WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Old Dominion men’s tennis fell to Kentucky 4-0 in its NCAA Tournament opener on Friday afternoon.
Cosme Rolland De Ravel and Adam Majchrzak got things started for ODU after they claimed the first doubles win against Antoine Ghibaudo and Jaden Weekes (6-3) on court two. Kentucky’s Martin Breysach and Charlelie Cosnet responded shortly after with a win over No. 3 Jean-Karim Olivier de Sardan and Thomas Nelson (6-4), leaving the first point of the day to court one. In extra sets, Wildcats Jack Loutit and Eli Stephenson overcame Connor and Codie Van Schalkwyk (7-6) to give Kentucky the first point of the day.
No. 3 Weekes continued on to best Yanis Moundir (6-1, 6-0) in the singles matches, with teammate No. 6 Matt Rankin following suit after downing Nelson (6-4, 6-2). To clinch the match and the tournament win, No. 5 Stephenson overcame Aryan Saleh in extra sets (6-3, 3-6, 6-2) to close out the day.
No. 1 Rolland De Ravel’s, No. 2 Connor Van Schalkwyk’s, and No. 4 Olivier de Sardan’s matches against respective opponents Ghibaudo (3-6, 6-3, 5-0), Loutit (3-6, 7-6, 2-0), and Cosent (4-6 6-4, 2-5) were suspended.
“Great season, couldn’t be more proud of this group,” Head Coach Dominik Mueller said. “We had ups and downs but got better throughout the season and that’s what matters. The fight today was incredible. Being down the doubles points and losing every first set, many teams would have given up. This group battled to come back to make it four final sets and that speaks for their character.”
This was the Monarchs third straight season with both an NCAA Tournament appearance and Sun Belt Conference championship.
#56 Old Dominion 0, #32 Kentucky 4
Singles competition
- Cosme Rolland De Ravel (ODU) vs. #53 Antoine Ghibaudo (UK) 3-6, 6-3, 5-0, unfinished
- Connor Van Schalkwyk (ODU) vs. #59 Jack Loutit (UK) 3-6, 7-6, 2-0, unfinished
- #78 Jaden Weekes (UK) def. Yanis Moundir (ODU) 6-1, 6-0
- Jean-Karim Olivier de Sardan (ODU) vs. Chalelie Cosnet (UK) 4-6, 6-4, 2-5, unfinished
- Eli Stephenson (UK) def. Aryan Saleh (ODU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-2
- Matt Rankin (UK) def. Thomas Nelson (ODU) 6-4, 6-2
Doubles competition
- #12 Jack Loutit and Eli Stephenson (UK) def. Connor Van Schalkwyk and Codie Van Schalkwyk (ODU) 7-6
- Cosme Rolland De Ravel and Adam Majchrzak (ODU) def. Antoine Ghibaudo and Jaden Weekes (UK) 6-3
- Martin Breysach and Charlelie Cosnet (UK) def. Jean-Karim Olivier de Sardan and Thomas Nelson (ODU) 6-4
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (3,6,5)