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On Tuesday, the Florida men’s tennis team hosted UNF, hoping to rebound after an excruciating weekend at home. The Gators cruised past the Ospreys, crushing them without dropping a match.
Midweek Sweep 🧹🧹#GoGators | Presented by @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/RUvJ1n6QQY
— Gators Men's Tennis (@GatorsMTN) April 11, 2023
So Close, Yet So Far
This past weekend was one of the most crucial homestands of Florida’s entire season. Before Friday, the Gators had won six of their last seven matches, and they were hoping the momentum would carry.
It did not.
On Friday, No. 9 Tennessee came to town and narrowly upended Florida 4-3. The match came down to the last set of singles. This was a huge loss for the Orange and Blue, being a Top 10 SEC matchup.
Gave it all we had.#GoGators | Presented by @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/IkcxzvZOl1
— Gators Men's Tennis (@GatorsMTN) April 7, 2023
Two days later, on Sunday, the Gators had another shot at an SEC upset against No. 7 Georgia. However, the result was the same. The Gators fell 4-3 to the Bulldogs and the loss left a sour taste in the Gators’ mouths.
Heartbreaker.#GoGators | Presented by @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/NsfJcqYYTN
— Gators Men's Tennis (@GatorsMTN) April 9, 2023
Getting Back on Track
The road ahead is not going to get any easier, so Florida has to capitalize on every opportunity it has.
The SEC has been arguably the best conference in college tennis this year, so fending off non-conference foes is a must. The Gators did exactly that when UNF came to town Tuesday.
Tana-Patt Yourself on the Back
The brightest star on the Gators’ lineup Tuesday was freshman Tanapatt Nirundorn. Not only did he shut the Ospreys out in his doubles match with Nate Bonetto, but he dominated court six, securing a speedy 6-0, 6-2 victory.
Nirundorn has been known as a doubles specialist this year, but with the recent struggles of Olek Orlikowski on court six singles, he has been a welcome addition.
Singles update:
Serve and volleyed to the W!
1️⃣ #41 Axel Nefve ↔️ 6-6
2️⃣ #83 Will Grant ⬆️ 6-4, 3-3
3️⃣ #106 Jonah Braswell ⬆️ 6-1, 2-2
4️⃣ Lukas Greif ⬆️ 6-1, 4-1
5️⃣ Nate Bonetto ⬆️ 6-0, 5-3
✅ Tanapatt Nirundorn ⬆️ 6-0, 6-2UF 2, UNF 0#GoGators 🐊🎾 pic.twitter.com/uMgXM8m91s
— Gators Men's Tennis (@GatorsMTN) April 11, 2023
Not Getting Any Easier
Florida currently sits at 13-10 this season, a record that sounds mediocre but is mostly indicative of the teams they have played.
They have two matches left before the SEC tournament in late April. This Friday, they will host SEC rival Kentucky at the Ring in Gainesville.
The No. 5 Wildcats got the best of them at ITA Indoor Nationals earlier this spring, 4-1.
First round final from #ITAIndoors.#GoGators 🐊🎾 | @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/mc0BdlKmR8
— Gators Men's Tennis (@GatorsMTN) February 17, 2023
After Kentucky, they have two days to head north before squaring off with the ninth-ranked Gamecocks in Columbia, South Carolina.
After two straight Top 10 SEC losses, Florida will be out for revenge this coming weekend.
