State's Combette Earns SEC Player Of The Week Honors
May 25, 2016 | Men's Tennis
Combette, a junior, went 3-1 in singles and doubles in those two contests. His two singles wins were both impressive upsets, as he posted a 6-0, 6-3 win over Alabama's 78th-ranked Chris Gostek and a 6-2, 6-0 triumph against Auburn's 29th-ranked Tiago Ruffoni. He also went 1-1 with partner Romain Ambert, the loss marking the first dual match loss ever for the duo.
The Ajaccio, Corsica, native, is 9-3 in singles and 10-2 in doubles in team competition thus far this year. He has won nine of his last 11 singles dual matches, with all nine victories coming in straight sets. His last three victories have all come over nationally-ranked opponents.
Combette, who has been ranked as high as 24th nationally during his career, struggled through last spring and fall with injuries, and fell completely out of the national poll earlier this spring. Now looking to be back at full strength, he climbed back into mix Wednesday, coming in at No. 75 in the country in the latest Omni Hotels Collegiate Rankings.
"This is a very big honor for Rene," MSU head coach Sylvain Guichard said. "It is very hard to earn this award, especially playing at the No. 2 position. Rene had a great weekend and certainly deserves this recognition. It is good to see him back playing the way he is capable of playing."
Combette is the third Bulldog ever to earn the SEC's weekly award since the league initiated it for the sport of tennis in 2000. Three-time, all-American Marco Baron (twice in 2001) and four-year star Jeremy Bayon (once in 2000) have also each earned the distinction.
