doubles play. All 100 of Benchakroun’s wins have come during his four years with the Knights.

Up Next: Big 12 Competition

With non-conference play complete, UCF will host its first regular season Big 12 opponent, Texas Tech, on Friday, March 13, at 6 p.m. At the USTA National Campus.

Match Results

Singles Results

1. Yassine Dlimi (UCF) def. Braden Hannig (USA) 6-7 (3-7), 7-5, 10-4
2. Wissam Abderrahman (UCF) def. Juan Accossatto (USA) 6-2, 6-3
3. Mehdi Benchakroun (UCF) def. Harold van Raemdonck (USA) 6-0, 7-5
4. Paul Colin (UCF) def. Jules Caby (USA) 6-1, 6-4
5. Nicolas Oliveira (UCF) def. Adam Bouyacoub (USA) 6-0, 6-3
6. Clement Lemire (UCF) def. Deren Yigin (USA) 6-2, 6-1

Doubles Results

1. Paul Colin/Yassine Dlimi (UCF) vs. Adam Bouyacoub/Braden Hannig (USA) 5-4, unfinished
2. Wissam Abderrahman/Mehdi Benchakroun (UCF) def. Juan Accossatto/Deren Yigin (USA) 6-4
3. Luca Hotze/Nicolas Oliveira (UCF) def. Victor Frumholz/Harold van Raemdonck (USA) 6-3