AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn matched its best SEC start in program history Friday as the eight-ranked Tigers took care of No. 33 Arkansas 6-1 at the Yarbrough Tennis Center.
The Tigers (15-2, 6-0 SEC) equaled the SEC start of the 1993 Auburn team, which also began conference play at 6-0. Auburn also remained unbeaten at home this season at 9-0, fighting through tough conditions on a windy afternoon on the Plains.
"Unfavorable conditions always favor Auburn," associate head coach Megan Falcon said. "We set a tone in doubles with our professionalism in responding to misses. Our responses allowed us to pursue the style of tennis we want to play. We are proud of the effort and composure our team competes with."
Doubles were a quick affair as the Tigers sprinted to a 1-0 lead. Georgie Axon and Adeline Flach, who were unable to finish both their matches last weekend, took care of business quickly with a 6-1 win on court 2. Carolyn Ansari and Madeline Meredith followed shortly thereafter with a 6-1 victory of their own on court 3 to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. Selin Ovunc and Ariana Arseneault were leading 4-3 at the top spot when the point was clinched.
Yu Chen put the Tigers ahead 2-0 with a brisk 6-1, 6-1 win over Laura Rijkers at the No. 6 singles spot. Arkansas would get on the board as Tatum Rice earned a 6-2, 6-3 win at the top spot over Ovunc, but the Tigers would not yield another point.
Ansari, ranked 81st in this week's ITA release, won in straight sets over Indianna Spink, 6-2, 6-3, to push the Tigers' lead to 3-1. No. 59 Arseneault would provide the clinching point as she came from behind in the second set for a 6-3, 7-6 (2) win over Kelly Keller on court two.
With the match clinched, Axon fought back from dropping the first set to earn a 4-6, 7-6 (3), 1-0 (8) win at the No. 5 spot, and Flach finished off the day with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over Lenka Stara on court four.
Auburn will finish off the weekend Sunday as they host Missouri at noon. Admission is free to all home Auburn tennis matches at the Yarbrough Tennis Center.
For the latest on Auburn women's tennis, follow @AuburnWTennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
#8 Auburn 6, #33 Arkansas 1
Singles
1. Tatum Rice (ARK) def. #65 Selin Ovunc (AU), 6-2, 6-3
2. #59 Ariana Arseneault (AU) def. Kelly Keller (ARK), 6-3, 7-6 (2)
3. #81 Carolyn Ansari (AU) def. Indianna Spink (ARK), 6-2, 6-3
4. Adeline Flach (AU) def. Lenka Stara (ARK), 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
5. Georgie Axon (AU) def. Morgan Cross (ARK), 4-6, 7-6 (3), 1-0 (8)
6. Yu Chen (AU) def. Laura Rijkers (ARK), 6-1, 6-1
Order of finish: 6, 1, 3, 2, 5, 4
Doubles
1. #22 Ovunc/Arseneault (AU) vs. #53 Rice/Cross (ARK), 4-3 unfinished
2. Axon/Flach (AU) def. Stara/Rijkers (ARK), 6-1
3. Ansari/Meredith (AU) def. Keller/Spink (ARK), 6-1
Order of finish: 2, 3