Sunday, 02/07/2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Senior Saketh Myneni was named SEC Men’s Tennis Player of the Week on Wednesday, Feb. 3 for his performances last weekend against No. 23 Arizona and No. 18 Duke. Myneni won both of his singles matches on the weekend, picking up two wins against nationally ranked opponents.

 

“It's a great honor for Saketh to be recognized as the SEC Player of the Week,” said head coach Billy Pate. “There were a lot of closely-contested matches among all the SEC teams this past weekend, so he really had to distinguish himself.  After having an injury-plagued fall, it was a huge boost for our team to have him regain his form and come through with the deciding point against a very good player from Duke."

 

Myneni was instrumental in both Crimson Tide wins. He teamed up with sophomore Michael Davis to provide a win at the No. 1 position, which clinched the doubles point against Arizona. Myneni then cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 victory over the Wildcats’ Jason Zafiros, who is ranked No. 113 nationally.

 

Myneni and Davis could not pick up a doubles win against Duke, but he bounced back in singles action. Facing No. 17 Henrique Cunha, Myneni was able to fight back from being down an early break to take the first set 7-6(2). He raced out to a 3-0 lead in the second set, serving it out at 5-4 to record his second straight sets victory over a nationally ranked opponent in as many days. His win over Cunha was the clinching match for Alabama, giving the team a bid to the ITA National Indoor Championships in Charlottesville, Va. Feb. 12-15.

 

Myneni and the rest of the Tide will be in action next on Sunday, Feb. 7 when the Tulane Green Wave visits the University of Alabama Tennis Stadium. The match is set to being at 1:00 p.m. (CST).