LOS ANGELES – The UCLA men’s tennis team was outlasted in its regular-season finale Saturday afternoon by No. 19 Utah for a 4-3 result at Los Angeles Tennis Center.
Taking his home courts for the final time was redshirt senior Patrick Zahraj, who was honored by head coach Billy Martin and the rest of the UCLA program following doubles play. Also recognized was Drew Baird. Zahraj finished the day with victories on the singles and doubles courts. Also triumphant for the Bruins (12-9, 3-5 Pac-12) on both were Zahraj’s doubles mate, Gianluca Ballotta. The Utes (21-3, 6-1) overcame a 2-0 deficit and singles wins by Bruno Caula, Geronimo Espin Busleiman and Patrick Trhac preceded the clincher by Francisco Bastias.
Thank you, seniors ????#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/2zsnlxlHQT
— UCLA Men’s Tennis (@uclatennis) April 23, 2023
Bastias and Caula gave the Utes an early advantage in doubles play, dispatching of Jeffrey Fradkin and Aadarsh Tripathi by a 6-3 score on Court 3. UCLA answered, however, with the top-60 matchup on Court 1 going the way of No. 60 Timothy Li and Giacomo Revelli. The Bruins bested No. 41 Trhac and Berk Bugarikj 6-4 for their third victory against a nationally-ranked opponent in four tries. Then, with the focus turned to Court 2, Ballotta and Zahraj sealed the doubles point for their first time as a combination with a 6-4 decision over Espin Busleiman and Franco Capalbo.
Ballotta who was stopped just short of a win on three straight occasions entering Saturday’s match, was first to finish. He downed Bugarikj 6-0, 6-4 on Court 5.
Utah got on the board when Caula…
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