MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin men’s tennis team (1-20, 0-8 B1G) lost to Penn State (5-18, 1-7 B1G), 4-3, in its match Friday, Apr. 19 in a close one at Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
Playing outside for the first time this season, Wisconsin was ready to go to battle with Penn State. Despite having to forfeit the No. 3 doubles, the Badgers refused to let that impact their play and ended up taking the doubles point. Match No. 2 finished up first, with Matthew Fullerton/Tomas Zlatohlavek winning 6-3 to Penn State’s Nolan Ranger/Jack Martuccio. The team led most of the match, and closed out strong to win, marking the pair’s first win together. With one match remaining, Gabriel Huber and Michael Minasyan were entrenched in a close battle with Miko Eala/Stefan Simeunovic at the No. 1 match. The teams exchanged points, but once Wisconsin forced game seven, it was all over for the Nittany Lions. After trailing or being tied for the entirety of the match, the Badgers persisted through the seventh game to take the win and deliver their team the doubles point.
Up next in singles play, Tomas Zlatohlavek made quick work of opponent Nolan Ranger. The Wisconsin freshman took match No. 3, 6-1, 6-3 in dominant fashion and was the first match of the afternoon to wrap up. Matthew Fullerton followed suit, taking a 6-1, 6-2 win against opponent Ari Cotoulas at match No. 4. Up 3-1, the Badgers lost the next two matches. Michael Minasyan was defeated by No. 79 Miko Eala, 6-0, 6-3 at match No. 1 and Gabriel Huber then fell to opponent Stefan Simeunovic, 6-3, 6-2. The match came down to Collin Beduhn and Jack Martuccio at match No. 5. The first set was a close one, with Martuccio taking it 7-6 after winning the tiebreak 7-5. In the end, the match belonged to the Nittany Lions, with a final score of 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.
Up Next: The Badgers return home to Nielsen Tennis Stadium for Senior Day and its final regular-season match of 2024. Wisconsin will face No. 1 Ohio State on Sunday, Apr. 21, and first serve will take place at noon.
Penn State University 4, University of Wisconsin 3
Singles Results
1. No. 79 Miko Eala (PSU) def. Michael Minasyan (WIS) 6-0, 6-3
2. Stefan Simeunovic (PSU) def. Gabriel Huber (WIS) 6-3, 6-2
3. Tomas Zlatohlavek (WIS) def. Nolan Ranger (PSU) 6-1, 6-3
4. Matthew Fullerton (WIS) def. Ari Cotoulas (PSU) 6-1,…
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