[4] Illinois Men’s Tennis Set to Face [5] Nebraska in Big Ten Tournament

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – No. 4-seeded Illinois men’s tennis will compete against No. 5-seeded Nebraska on Friday to begin postseason play. 

The Illini and Cornhuskers will face off at 11 a.m. CT at the Combe Tennis Center in Evanston, Ill.   

With a win, Illinois would move on to play No. 1-seeded Ohio State at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday.

History

Illinois has the upper hand over Nebraska with a 12-1 overall head-to-head record. 

The first time the Illini and Cornhuskers competed was on March 2, 2012, when the Illini won, 6-1. The lone loss came on April 8, 2022, when Illinois lost in Lincoln, 4-2.

Illinois competed with Nebraska on April 5 in Lincoln, Neb., and defeated the Cornhuskers, 4-2. 

In the match between the Illini and Cornhuskers, Hunter Heck picked up a 6-1, 6-1 win over Anton Shepp, while Mathis Debru defeated Roni Hietaranta, 7-5, 6-2. William Mroz also took down Lars Johann, 7-6 (5), 6-3.

Scouting Report

The Cornhuskers are 4-1 since last seeing Illinois, picking up wins against Northwestern (6-1), Indiana (5-2), Purdue (5-2) and Penn State (7-0). The lone loss came against top-seeded Ohio State (6-1). 

Nebraska has Calvin Mueller ranked in the top 110 in the singles rankings, coming in at No. 80 in the most recent ITA Singles rankings.