MADISON, Wisc. – A heartbreaking loss brought the 2022 Purdue men’s tennis season to an end on Thursday with a 4-3 defeat to Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament. The Boilermakers built a 3-0 lead early in singles play, only to fall in a third set tiebreak in the final singles match.
The Boilermakers jumped in front early with a doubles point. Michigan State picked up a 6-2 win at No. 3, before Purdue took over. Milledge Cossu and Michal Wozniak downed Reed Crocker and Nick Williams at No. 2, 6-3. Athell Bennett and Piotr Galus clinched the point with a 6-4 win over Jack Winkler and Graydon Lair at No. 1.
Athell Bennett cruised to a 6-2, 7-5 win over Jack Winkler at No. 1 to put Purdue ahead by two. Rohan Sachdev showed little hesitation in his for postseason match, ousting Graydon Lair 7-5, 6-2 at No. 4 to bring Purdue to the brink of victory.
The Spartans responded with a straight set win at No. 6 to get on the board for the first time. Michigan State added points at No. 3 and 5 through wins in three sets.
The match turned to Sebastian Welch and Max Sheldon at No. 2, where the latter outlasted the Purdue junior deep into a tiebreak to win 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(7).
Bennett’s win was the 87th of his singles career. The senior will leave Purdue as a three-time All-Big Ten honoree, taking second team honors this year, and the 2020 ITA National Most Improved Senior.
PURDUE (9-15) – 3, MICHIGAN STATE (15-13) – 4
Singles
1. Athell Bennett (PUR) def. Jack Winkler (MSU) – 6-2, 7-5
2. Max Sheldon (MSU) def. Sebastian Welch (PUR) – 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(7)
3. Tomasz Dudek (PUR) def. Luke Baylis (MSU) – 3-6, 6-1, 6-2
4. Rohan Sachdev (PUR) def. Graydon Lair (MSU) – 7-5, 6-2
5. Carson Gates (MSU) def. Piotr Galus (PUR) – 6-3, 4-6, 7-5
6. Michal Wozniak (PUR) def. Anthony Pero (MSU) – 6-4, 6-4
Doubles
1. Athell Bennett/Piotr Galus (PUR) def. Jack Winkler/Graydon Lair (MSU) – 6-4
2. Milledge Cossu/Michal Wozniak (PUR) def. Reed Crocker/Nick Williams (MSU) – 6-3
3. Max Sheldon/Carson Gates (MSU) def. Julen Morgan/Sebastian Welch – 6-2
Order of Finish
Singles: 1,4,6,3,5,2
Doubles: 3,2,1
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