LEXINGTON, Ky. – Northwestern rallied past UCLA to claim a 4-2 win in the First Round of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Tennis Tournament at Boone Tennis Center in Lexington, Kentucky. The win marks Northwestern’s third straight season advancing to the NCAA Tournament Second Round.
The Wildcats came out of the gate hot, claiming the doubles point behind wins from Gleb Blekher/Ivan Yatsuk and Simen Bratholm/Steven Forman. Blekher/Yatsuk secured a 6-2 win at #2 Doubles, and Bratholm/Forman clinched the doubles point with a 6-2 win at #1 Doubles.
UCLA responded with wins on Courts 2 and 5 to take a 2-1 lead. Simen Bratholm evened the match at two apiece with a straight sets win. Bratholm defeated Aadarsh Tripathi (UCLA) 6-4, 6-2 at #3 Singles.
Another straight sets win, this time from Steven Forman, put the ‘Cats ahead 3-2. Forman defeated Patrick Zahraj (UCLA) 6-4, 6-3 at #1 Singles to put the ‘Cats on the doorstep.
After dropping the first set, Gleb Blekher roared back to win sets two and three, clinching the match for the ‘Cats. Blekher defeated Timothy Li (UCLA) 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 at #6 Singles to send Northwestern into the Second Round.
The Wildcats will face off with the winner of today’s match between Kentucky and Presbyterian in the Second Round at 12 p.m. CT on Saturday, May 6 at Boone Tennis Center in Lexington.
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For the third straight year, Northwestern is through to the #NCAATennis Second Round! pic.twitter.com/bYUsXV48G3
— Northwestern Men’s Tennis (@NUMensTennis) May 5, 2023
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