TUSCALOOSA, Ala.  — The Wisconsin men's tennis team lost a close one to the Alabama on Friday night. The Badgers (5-2) fell to the Crimson Tide (7-1), 4-3. 

Wisconsin doubles play got back on track after dropping the point last week versus the Yale Bulldogs. Their sixth doubles point of the season got started off by the No. 21-ranked duo of Gabriel Huber and Michael Minasyan. The pair took down Alabama's Joao Ferreira and Filip Planinsek in an exciting 7-6 (7-1) tiebreaker at No. 1 doubles. 

Across the courts at doubles No. 3, Robin Parts and Sebastian Vile were in their own tiebreaker decision, all tied up 6-6. The senior duo ultimately pulled it off winning the back-and-forth tiebreaker 11-9 against Zach Foster and German Samofalov, putting the Badgers up 1-0 in the match over a tough Alabama opponent. 

In singles, Vile recorded the first singles win for Wisconsin. He posted an impressive two-set performance over his first ranked singles opponent of the season, No. 96 Roan Jones. Vile downed Jones 6-3, 6-1, keeping him undefeated in singles so far this season and his first at No. 3 singles. 

Huber increased the Badger lead to 3-1, pulling off a tough first set win over Matias Ponce De Leon, 7-5. Huber quickly sealed the deal with a 6-2 second set victory at No. 4 singles. 

Alabama won singles matches at No. 1 and No. 2 to tie the match at 3-3. The match came down to No. 6 singles where Robin Parts was edged by Yair Sarouk, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.

Straight from the Court
Head Coach Danny Westerman
"Hard fought match today and we left it all out there on the court. Incredible opening doubles point with all matches in tiebreakers. Then a 3 all dual match with a third set to play for the team win. All you can ask for against a good SEC opponent on the road. Congrats to Alabama, they were one point better than us today. Proud of the fight in our team and if we keep playing like this, we will win plenty of matches."

Up Next
The Badgers continue their weekend against SEC competition when they travel to Auburn, Alabama, to take on the Auburn Tigers on Sunday at noon. 

Alabama 4, Wisconsin 3

Singles Results
1. FIlip Planinsek (UA) def. Jared Pratt (WIS) 7-6 (7-5), 6-4
2. #35 Enzo Aguiard (UA) def. Jason Hildebrandt (WIS) 7-5, 6-2
3. Sebastian Vile (WIS) def. #96 Roan Jones (UA)  6-3, 6-1
4. Gabriel Huber (WIS) def. Matias Ponce De Leon (UA) 7-5, 6-2
5. German Samofalov (UA) def. Michael Minasyan (WIS) 6-3, 6-4
6. Yair Sarouk (UA) def. Robin Parts (WIS) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4

Doubles Results
1. #21 Gabriel Huber/Michael Minasyan (WIS) def. Joao Ferreira/Filip Planinsek (UA) 7-6 (7-1)
2. Jason Hildebrandt/Jared Pratt (WIS) vs. Enzo Aguiard/Yair Sarouk (UA) 6-6
3. Robin Parts/Sebastian Vile (WIS) def. Zach Foster/German Samofalov (UA) 7-6 (11-9)

Order of finish: Doubles (1, 3); Singles (3, 5, 4, 2, 1, 6)