GAINESVILLE, Fla., Jan. 26, 2020 – University of South Florida men's tennis suffered its first loss of the season against No. 2 Florida, 4-0, today in the 12^th annual ITA Kickoff Championship at the University of Florida.
 
USF (4-1) started the match with a doubles point loss; a first for this season. Previously undefeated Sergio Gomez Montesa (Valencia, Spain) and Ivan Yatsuk (Minsk, Belarus) were bested by Duarte Vale and Josh Goodger on court three, 6-3. Jakub Wojcik (Delray Beach, Fla.) and Rithvik Bollipalli (Hyderabad, India) attempted to rally against No. 14 pair Oliver Crawford and Sam Riffice but eventually fell, 6-4.  
 
Florida entered singles with the 1-0 advantage and five ranked starters. No. 4 Sam Riffice extended the Gators' lead with a court two win over Wojcik, 6-0, 6-3. No. 17 Duarte Vale kept the pace and closed out court three against Pierre Luquet (Draguignan, France), 6-2, 6-1. The loss was Luquet's first of the season.
 
With the score of the championship match now 3-0, Antonio Muniz-Hidalgo (Barcelona, Spain) worked court four against No. 72 Andy Andrade but ultimately lost, 7-6 (4), 6-1, securing the win for Florida.
 
Quotable
Head coach Ashley Fisher on the loss to No. 2 Florida:

"We played a very good team today on their home courts and they had to come up with some of their best stuff to get the job done. The doubles was a very high level on all three courts with us having a lot of opportunities but to Florida's credit they elevated and got us. We were there on a lot of the courts in singles but the clock ran out on us. It's been a really positive three weeks and we are excited about where this team is headed. Day off tomorrow and then we set our sights on Mississippi State in our home opener."
 
Up Next
After five straight away matches, the Bulls return to the USF Varsity Tennis Courts to host Mississippi State (RV), Friday, Jan. 31 at 1:30 p.m.
 
 
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