No. 35 Clemson Rallies Past No. 38 Texas Tech for Third at Blue Gray

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The 35th-ranked Clemson men’s tennis team overcame weather, a venue change and 38th-ranked Texas Tech to take third place at the prestigious Blue Gray Classic Sunday afternoon in Birmingham. The Tigers rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3. Clemson improves to 7-5 on the season with the win, while Texas Tech falls to 11-4.

The match was relocated due to weather, and the singles competition was played first. Clemson found itself down 3-0 after Texas Tech wins at No. 1, No. 3 and No. 4 singles, but the Tigers came roaring back to tie the match at three and force doubles play. Luke Johnson, Alejandro Augusto and Daffra Sanon each won gutsy victories in their singles slots. 

In the doubles portion, Clemson jumped out with momentum from the rousing singles victories and never looked back. The Tiger duo of Christian Harris and Hampton Drake won 6-3 in the No. 2 slot and the team of Austin Ansari and Augusto clinched the match with a win at No. 3 doubles, 6-2. 

“We have a great deal of respect for Texas Tech’s program,” Clemson assistant coach John Boetsch said. “Their coaches and players are first class, and are great competitors. This was a huge comeback win for us. We talked to the guys about being gritty and stepping up and that is exactly what they did today. It was a great team win and one that will give us confidence as we move into the ACC schedule.”

Clemson has next weekend off. The Tigers host Georgia Tech in their ACC home-opener on Friday, March 6 at 6 p.m.

#35 Clemson 4, #38 Texas Tech 3

SINGLES

1. #35 Felipe Soares (TTU) def. #90 Hunter Harrington (CU) 6-3, 6-4
2. Alejandro Augusto (CU) def. #111 Hugo Dojas (TTU) 6-4, 3-6, 7-6
3. Alex Sendegeya (TTU) def. Hampton Drake (CU) 1-6, 6-0, 6-4
4. #125 Jolan Cailleau (TTU) def. Austin Ansari (CU) 6-3, 6-4
5. Daffra Sanon (CU) def. Francisco Zambon (TTU) 6-4, 5-7, 6-2
6. Luke Johnson (CU) def. Connor Curry (TTU) 7-6, 6-3

Order of finish: 1, 3, 4, 6, 2, 5

DOUBLES

1. Hunter Harrington/Luke Johnson (CU) led #22 Felipe Soares/Hugo Dojas (TTU) 4-3, DNF
2. Hampton Drake/Christian Harris (CU) def. Francisco Zambon/Jolan Cailleau (TTU) 6-3
3. Austin Ansari/Alejandro Augusto (CU) def. Connor Curry/Alex Sendegeya (TTU) 6-2

Order of finish: 2, 3