TULSA, Okla. — Georgia moved closer to defending its NCAA championship by beating No. 1 Virginia 4-3 on Monday night in the NCAA semifinals.
Jamie Hunt defeated Sanam Singh 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 at No. 4 singles for the clinching point to give Virginia its first loss of the season.
Georgia will play Texas tonight in the final. Texas beat UCLA, 4-2, to advance.
Georgia (26-3) is seeking its sixth national title. The Bulldogs have never won back-to-back championships.
Virginia (32-1) won the doubles point before Georgia quickly regrouped in singles.
Luis Flores beat Dominic Inglot 6-2, 6-1, Nate Schnugg followed with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Treat Huey and Georgia took a 3-1 lead when Javier Garrapiz toppled Michael Shabaz 7-5, 6-3 at No. 5 singles.
Virginia pulled even at 3-3 when senior Somdev Devvarman edged Travis Helgeson 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 at No. 1 singles and Ted Angelinos took a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Christian Vitulli.
Hunt, a sophomore from San Antonio, ended a close team match with a third-set rout in his victory.