Category: Men’s Tennis

Florida tennis results from 2024 Bedford Cup

After sweeping the Bedford Cup a year ago, Florida came into the 2024 tournament with high hopes. However, no Gator made it past the quarterfinals.

Nine in-state programs competed for the 2024 Bedford Cup this weekend at the University of Florida, including FAU, FGCU, FSU, Miami, Stetson, UCF, UNF and USF.

Mattia Akcan, Francesco Cordova, Kevin Edengren and Tanapatt Nirundorn played in singles and doubles action for the Gators. Nirundorn is the only Gator with experience at the event having played in it last year. The Gators swept the 2023 edition of the tournament, including Nirundorn’s doubles championship.

Singles play was split into two brackets — Orange and Blue —  while the doubles format had just one draw.

Singles Results

Nirundorn, the second seed in the Orange bracket, had a bye in the Round of 32 and defeated USF’s Thomas Pavlekovich-Smith, 6-2, 6-4, in the second round on Friday. Unfortunately, he fell in straight sets to UNF’s Andreas Scott in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Edengren lost his opening-round matchup against Stetson’s Eder Blanco Fernandez, 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-3, in the Orange bracket. He defaulted in the consolation bracket.

In the opening round of the Blue singles draw, Cordova advanced in straight sets, 7-6, 5-3, over Florida Gulf Coast’s Stavros Hadjivarna, and Akcan fell in the opening round in three sets to Florida State’s Elias Sumann.

Cordova retired before the end of the second set in the Round of 16 due to injury. He was losing, 6-3, 5-3, before retirement.

Akcan won his first consolation match in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, against UNF’s Benjamin Scott and advanced through the quarterfinals, defeating Miami’s Maximo Oberto, 6-2, 6-3. His run came to an end in the semifinals, losing 6-0, 7-5 against UNF’s Jean Deloziere.

Doubles Results

Nirundorn and Edengren teamed up for the event but didn’t end up playing a match. As the No. 3 seed, they earned a bye in the opening round and withdrew from the Round of 16.

Akcan and Cordova lost in the opening round, 6-2, to Florida State’s Jan Sebesta and Elias Sumann. The duo found some success in the consolation bracket’s quarterfinals, though, defeating Kartik Mandla and Lucas Olivier from Stetson, 6-4. They fell in the semifinals, 7-5, against Florida State’s Justin Lyons and Azariah Rusher.

What’s next?

Florida gets a week off from competition but returns to action Nov. 7-10 for ITA Sectionals. The Gators also have the Bonita Bay Classic at Florida Gulf Coast University on the schedule from Nov. 8-10, so expect the majority of Florida’s 10-man roster to be in action.

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Florida men’s tennis opens 2024 fall season this weekend

The Gators men’s tennis team kicks off its fall action this weekend at the SEC Challenge in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

The Florida men’s tennis program opens its 2024 fall schedule this weekend at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa for this year’s SEC Challenge.

Six Gators will compete against opponents from seven other Southeastern Conference schools: the Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, Kentucky Wildcats, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Ole Miss Rebels, Oklahoma Sooners and Vanderbilt Commodores.

Rookies Mattia Akcan and Francesco Cordova will appear in their first-ever collegiate matches while newcomer Bradley Paliska — a transfer from the Cornell Big Red who went 14-11 last season — will make his first appearance with the Orange and Blue.

Veterans Kevin Edengren and Henry Jefferson will be making their collegiate fall season debuts this weekend while graduate student JanMagnus Johnson will make a much-anticipated appearance with Florida after an injury ended his spring 2024 campaign prematurely.

“Excited to get started and begin the mission that we are on. Guys have been working hard and can’t wait to compete together at the Bama Invite,” head coach Adam Steinberg offered. “I expect them to prepare the right way and play with great energy, focus, and intensity all weekend long.”

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Florida men’s tennis hauls in 5 individual, All-SEC Academic Team honors

The men’s tennis team has been tenacious on the hardcourt but also in the classroom this year.

