Sooners Net 4-2 Win Over Texas Tech in Lubbock

Texas Tech

¹⁶ Oklahoma

NORMAN – No. 16 Oklahoma got back to its winning ways on Sunday evening, defeating Texas Tech 4-2 at McLeod Tennis Center in Lubbock, Texas, for its first Big 12 victory of the year.

The win marked the fifth time this season that head coach Nick Crowell's team has bounced back from dropping the doubles point to win the match.

After the Red Raiders notched the doubles point, the Sooners kept their energy and confidence alive for singles action. Each team took three first sets, but Oklahoma dominated the remainder of the match by taking five of six second sets along with a third-set victory.

"Tonight was just a great team effort," Crowell said. "Texas Tech played really well and I'm really happy for our guys. We won the big points and that made the difference.

Texas Tech doubled its advantage to 2-0 with the first win in singles at line four, but Oklahoma, especially its newcomers, responded well.

Freshman Adrian Oetzbach earned his second straight singles win with his 6-3, 6-4 victory at the No. 6 spot. Shortly after, freshman Arnaud Restifo took down Pyry Hyrkkonen in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2 to even up the contest at 2-2. The win was the Nice, France, native's first career win at No. 5 singles.

Oklahoma's reliable veterans finished the job for their team. Alex Ghilea, ranked No. 52 in the nation, defeated No. 66 Bjorn Thomson in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5, at the No. 2 spot to give Oklahoma its first lead of the day.

"Tonight was just a great team effort. Texas Tech played really well and I'm really happy for our guys. Tonight, we won the big points and that made the difference."
- Head Coach Nick Crowell

Ghilea's Romanian counterpart, Florin Bragusi, clinched the win and made it four straight singles wins on the day for OU with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory at line three over Connor Curry.

"Alex beat a guy today that hadn't lost much all year, and Flo (Bragusi) and Spencer (Papa) both battled back from a set down," Crowell said.

With their wins, Ghilea and Bragusi moved to 15-3 and 13-5 this year in dual play singles, respectively. Junior Spencer Papa, the 20th-ranked singles player in the nation, went unfinished at No. 1 singles against No. 35 Jolan Cailleau while leading his match 4-6, 7-5, 2-1 and serving.

The win over Tech pushed Oklahoma to 13-9 (1-3) in 2017, with seven of those wins coming over ranked opponents and all nine losses coming at the hands of top-25 foes.

Crowell went on, "I'm very proud of our guys and they are gaining confidence heading into the end of the season."

OU finds itself with just one regular season match remaining – Saturday, April 22 at 12:30 p.m. CT versus Oklahoma State. Bedlam will be played in Norman this year, and it will also be senior day for the Sooner veterans - Bragusi, Ghilea and Andrew Harris.

Bedlam won't be the final opportunity for Oklahoma's trio to play at the Headington Family Tennis Center though, as the Big 12 tournament will be held in Norman from April 28-30, the first time OU has hosted since 2013.

Tickets for Oklahoma-Oklahoma State will be free for all fans. For more information on Oklahoma men's tennis, follow the team on Twitter @OU_MTennis.

SINGLES RESULTS

1. #35 Jolan Cailleau (TT) vs. #20 Spencer Papa (OU) 6-4, 5-7, 1-2, unfinished
2. #52 Alex Ghilea (OU) def. #66 Bjorn Thomson (TT) 7-5, 7-5
3. #82 Florin Bragusi (OU) def. Connor Curry (TT) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
4. Alex Sendegeya (TT) def. Jochen Bertsch (OU) 6-1, 6-3
5. Arnaud Restifo (OU) def. Pyry Hyrkkonen (TT) 7-5, 6-2
6. Adrian Oetzbach (OU) def. Jackson Cobb (TT) 6-3, 6-4

DOUBLES RESULTS

1. #17 Connor Curry/Bjorn Thomson (TT) def. Jochen Bertsch/Spencer Papa (OU) 6-2
2. #61 Alex Ghilea/Florin Bragusi (OU) def. Jolan Cailleau/Carlos DiLaura (TT) 6-1
3. Jackson Cobb/Alex Sendegeya (TT) def. Adrian Oetzbach/Arnaud Restifo (OU) 6-4