FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - A recent hot streak by the University of Arkansas men's tennis team has helped the Razorbacks climb to No. 25 in the newest Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings released on Wednesday.
After a rough stretch where the Hogs dropped four of six matches, all by 4-3 scores to ranked teams, Arkansas has won three straight, all over ranked teams, to improve to 15-7.
Prior to the three-match winning streak, head coach Robert Cox's club was ranked No. 37, but wins over then-No. 22 South Carolina, 4-3, and No. 22 Alabama, 4-3, have pushed the Hogs into the top 25. UA should climb even higher following Tuesday's 4-2 victory over No. 17 Auburn, which isn't factored into the current rankings.
"I am so proud of the guys," Cox says. "We have come a long way this year and learned so much about ourselves. Our ranking should improve even more when all the computer points kick in."
Senior All-American Oskar Johansson is still the top-rated collegian in the nation in the ITA's latest singles rankings as of April 6. Johansson won Tuesday to raise his record to 26-8.
Senior Henrik Tofft, who did not play in the fall semester, is 12-12 this spring and is ranked No. 79.
While Johansson and Tofft have anchored the No. 1 and No. 2 singles spots, respectively, they've had plenty of help. Four other Razorbacks have 20 or more wins this year, including sophomore Aleksey Bubis (26-9), and juniors Oggie Kolev (23-11), Tiago Azevedo (21-12) and Magnus Kullenberg (21-12).
Arkansas's 15 victories are the most for the Hogs since going 15-11 in 1994. One more win gives the Razorbacks their highest victory total since finishing 18-8 in 1991.
UA is 7-7 against ranked teams this year and the Razorbacks close the regular season Sunday against another one, at No. 27 Kentucky. The Hogs go back to Lexington for the Southeastern Conference Tournament April 19-22.
All 11 members of the SEC are nationally ranked with 10 of the 12 in the top 30. South Carolina is No. 31 and Vanderbilt No. 46. Intercollegiate Tennis Association Men's Rankings (as of April 11)
