Alabama’s Filip Planinsek made program history Saturday, recording the Crimson Tide’s first-ever NCAA title in addition to claiming the school’s first-ever singles crown between the men’s and women’s tennis programs. No. 29 Planinsek posted a thrilling 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2 come-from-behind win against No. 23 Michael Zheng (Columbia) to capture the victory and take his spot atop the NCAA.
“He developed his own practice plan,” head coach George Husack said. “He said what he wanted to do every day; we just followed his script, and then we were all around him, supporting him… But when someone is taking ownership of their own path, they have to lead themselves first before they can lead anyone else. We want them (the student-athletes) to get to the water and drink. You know, that’s the common, famous phrase but they will not drink unless they own it themselves.
“That’s what I’m proud of most with Filip during the course of his last three years and certainly this week. He learned how to execute under a lot of pressure. He’s learned how to continue doing the same things, as boring as it may be. He’s been willing to do all these things. And like I said yesterday, he’s a tennis junkie so if he loves it, you got to dive in the pool. You got to drink and soak it up, and he has a lot of room to go.”
Planinsek’s historic run to the national crown included wins over five consecutive top-25 ranked singles players. In addition to downing Zheng in the finals, he defeated No. 17 Cannon Kinglsey (Ohio State) in the Round of 32, No. 5 Micah Braswell (Texas) in the Round of 16, No. 15 Cooper Williams (Harvard) in the quarterfinals and No. 9 Ozan Baris (Michigan State) in the semifinals. He also topped No. 118 Jonas Hartenstein (North Florida) in the opening match.
Earlier in the tournament, Planinsek earned All-America honors for reaching the Round of 16, becoming the eighth player in program history to achieve the feat in singles. Additionally, his season was highlighted by a 27-13 overall record, First Team All-Southeastern Conference honors, his second ITA Southern Regional Doubles title and a national ranking in 18 consecutive ITA singles polls.
“I just felt that I can win the next two sets,” Planinsek said after dropping the opening set in a tiebreaker. “I was confident of that, and I broke quite early in the second set and then momentum started building. I started building my game. I started being more aggressive.
“I mean, just all that thanks to the coaches, the staff, Katie (Wheeler – athletic trainer), just amazing. I mean, I can’t thank them enough. My family, I’m just thrilled.”
The Match
- Michael Zheng found the first advantage, recording a break in game five of the opening set to take a 3-2 lead
- After trailing 40-15 in game eight, Planinsek recorded three straight points to capture his first break and tie the set at 4-4
- After both a 5-5 and 6-6 tie, Zheng won the opening set off a 7-4 score in the tiebreak
- Planinsek found an early advantage in the second set, breaking the fifth game for a 3-2 lead
- He would capture his second break in game nine, winning four straight points for a 6-3 victory
- Planinsek launched out of a 1-1 tie in the third, winning three consecutive games to move ahead 4-1 in the final set
- Zheng would win game six, but it would be his last as Planinsek seized the last two games and secured the title
Planinsek’s Tournament Results
- Finals | No. 29 Filip Planinsek (UA) def. No. 23 Michael Zheng (Columbia) 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2
- Semifinals | No. 29 Filip Planinsek (UA) def. No. 9 Ozan Baris (Michigan State) 7-5, 5-7, 7-6(6)
- Quarterfinals | No. 29 Filip Planinsek (UA) def. No. 15 Cooper Williams (Harvard) 6-4, 1-6, 6-4
- Round of 16 | No. 29 Filip Planinsek (UA) def. No. 5 Micah Braswell (Texas) 6-4, 6-4
- Round of 32 | No. 29 Filip Planinsek (UA) def. No. 17 Cannon Kingsley (Ohio State) 7-6(5), 6-1
- Round of 64 | No. 29 Filip Planinsek (UA) def. No. 118 Jonas Hartenstein (North Florida) 6-2, 6-1
** This information was acquired from a recent press release from Alabama Athletics. *
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