MADISON, Wis. — After going 1-1 on the road last weekend, the Wisconsin men’s tennis team is back at Nielsen Tennis Stadium for a pair of non-conference matches this weekend. UW hosts the Western Michigan Broncos Friday at 5:30 p.m. before hosting the Yale Bulldogs Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m.
Here are five things you should know before this weekend:
1. DOUBLE TROUBLE: Four matches into the season, the Badgers doubles play continues to be dominant. Wisconsin is undefeated for the doubles point so far this season, and hopes to continue that streak this weekend. Against Virginia Tech, Robin Parts and Sebastian Vile at No. 2 doubles was able to clinch the point for Wisconsin with an exciting 7-6 (4) tiebreaker win. Jared Pratt and Jason Hildebrandt were the only pair to go 2-0 on the weekend, coming out with a 6-3 win over Virginia Tech at No. 3 doubles and a dominant 6-1 victory over Old Dominion at the same spot. At No. 1 doubles against Old Dominion, Michael Minasyan and Gabriel Huber were able to secure the point after a 6-4 victory.
2. PRATT ON THE ATTACK: Graduate student Jared Pratt had an epic performance Saturday against Virginia Tech when he defeated the No. 35-ranked player in the country, Ryan Fishback, at No. 1 singles. His victory secured the fourth point that the Badgers needed to clinch the match for the team. In exciting fashion, Pratt delivered an impressive two-set victory, 6-4, 6-3, to do so. The win was the first of the season for Pratt after two close losses the week prior. Pratt has also been perfect in doubles play so far, going 4-0 with his partner Hildebrandt, contributing to every Badgers doubles point.
3. KNOW THE OPPONENTS: The Western Michigan Broncos are 3-1 heading into their weekend in Madison. They have swept half of their opponents so far this season, earning 7-0 wins against Butler and Illinois-Chicago their opening weekend. The Broncos last two matches were close ones, losing a 4-3 match at Notre Dame, and coming out on top of another 4-3 match at Purdue, both opponents the Badgers will face further on in the season. Last year, the Badgers were able to pull off a 4-3 win over the Broncos in Madison.
The Yale Bulldogs will be the second Ivy League matchup for the Badgers this season. The Bulldogs are undefeated this season with a perfect 3-0 record. They have dominated each…
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