GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Denver upset No. 15 Florida in its first round match at the NCAA Tournament, 4-3.
The No. 6 court ended up being the deciding match between Florida’s Billy Federhofer and Denver’s Alex Clinkenbeard. Clinkenbeard won the first set, 7-5, but stumbled in the second set, 1-6. Clinkenbeard surged back to clinch the Pioneers win in the third set, 6-1.
Denver started singles play down a point after dropping matches on the No. 1 and 3 courts.
Florida’s Gordon Watson defeated Denver’s Fabio Biasion on the No. 6 court, 2-6, 1-6, to put the Gators up 2-0. The Pioneers pulled to within one with a win on the No. 1 singles court. No. 59 Enej Bonin scored a win over No. 52 Stephane Piro, 6-4, 6-3.
Florida climbed back to a 3-1 lead with the completion of play on the No. 3 singles court. DU’s Henry Craig fell to Florida’s Mike Alford, 2-6, 5-7.
Denver climbed back to even with consecutive wins on the No. 2 and No. 3 courts. Jens Vorkefeld earned a point for the Pioneers on the No. 2 court with a victory over No. 72 Florent Diep, 7-6(4), 6-3. Henry Craig made the match 3-3, with his victory over No. 111 Bob van Overbeek, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Denver will stay in Gainesville and will face California on Saturday, May. 11 at 4 p.m. ET. The Golden Bears advanced with a win over Florida State, 4-1.