Hogs Dominate in 7-0 Sweep of Hawai’i

HONOLULU, Hawai’i – The Arkansas men’s tennis team (1-0) started the season off on a high note with a sweep over Hawai’i (0-2) on the road at the UH Tennis Complex.

The Razorbacks claimed an early lead with a doubles sweep to earn the first point of the match. Senior Stefanos Savva and freshman Connor Smillie teamed up for the first time for a 6-1 win on court three, while senior Alan Sau Franco and sophomore Gerard Planelles Ripoll grabbed a 6-3 victory in the top spot. Graduate Jared Horwood and senior Melvin Manuel closed out doubles play with a narrow 7-5 win over Collins/Somerville.

Savva started out strong again in singles play with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 victory to obtain the first singles win. Sau Franco quickly followed with a 6-0, 6-0 victory of his own, while Manuel clinched the match for the Hogs after a 6-0, 6-3 win.

Sophomore Benedikt Emesz picked up another point for Arkansas, claiming a 6-2, 6-3 victory as the remaining courts were played out. Planelles Ripoll posted a 6-2, 6-2 win in the top spot and sophomore Božo Barun came back to earn the final point of the match for the Razorbacks after a 2-6, 7-5, 1-0 (5) victory.

The Hogs will return to the Billingsley Tennis Center next week to host Illinois State on Friday, Jan. 19 and MTSU on Sunday, Jan. 21.