No. 6 Kentucky men's tennis keeps win streak rolling on the road

An Alabama road trip began with a bang as No. 6 Kentucky men’s tennis defeated the No. 22 Auburn Tigers 4-3 on Thursday afternoon. The Wildcats are starting to catch fire, now winners of their last four. With the win over Auburn, Kentucky moves to 16-2 (4-1) after they began conference play with a loss against South Carolina.

Kentucky kept up the dominant doubles play on the road. With Alabama on the docket this weekend for the Wildcats, UK picked up its fifth-ranked win of the season against Auburn.

The ‘Cats started off hot against the Tigers and kept the momentum going throughout the match. Auburn was able to pick up some victories during singles play, but it wasn’t enough with Kentucky ultimately squeaking by.

Stack the points!

Liam Draxl and Jaden Weekes got the ball rolling on court three with a 6-3 win. The hot streak only continues to improve for Weekes, who won SEC Freshman of the Week a few days prior. Alafia Ayeni and Taha Baadi continued their consistent roll as the No. 1 doubles pairing. The Kentucky combo defeated Auburn’s first singles duo 6-4.

𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐈𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐇

1️⃣Ayeni/Baadi✅6-4
2️⃣No. 56 Lapadat/Mercer↔️5-5 (unfinished)
3️⃣Draxl/Weekes✅6-3

📊 https://t.co/FJsKTdEvyj
📽️https://t.co/GvjTTE7QV5
📺https://t.co/pRMqC2HQo1 (@CrackedRacquets)#WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/5cmQsvmsVN

— Kentucky Men's Tennis (@UKMensTennis) March 16, 2023

Then came Kentucky’s signature trick, singles action. ITA All-American Draxl won quickly and easily as the one-on-one battles commenced. Draxl won in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 to give the ‘Cats a 2-0 lead in the overall match. Baadi was then beaten 7-5, 6-4 as Auburn cut Kentucky’s lead in half.

Ayeni immediately covered for his doubles partner with a 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-2 win. The ‘Cats restored their lead in Ayeni’s three-set dub. His volley at the net to end the match was something to marvel at and admire. This man’s abilities on all ends of the court are indescribable.

𝐋𝐀𝐅 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐍

😼3, 🐯1
1️⃣No. 23 Draxl✅6-3, 4-1
2️⃣No. 28 Ayeni✅6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-2
3️⃣No. 47 Lapadat⬆️6-4, 5-7, 0-0
4️⃣No. 102 Baadi❌5-7, 4-6
5️⃣Weekes⬆️4-6, 6-3, 5-4
6️⃣No. 112 Cosnet⬇️1-6, 6-4, 4-5#WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/FIACvlyZLZ

— Kentucky Men's Tennis (@UKMensTennis) March 16, 2023

Charlelie Cosnet lost a three-set affair after Ayeni’s match and the overall match score was 3-2 with the road ‘Cats in the lead. Next up for Kentucky was the man who’s arguably had the best week of the bunch. Enter, Mr. Weekes.

Weekes dropped the first set 6-4, but then rallied in a hurry to win the last two sets of the match. The freshman won his second and third sets 6-3, 6-4 as the ‘Cats had secured a victory, reaching four points first.

A so-so ending

Kentucky ended up losing its final match of the night with Joshua Lapadat falling in three sets to Auburn’s Alejandro Moreno. The score of the night would finish at 4-3 for the road ‘Cats as a fourth-straight SEC win was snatched.

The Wildcats don’t have to move states as a matchup with the Crimson Tide awaits on Saturday afternoon. The Tide recently defeated Florida 4-3, which Kentucky has already beaten this season. Expect a competitive showing from Alabama as the ‘Cats come into Tuscaloosa playing some of their best tennis of the year. Time to extend that win streak.