SEATTLE – Washington kept its focus squarely on a tough Santa Clara squad, not daring to look ahead to a looming opportunity to host No. 3 Michigan on Sunday. The Dawgs took care of business, downing the Broncos by a 6-1 count at the Nordstrom Tennis Center, and now they can take their swings against the Wolverines after a day of rest tomorrow.
Head Coach Rahim Esmail said the Huskies were “very focused on today, but now that we’re through we can look into Sunday and start talking to them about Sunday.
“I’m looking forward to having one of the top teams in the country at our place, and getting to put our boys against them and see what we can do,” Esmail said. “But it’s a great opportunity for us to showcase what we’re trying to build here and what these guys have been doing so far this season. Looking forward to seeing how they compete on Sunday.”
48th-ranked Washington improved to 7-3 and won a third-straight match for the first time this season. The Huskies had a quick and efficient doubles point win and then took all first sets in singles, but then had to battle to put away the Broncos (6-4) in second or third sets.
“I’m proud of the way we competed and we’re starting to make the way we compete consistent, and that’s what I’m pleased with,” said Esmail. “We knew today was going to be tough and we had to compete hard. We had some very comfortable first sets across the board, but Santa Clara competed really hard early in the second sets and made things tough for us. (The Broncos) did a good job hanging and fighting, which is something they do well, and I think it’s something we’re also doing well at the moment. So it was a good test for us to continue to stay on top of things.
In doubles, the Huskies had 6-1 wins at both No. 2 and No. 3 to clinch the point. Brett Pearson and Nedim Suko won at two, and Jim Hendrikx and Han-Chih Lin had the win on court three.
In singles, Suko had a 6-2, 6-2 win on court four, then Pearson was a 6-0, 6-4 winner on six to put the Huskies up 3-0. Hendrikx closed things out against former Husky Jack Pulliam, getting a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 5 singles.
All ?? for J.P. but big Jim Hendrikx gets the win on four and clinches for the Dawgs!!
Huskies up, 4-0#GoHuskies pic.twitter.com/6LWZ2sSYXE
— Washington Men’s Tennis (@UW_MTennis) February 25, 2023
After the match was clinched, Lin finished a win at No. 1 singles over Arthur Neuhaus, winning the first set, 6-3, and taking the second in a tiebreak…
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