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced the 2024 Division I Men’s ITA Scholar-Athletes and All-Academic Teams on Monday. The Florida men’s tennis program was awarded an All-Academic Team recognition while five individuals were honored as 2024 ITA Scholar-Athletes.

Gators academic standouts [autotag]Henry Jefferson[/autotag], [autotag]JanMagnus Johnson[/autotag], [autotag]Kevin Edengren[/autotag], [autotag]Mattia Akcan[/autotag] and [autotag]Nate Bonetto[/autotag] are the five ITA Scholar-Athletes representing the Orange and Blue in the announcement.

The women’s team had six individuals honored as 2024 ITA Scholar-Athletes while the program also earned All-Academic Team recognition. Those results were also announced on Monday.

Requirements for awards qualification

For individuals:

  • Have a student grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.00 scale) for the current academic year;
  • Be listed on the institutional eligibility form

ITA All-Academic Team:

  • Have a team grade point average of 3.2 or above (on a 4.00 scale);
  • All student-athletes included should be listed on the institutional eligibility form;
  • All varsity letter winners should be factored into the cumulative team GPA for the current academic year

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Ohio State men’s tennis adds assistant coach

Welcoming a Buckeye home! #GoBucks

The Ohio State men’s tennis team announced the hiring of Hunter Callagan as assistant coach on Tuesday.

The men’s tennis program has been arguably the best in the country under head coach Ty Tucker, winning two indoor national championships and coming achingly close to pulling off an outdoor title over mutliple years.

Callahan comes to Columbus after spending the last two seasons as an assistant at the University of Miami. If anyone knows the OSU program, it’s Callahan, having played for OSU from 2011-2015, and acting in the capacity as a volunteer assistant from 2020-2022.

“It’s exciting to have Hunter return to Ohio State,” director of tennis Ty Tucker said in a statement. “He did a great job at Miami and will bring experience and knowledge to the practice court and lineup. Hunter has hit the ground running and is already doing a fantastic job on the court and on the recruiting trail.”

Callahan is happy to be returning home after helping guide Miami to a 26-24 record over the last two seasons.

“I’m thrilled to be back at Ohio State and I’m really looking forward to this opportunity,” Callahan said. “This program obviously means so much to me. Ty and Justin (Kronauge) have done a tremendous job in building a program that is at the top of collegiate tennis year after year, and I’m excited to help continue that success.”

Some things fit like a glove, and this hire seems to be one of those.

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Highlights from Ben Shelton’s 2024 Wimbledon loss to No. 1 Jannik Sinner

The Gators star made the deepest run of his young career at Wimbledon this summer. Here are the highlights.

Former Florida tennis standout [autotag]Ben Shelton[/autotag] came into the 2024 edition of Wimbledon a 14th seed and managed to last three rounds before making his exit.

On Sunday, top-ranked Jannik Sinner defeated his fellow 22-year-old to move on to the quarterfinals, while the UF alumnus heads home with his head held high. While Shelton was eliminated in straight sets, he fought hard — especially in the final set – but simply did no have enough to upend the best player in the world right now.

Shelton came in having played every day of the tournament due to rain while also playing the maximum 15 sets through three matches, so it is difficult to rule out fatigue as a contributing factor.

Below is a look at highlights from Ben Shelton’s fourth-round loss to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon 2024.

Ben Shelton’s Wimbledon run ends in straight sets to No. 1 Jannik Skinner

Coming in as a 14th seed to this year’s Wimbledon event, Ben Shelton fell in the fourth round to the best player in the world.

Former Florida tennis star [autotag]Ben Shelton[/autotag]’s success at Wimbledon this summer finally came to an end at the hands of the top-ranked player in the world, Jannik Sinner, on Sunday in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(9).

Sinner was forced to work in the first two sets but Shelton showed tenacity in the third — and ultimately, final — set. The Gator alumnus forced several set points but his opponent kept his cool, earning a tie-breaking win under extreme duress to clinch the victory.

