URBANA, Ill. – No. 11 Fighting Illini men’s tennis lost to No. 1 Ohio State, 4-1, at Atkins Tennis Center Wednesday evening.
“Atkins Tennis Center is an exhilarating place to play, so big credit to Ohio State,” head coach Brad Dancer said. “They beat us at two really good spots in doubles and that helped propel them into singles. Whether we’re walking away with a win or a loss tonight, we still got an awesome opportunity on Sunday with No. 7 Arizona coming here.
The turnaround is critical and we look forward to all the people who will come to support us and make a tremendous atmosphere.”
Doubles started when Lucas Horve and Oliver Okonkwo took a 6-1 loss from Robert Cash and Justin Boulais. No. 3 Karlis Ozolins and Hunter Heck came back, however, and beat Cannon Kingsley and JJ Tracy, 6-1. Ohio State took the doubles point with Jack Anthrop and Alexander Bernard taking a 6-2 win over Mathis Debru and Kenta Miysohi.
After only one of three first-set tie breaks ending in Illinois’ favor, No. 30 Ozolins defeated No. 32 Justin Boulais 7-6 (2), 6-0 to give the Illini their lone point.
Up Next
Illinois is set for another top-10 matchup when it hosts No. 7 Arizona on Sunday at 2 p.m. CT at Atkins Tennis Center.
Results
Doubles competition
1. #3 Karlis Ozolins/Hunter Heck (ILL) def. Cannon Kingsley/JJ Tracy (OSU) 6-1
2. Robert Cash/Justin Boulais (OSU) def. #57 Lucas Horve/Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) 6-1
3. Jack…
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