The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebel Netters Down Alabama
6/21/1999 | Men's Tennis
March 28, 1998
OXFORD, Miss. -- The No. 6 nationally-ranked Ole Miss men's tennis team downed 16th-ranked Alabama 6-1 Saturday at the Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center to snap a two-match losing streak. The Rebels improve to 13-4 overall, and 4-2 in the SEC, while Alabama drops to 9-7 overall and 1-5 in conference play.
The Rebels took a commanding 3-1 lead in the match, and then Martin Sjoqvist held off Ariel Rivero in the second set to win 6-2, 7-5, clinching the Rebel victory.
"This was a typical SEC match, however; this time it fell our way." Head Coach Billy Chadwick said. "The guys needed a win to build confidence after a tough loss to LSU. Hopefully this will give us momentum heading into the Kentucky match and our continued quest for an SEC Championship."
Ole Miss took a 1-0 lead after sweeping the doubles. Sebastien DeChaunac and Sjoqvist downed Chris Lopez and Graydon Oliver 8-3 at No. 1 doubles and then Vikrant Chada and Sebastien Lami defeated Francisco Rodriguez and Rivero 8-5 at No. 2 doubles to clinch the point.
In singles, seventh-ranked DeChaunac gave Ole Miss a 2-0 lead downing ninth-ranked Rodriguez 6-2, 6-0 at the top spot. The win ended a two-match losing streak for DeChaunac and improved his career record in SEC play to 28-5.
Alabama's Karim Zaher made it 2-1 when he cruised to a 6-3, 6-3 win over Barry Hassell at No. 6 singles, but Rebel Lami pushed the margin to 3-1 with a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Lopez at No. 2 singles, before Sjoqvist sealed the victory. Lami has won 10 of his last 11 matches. The Rebels' final two points came at No. 4 and 5 singles. Chada won his ninth in a row, coming back to beat Oliver 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-1. He remains undefeated at No. 4 singles with a 9-0 record and is 12-1 in dual matches. Freshman Shortall defeated Mason Snider 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-6(4) at No. 6 singles.
The Rebels will continue their homestand Monday as they host 17th-ranked Kentucky at 2:00 p.m.
#6 Ole Miss 6
#16 Alabama 1
SINGLES
#1 Sebastien DeChaunac (OM) def. Francisco Rodriguez (UA) 6-2, 6-0
#2 Sebastien Lami (OM) def. Chris Lopez (UA) 6-0, 6-3
#3 Martin Sjoqvist (OM) def. Ariel Rivero (UA) 6-2, 7-5
#4 Vikrant Chada (OM) def. Graydon Oliver (UA) 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-1
#5 James Shortall (OM) def. Mason Snider (UA) 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-6(4)
#6 Karim Zaher (UA) def. Barry Hassell (OM) 6-3, 6-3
DOUBLES
#1 DeChaunac-Sjoqvist (OM) def. Lopez-Oliver (UA) 8-3
#2 Lami-Chada (OM) def. Rodriguez-Oliver (UA) 8-5
#3 Shortall-Hassell (OM) def. Alan Taranga (UA) 9-8(4)
