Arkansas’ rally falls short against No. 18 Georgia at SEC

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Arkansas’ rally fell short Thursday night, falling, 4-2, to eighth-seeded and 18th-ranked Georgia in its first match of the SEC Tournament.

Georgia got out to an early 1-0 lead, as the Bulldogs won courts two and three in doubles. Georgia’s Alex Diaz and Emil Reinberg defeated Josh Howard-Tripp and Alex Reco 6-4, before the Bulldogs would clinch the point with a 6-3 win by No. 52 Wayne Montgomery and Walker Duncan over brothers Pedro and Jose Alonso.

At the clinch, No. 47 Oscar Mesquida and Adam Sanjurjo trailed No. 33 Robert Loeb and Jan Zielinski 5-4.

The Bulldogs took a 2-0 advantage, as No, 93 Nathan Ponwith defeated Howard-Tripp in two sets 6-1, 6-2.

Reco defeated Loeb 6-4, 6-3 on court five to pull Arkansas within one at 2-1, as the freshman improved to 12-7 this spring, extending his winning streak to three straight matches.

Georgia took the first set on four courts but Arkansas was able to fight back and force a third set on three of those.

After losing 6-4 in the first set, Pedro Alonso took the second set 6-4 from Diaz, forcing a third set where the Bulldog would defeat Alonso 6-3 and extend Georgia’s lead to 3-1.

Arkansas would respond with a 7-6, 7-6 win by No. 21 Salazar over No. 33 Montgomery to make it 3-2 Georgia.

Salazar improved to a team-best 18-6 this spring, including an 9-4 record against ranked competition.

The Tenerife, Spain, native has won nine of his last 10 matches, including seven of the last eight against ranked opponents.

Georgia was able to close things out and secure the victory with a win on court three by No. 64 Reinberg.

Sanjurjo fought back to force a third set but ultimately fell 6-4, 2-6, 7-6, giving the Bulldogs the win. At the clinch, Mesquida led No. 39 Zielinski 3-6, 7-6, 6-5.

No. 8 Georgia 4, No. 9 Arkansas 2

Singles Results – Order of finish (4,5,6,1,3)
1. #21 Jose Salazar (AR) def. #33 Wayne Montgomery (UGA) 7-6, 7-6
2. Oscar Mesquida (AR) vs. #39 Jan Zielinski (UGA) 3-6, 7-6 ,6-5
3.#64 Emil Reinberg (UGA) def. Adam Sanjurjo (AR) 6-4, 2-6, 7-6
4. #93 Nathan Ponwith (UGA) def. Josh Howard-Tripp (AR) 6-1, 6-2
5. Alex Reco (AR) def. Robert Loeb (UGA) 6-4, 6-3
6. Alex Diaz (UGA) def. Pedro Alonso (AR) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3

Doubles Results – Order of finish (2,3)
1. #33 Robert Loeb/Jan Zielinski (UGA) vs. #47 Oscar Mesquida/Adam Sanjurjo (AR) 5-4
2. Alex Diaz/Emil Reinberg (UGA) def. Josh Howard-Tripp/Alex Reco (AR) 6-4
3. #52 Wayne Montgomery/Walker Duncan (UGA) def. Pedro Alonso/Jose Alonso (AR) 6-3