Wisconsin drops match to Auburn, 5-2

Box Score

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin men’s tennis team (0-7, 0-0 B1G) lost to Auburn (4-1, 0-0 SEC), 5-2, in its first match of the weekend, Friday, Feb. 9.

Competing in just two doubles matches due to injury, the Badgers played Michael Minasyan/Matthew Fullerton at No. 1 doubles against Raul Dobai/Finn Murgett and Oliver Olsson/Tomas Zlatohlavek against Will Nolan/Billy Blaydes in the No. 2 match. Minasyan and Fullerton came out with an infectious energy, claiming a 6-4 victory, the pair’s first of the season. Olsson and Zlatohlavek’s match was more stressful, as it went to a seven-point tiebreaker at six-all. It was a tough battle, but Wisconsin emerged victorious, 7-6 (7-4) to take the doubles point and head into singles up 1-0. 

The Badgers put up a good fight, stretching the match to three hours and 25 minutes, but lost four of the five singles matches they played. Tomas Zlatohlavek lost in straight sets to No. 105 Raul Dobai, 6-2, 6-1, and was followed by Michael Minasyan, who lost 6-4, 6-4 to No. 84 Tyler Stice. Down 3-1, Wisconsin was going to simply hand Auburn the win. 

Matthew Fullerton, Collin Beduhn and Oliver Olsson all sent their games to third sets and fought hard to the end. Olsson ultimately lost to Billy Blades at No. 5 singles, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, but the matches continued to play out. Matthew Fullerton led for much of the third match, but eventually lost to Finn Murgett 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 in No. 3 singles. Collin Beduhn closed out the night on a high note, winning 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 against Alejandro Moreno at No. 4 singles. 

Up Next: Wisconsin returns back to Nielsen Tennis Stadium,…