The victor neutralized his opponent’s serve for the most part, allowing wins on just 70% of Shelton’s first-serve points and four lost service games over the course of the two-hour and eight-minute match.

Shelton came in having played every day of the tournament due to rain while also playing the maximum 15 sets through three matches. Sinner dominated rallies of zero to four shots by an 81-62 margin and pushed his opponent well behind the baseline during many rallies.

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Highlights from Ben Shelton’s third-round 2024 Wimbledon win

Take a look at Ben Shelton’s Sunday win at Wimbledon as he continues his ascent up the world tennis ranks.

Former Florida tennis standout [autotag]Ben Shelton[/autotag] continued his run through the 2024 Wimbledon course, defeating left-handed Canadian Denis Shapovalov on Sunday to earn a matchup with the top-ranked player in the world next.

Once again, Shelton needed over three hours to complete yet another five-set comeback win, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, to keep his hopes alive in the grand slam event. Nonetheless, the 21-year-old American lives to play another day with his toughest challenge yet to come.

“We’re back, big dog,” Shelton said after the game, acknowledging the 30th anniversary of his father’s fourth-round run at the tournament. Bryan Shelton, who coached Ben at the University of Florida, is often shown on the broadcasts advising his son from the stands.

Take a look below at highlights from Ben Shelton’s third-round win over Denis Shapovalov on Sunday at Wimbledon.

 

 

Highlights from Ben Shelton’s second-round 2024 Wimbledon win

Here’s a look at highlights from Ben Shelton’s Thursday win over Lloyd Harris at Wimbledon.

Ben Shelton earned a hard-fought victory in the first round of Wimbledon 2024 with a five-set win over 23-year-old Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci on Monday, moving him on to the next round of play.

The former Gator defeated South African qualifier Lloyd Harris in five sets on Thursday, with a scoreline of 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (7/5), 6-3, 7-6 (10/7). The 21-year-old needed three hours and 14 minutes to prevail over his opponent, showing great feel around the net under pressure in the match tie-break to earn the win.

Shelton advanced to the third round at The Championships for the first time with the victory. Below is a look at highlights from the match.

Highlights from Ben Shelton’s opening-round 2024 Wimbledon win

Take a look at highlights from Ben Shelton’s hard-earned win at Wimbledon last Monday over Mattia Bellucci.

Former Florida tennis standout and NCAA champion [autotag]Ben Shelton[/autotag] has had a meteoric rise through the professional ranks since leaving Gainesville, coming into the 2024 edition of Wimbledon as a No. 14 seed in the prestigious event.

The 21-year-old opened up the grand slam event with a five-set win over 148th-ranked Italian Mattia Bellucci, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. It was a tough match for Shelton, but he managed to prevail in the end.

“He was playing so well,” said Shelton. “Every ball that I hit big, he was hitting back bigger.”

However, the young star was able to make some changes to accommodate his opponent’s style of play.

“I’m happy with the adjustments I made,” said Shelton. “I tried to play instead of just hit the ball.”

Take a look at highlights from Monday’s match at Wimbledon below.

Highlights from Ben Shelton’s opening-round 2024 Wimbledon win

Here’s a look at highlights from Ben Shelton’s Thursday win over Lloyd Harris at Wimbledon.

Former Florida tennis standout and NCAA champion [autotag]Ben Shelton[/autotag] has had a meteoric rise through the professional ranks since leaving Gainesville, coming into the 2024 edition of Wimbledon as a No. 14 seed in the prestigious event.

The former Gator defeated South African Lloyd Harris in five sets on Thursday, with a scoreline of 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (7/5), 6-3, 7-6 (10/7). The 21-year-old needed three hours and 14 minutes to prevail over his opponent, showing great feel around the net under pressure in the match tie-break to earn the win.

Shelton advanced to the third round at The Championships for the first time with the victory. Below is a look at highlights from the match.