University of Tennessee Athletics
Thursday, March 20
Tuscaloosa, AL
8 PM
University of Tennessee
at
Alabama
Men’s Tennis Central: #19 Tennessee at Alabama
March 19, 2025 | Men's Tennis
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The 19th-ranked Tennessee men's tennis team is primed for a road showdown against Alabama on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET at Alabama Tennis Stadium.
A live stream will be provided for fans here, and live stats will continuously update throughout the match here.
LAST TIME OUT
Tennessee (13-5, 4-3 SEC) extended their win streak to four matches this past weekend, defeating Ole Miss and LSU in a pair of weekend fixtures. The Big Orange went a remarkable 10-1 in singles battles throughout the weekend, allowing them to cruise to a 7-0 sweep against Ole Miss and a 4-2 comeback victory versus LSU.
Four individuals earned multiple singles victories in the two conference bouts, as Shunsuke Mitsui, Alex Kotzen, Alan Jesudason and Ian Cruzed paved the way for an undefeated weekend for UT.
SCOUTING THE CRIMSON TIDE
Alabama (10-7, 2-6 SEC) is currently ranked at No. 33 in the ITA National Rankings. The Crimson Tide are returning home after suffering a four-match losing streak on the road. Their squad is a perfect 8-0 at home this season, with their two conference wins coming at Alabama Tennis Stadium.
During the 2023-24 slate, Alabama went 18-13 overall, losing in the NCAA Second Round to Duke. Filip Planinsek went on to win the NCAA Singles Championship after the conclusion of team postseason play, and he is currently ranked in both singles and doubles this season. Including Planinsek, Alabama boasts three singles individuals and three total doubles pairs who are ranked in the latest ITA poll.
Tennessee holds a 52-15 record all-time against the Crimson Tide, and the Vols are riding a nine-match win streak heading into Thursday's showdown – the longest winning streak in the series. Last season, UT secured a top-25 win over Alabama, earning a gritty 5-2 victory.
VOLS IN THE RANKINGS
Singles
#24 – Shunsuke Mitsui
#35 – Alex Kotzen
Doubles
#13 – Alex Kotzen/Alejandro Moreno
CRIMSON TIDE IN THE RANKINGS
Singles
#18 – Filip Planinsek
#83 – Roan Jones
#119 – Matias Ponce de Leon
Doubles
#32 – Matic Kriznik/Filip Planinsek
#81 – Andrii Zimnokh/Zach Foster
#83 – Damien Nezar/Andrii Zimnokh
SHUN MOVING UP
After going 2-0 in singles this past weekend, senior Shunsuke Mitsui has earned a total of 120 singles victories for his illustrious career at Tennessee. That number is good enough to be tied for sixth in program history with VFL Mark Parsons (1997-2001) for career singles wins.
UP NEXT
Tennessee will continue its road swing in the Yellowhammer State, taking on Auburn on Saturday, March 22 at 1 p.m. ET.
For the most up-to-date information about the program, follow Tennessee men's tennis on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook.
A live stream will be provided for fans here, and live stats will continuously update throughout the match here.
LAST TIME OUT
Tennessee (13-5, 4-3 SEC) extended their win streak to four matches this past weekend, defeating Ole Miss and LSU in a pair of weekend fixtures. The Big Orange went a remarkable 10-1 in singles battles throughout the weekend, allowing them to cruise to a 7-0 sweep against Ole Miss and a 4-2 comeback victory versus LSU.
Four individuals earned multiple singles victories in the two conference bouts, as Shunsuke Mitsui, Alex Kotzen, Alan Jesudason and Ian Cruzed paved the way for an undefeated weekend for UT.
SCOUTING THE CRIMSON TIDE
Alabama (10-7, 2-6 SEC) is currently ranked at No. 33 in the ITA National Rankings. The Crimson Tide are returning home after suffering a four-match losing streak on the road. Their squad is a perfect 8-0 at home this season, with their two conference wins coming at Alabama Tennis Stadium.
During the 2023-24 slate, Alabama went 18-13 overall, losing in the NCAA Second Round to Duke. Filip Planinsek went on to win the NCAA Singles Championship after the conclusion of team postseason play, and he is currently ranked in both singles and doubles this season. Including Planinsek, Alabama boasts three singles individuals and three total doubles pairs who are ranked in the latest ITA poll.
Tennessee holds a 52-15 record all-time against the Crimson Tide, and the Vols are riding a nine-match win streak heading into Thursday's showdown – the longest winning streak in the series. Last season, UT secured a top-25 win over Alabama, earning a gritty 5-2 victory.
VOLS IN THE RANKINGS
Singles
#24 – Shunsuke Mitsui
#35 – Alex Kotzen
Doubles
#13 – Alex Kotzen/Alejandro Moreno
CRIMSON TIDE IN THE RANKINGS
Singles
#18 – Filip Planinsek
#83 – Roan Jones
#119 – Matias Ponce de Leon
Doubles
#32 – Matic Kriznik/Filip Planinsek
#81 – Andrii Zimnokh/Zach Foster
#83 – Damien Nezar/Andrii Zimnokh
SHUN MOVING UP
After going 2-0 in singles this past weekend, senior Shunsuke Mitsui has earned a total of 120 singles victories for his illustrious career at Tennessee. That number is good enough to be tied for sixth in program history with VFL Mark Parsons (1997-2001) for career singles wins.
UP NEXT
Tennessee will continue its road swing in the Yellowhammer State, taking on Auburn on Saturday, March 22 at 1 p.m. ET.
For the most up-to-date information about the program, follow Tennessee men's tennis on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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