LEXINGTON, Ky. – Fighting Illini men’s tennis defeated Toledo, 4-1, Friday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Boone Tennis Center.
Illinois will face either No. 5-seed and host Kentucky or DePaul on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT in the Round of 32 for a chance to go to the Super Regionals.
“Congrats to Toledo on a great season,” head coach Brad Dancer said. “We’ve got some guys leading our energy. When you look at Mathis Debru and Kenta Miyoshi and their hunger to compete, it embodies the Fighting Illini spirit. Those two need to keep that fire and stay as hungry as possible. Okonkwo did a great job with his composure today as well.”
The Illini won the doubles point with wins from the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles pairs. First, Mathis Debru and Kenta Miyoshi defeated Adam Kovac and Charlie Snow, 6-1. No. 48-ranked Lucas Horve and Oliver Okonkwo followed by beating Hanamichi Carvajal and Poonthong Komolpisut, 6-2.
William Mroz kept the momentum going with a 7-6 (4), 6-1 win over Kovac. Okonkwo was second to finish, defeating Marko Galic, 7-6 (5), 6-3.
Following a Debru loss, No. 95-ranked Miyoshi clinched the match with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 victory over No. 65-ranked Pawit Sornlaksup.
Results
DOUBLES DRAWS
#12 Hunter Heck/Karlis Ozolins (ILL) vs. Marko Galic/Pawit Sornlaksup (TOL), 4-4 unf.
#48 Lucas Horve/Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) def. Hanamichi Carvajal/Poonthong Komolpisut (TOL), 6-2
Mathis Debru/Kenta Miyoshi (ILL) def. Adam Kovac and Charlie Snow (TOL), 6-1
SINGLES DRAWS
#95 Kenta Miyoshi (ILL) def. #65 Pawit Sornlaksup (TOL), 5-7, 6-2, 6-4
Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) def. Marko Galic (TOL) 7-6 (4), 6-3
Hanamichi Carvajal (TOL) def. Mathis Debru (ILL), 7-6 (6), 7-6 (7)
William Mroz (ILL) def. Adam Kovac (TOL) 7-6 (4), 6-1
Jeremy Zhang (ILL) vs. Poonthong Komolpisut (TOL), 4-6, unf.
Lucas Horve (ILL) vs. Matias Olivero (TOL), 3-4, unf.
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