After a 4-0 sweep last week and after securing a spot in the 2026 ITA National Indoor tournament, No. 23 Florida looked to keep its momentum rolling. However, it ran into a wagon: No. 6 Mississippi State.
Ultimately, the Bulldogs (7-0), who showcased the aggressive playstyle that has made them one of the top teams in the nation, eliminated the Gators (4-3) from the tournament after a 4-1 landslide victory.
However, the Gators did get one point, and it was earned by junior Henry Jefferson. While his doubles match went unfinished, the match ended in Florida’s favor, 5-4, thanks to Jefferson’s strong returns and a crucial ace.
The Englishman rode the strong start into singles play, where he battled well with the ITA-ranked sixth player, Bulldog senior Petar Jovanovic. Jefferson took the first set 6-3, but then fell in the second with the same score.
In the third set, Jefferson, who sits at No. 50 in the ITA singles rankings, outperformed Jovanovic and won the third set 6-2.
The same could not be said of his doubles partner, senior Lorenzo Claverie, who was the first Gator defeated. He fell 6-4 in both sets to No. 33 Bulldog senior Mario Martinez Serrano.
In the aforementioned doubles portion, UF was quickly outmatched and swept aside, 6-1 and 6-4.
With the lead secured, Mississippi State applied relentless pressure from there on. The singles matches started with Florida clinging to hope, but as the games went on, that very hope vanished.
UF junior Kevin Endengren, who recorded his first singles win of the season last week, could not extend his streak, falling 6-2, 6-4 to Roberto Ferrer Guimaraes.
Quickly down 3-0, the four remaining matches featured UF trying to fight back.
Unfortunately for freshman Andreas Timini, he felt most of the weight, as his match was the only remaining one not to go to a crucial third set.
Since he lost 7-5 and 6-3, Mississippi State won its game-deciding fourth point.
Spanish senior Pablo Perez Ramos could not extend his successful singles record as his match was abandoned. He lost 6-4 in the first set and bounced back for a 7-5 win in the next.
Similarly, junior Adhithya Ganesan did not finish his match with the final score reading 6-3, 2-6, 1-3.
The new-look Florida Gators team, composed of young talent spanning the globe, had its sights set on the championship but, once again, its run was cut short.
While they will not get a chance to compete for the championship, they still get to battle in the back draw third consolation round. Florida will face Clemson at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14, at the SMU host site in Dallas.
Contact Ethan Feinberg at efeinberg@alligator.org. Follow him on X @thefeinline.
Ethan Feinberg is a senior sports journalism student and the Spring 2026 men’s tennis reporter. He has previously written stories and produced audio sessions for WRUF, covering high school football. Ethan enjoys watching and playing sports like football and basketball, working out, fishing, cooking, and having a good laugh with his friends and family. His favorite sports teams are the New England Patriots, Miami Heat, Florida Panthers, and the Miami Marlins. (Drake "Drake Maye" Maye is the GOAT.)
