GAINESVILLE, FLA. -- Top-ranked Florida downed Furman, 6-1, Saturday in the season opener for both teams at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex in Gainesville, Fla. Paladin senior Clarke Wilson defeated 70th-ranked Lukas Greif, 7-6(7-0), 6-2, at flight three singles to put Furman on the board in the match-up.
The Gators won two of three doubles matches to take the first point. Johannes Ingildsen and Will Grant topped ten-ranked seniors Jake Munns and Jake Bhangdia, 6-3, at flight one, and Sam Riffice and Harrison Cacciatore defeated junior Ivan Mitric and sophomore James Roelofse. At flight two, Furman's Wilson and junior Henrik Atlevi held the advantage, 5-2, in an unfinished match versus 31st-ranked Duarte Vale and Andres Andrade.
In other singles action, fourth-ranked Riffice beat Munns, 6-4, 6-1, at flight one, and Vale, who ranks 17th nationally, bested Mitric, 7-6, 6-2, at flight two. At flight four, Josh Goodger handed Bhangdia a 6-1, 6-4 defeat, while No. 118 Blaise Bicknell held off Atlevi, 6-3, 6-0, at number five. In the flight six contest, Ingildsen scored a 6-1, 6-3 victory over junior Drew Singerman.
Furman (0-1) will travel to Charlottesville, Va., on Wednesday to take on Virginia. First serve is set for noon at the Board's Head Sports Club.
#1 University of Florida 6, Furman 1
Singles competition
1. #4 Sam Riffice (UF) def. Jake Munns (FUR) 6-4, 6-1
2. #17 Duarte Vale (UF) def. Ivan Mitric (FUR) 7-6, 6-2
3. Clarke Wilson (FUR) def. #70 Lukas Greif (UF) 7-6 (7-0), 6-2
4. Josh Goodger (UF) def. Jake Bhangdia (FUR) 6-1, 6-4
5. #118 Blaise Bicknell (UF) def. Henrik Atlevi (FUR) 6-3, 6-0
6. Johannes Ingildsen (UF) def. Drew Singerman (FUR) 6-1, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Johannes Ingildsen/Will Grant (UF) def. #10 Jake Munns/Jake Bhangdia (FUR) 6-3
2. #31 Duarte Vale/Andres Andrade (UF) vs. Clarke Wilson/Henrik Atlevi (FUR) 2-5, unfinished
3. Sam Riffice/Harrison Cacciatore (UF) def. Ivan Mitric/James Roelofse (FUR) 6-1
Match Notes:
Furman 0-1
University of Florida 1-0; National ranking #1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (5,1,6,4,2,3)
T-2:17 A-131
