Michigan State's Ozan Baris falls in 3rd-set tiebreaker in NCAA semi
After an incredible rally to stay alive, Ozan Baris appeared ready on Friday to advance to the national championship match.
But then it slipped away.
Alabama's Filip Planinsek staged an improbable rally of his own, down 5-2 in the third set tiebreaker, scoring five straight points to win the tiebreaker and the match, 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (6), in the NCAA Singles Championships in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Baris, a Michigan State sophomore and Okemos native, had rallied from being down a set and 5-3 in the second, saving one match point, before storming back to take the set, 7-5. He then seemed to be the fresher player for much of the third set and jumped out to a lead in the deciding tiebreaker. However, he was unable to convert on three match points as Planinsek charged back to win.
“Obviously the result isn’t what we wanted or what Ozan wanted, but just, what a warrior," MSU coach Harry Jadun said. "What a warrior. What a battle. Great match by Filip from Alabama. Both guys had match points and they ended up getting the last point of the match.”
Baris, who had the best season of any MSU player in history, was the first Spartan to ever reach the national semifinals. He'salso the first two-time All-American in MSU history.
“This whole tournament and this whole year was a coming-out party for Ozan," Jadun said. "He showed everybody that he’s one of the premier players in the country and he’s put Michigan State tennis on the map. While this will sting, Ozan has so much to be proud of and we’re lucky to have him as a Spartan."
— MSU Athletic Communications
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan State tennis: Ozan Baris falls in NCAA semifinal
