#19 Vols Roll Past Alabama, 4-3

Thursday, March 20

Tuscaloosa, AL

8 PM

University of Tennessee

Alabama

March 20, 2025 | Men's Tennis

Box Score PDF Box

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 19 Tennessee men's tennis team earned its fifth straight SEC victory with a 4-3 display against Alabama on Thursday night at Alabama Tennis Stadium.

Tennessee (14-5, 5-3 SEC) saw momentum swing in its favor early in the showdown, clinching the doubles point for the fourth time in the past five matches. No. 13 Alex Kotzen and Alejandro Moreno got things started with win over Alabama's (10-8, 2-7 SEC) No. 83 Damien Nezar and Andrii Zimnokh.

Jose Garcia and James Newton, playing together in doubles for the first time this season, clinched the doubles point for the Vols, 6-4. Shunsuke Mitsui and Alan Jesudason were up 6-5 on court two before the early advantage swung in UT's favor.

The Vols got singles started by securing four first sets and setting the tone early that would carry throughout the rest of the match. The Crimson Tide, however, would get the singles scoring started with a win on court three, evening the score at 1-1. UT would quickly respond, as No. 35 Kotzen defeated No. 83 Roan Jones, 6-4, 6-3.

The Crimson Tide would once again respond, bringing the match to a 2-2 ledger. The Big Orange, maintaining leads on the remaining three singles courts, earned back-to-back singles wins from Ian Cruz and Moreno to clinch the match.

After the clincher was provided by Moreno, Alabama earned a win on court five to bring the final tally to 4-3 in favor of Tennessee.

UP NEXT
Tennessee will continue its road swing in the Yellowhammer State, taking on Auburn on Saturday, March 22 at 1 p.m. ET.

RESULTS
Doubles
1. #13 Alex Kotzen/Alejandro Moreno (TENN) def. #83 Damien Nezar/Andrii Zimnokh (UA) 6-2
2. #32 Filip Planinsek/Matic Kriznik (UA) vs. Shunsuke Mitsui/Alan Jesudason (TENN) 5-6, unfinished
3. Jose Garcia/James Newton (TENN) def. Roan Jones/Zach Foster (UA) 6-4

Order of Finish: 1,3

Singles
1. #18 Filip Planinsek (UA) def. #24 Shunsuke Mitsui (TENN) 7-5, 6-3
2. #35 Alex Kotzen (TENN) def. #83 Roan Jones (UA) 6-4, 6-3
3. Andrii Zimnokh (UA) def. Jose Garcia (TENN) 6-2, 6-1
4. Alejandro Moreno (TENN) def. Matic Kriznik (UA) 6-3, 7-5
5. Damien Nezar (UA) def. Alan Jesudason (TENN) 5-7, 7-6 (8-6), 10-7
6. Ian Cruz (TENN) def. Carlos Gimenez Perez (UA) 6-3, 6-4

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

For the most up-to-date information about the program, follow Tennessee men's tennis on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook.