Feb. 16, 2002

TUSCALOOSA, ALA. - The 26th ranked University of Alabama men's tennis team defeated the 56th ranked Clemson Tigers 5-2 Friday night at the Hank Crisp Indoor Tennis Facility. With the loss, Clemson falls to 3-3 on the season.

Doubles action saw three tough matches take place. In first doubles, No. 42 Max Belski and Stephen Mitchell of Alabama beat Marko Gojanovic and Nathan Thompson, 8-3. Nick Beuque and Brad Friedman clinched the doubles point for the Tide, defeating Damiisa Robinson and Goran Sterijowski, 9-8(6) in third doubles.

The Tide (4-2) continued their strong play in singles action, but Clemson held strong at the five and six positions. Beuque defeated Sterijowski 6-2, 6-1 at the four position. Then, at the two spot, No. 96 Gostek beat Jamin Thompson 6-4, 6-2. Belski, ranked 36th, clinched the match for Alabama, defeating Gojanovic 6-3, 6-4. In third singles, Mitchell beat Micah Thompson 6-2, 7-6(4). The Tigers then made a late large and got on the board by picking up the last two points. Koning defeated Michael Ray Pallares at six singles in straight sets 6-1, 6-1, and freshman Nathan Thompson beat Chris McRae at fifth singles 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. With the win, Nathan Thompson improved his dual singles record to 5-1 on the year.

ALABAMA 5, CLEMSON 2

Doubles
1. #42 Belski/Mitchell (UA) d. Gojanovic/N. Thompson (CU) 8-3
2. Boyles/Gostek (UA) d. Koning/M. Thompson (CU) 9-7
3. Beuque/Friedman (UA) d. Robinson/Sterijowski (CU) 9-8(6)

Singles
1. #36 Max Belski (UA) d. Marko Gojanovic (CU) 6-3, 6-4
2. #96 Chris Gostek (UA) d. Jamin Thompson (CU) 6-4, 6-2
3. Stephen Mitchell (UA) d. Micah Thompson (CU) 6-2, 7-6(4)
4. Nick Beuque (UA) d. Goran Sterijowski (CU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Nathan Thompson (CU) d. Chris McRae (UA) 2-6, 6-3, 6-3
6. Sander Koning (CU) d. Michael Ray Pallares (UA) 6-1, 6-1