LINCOLN, Neb. - No. 64 Northwestern (8-15, 2-4 B1G) downed the Wisconsin Badgers on Friday as part of a split weekend of Big Ten action. The 'Cats beat the Badgers 5-2 in Madison before falling 6-1 to No. 61 Nebraska on Sunday in Lincoln.
The Badgers (1-17, 0-5 B1G) earned the match's first point with victories on the first and third doubles courts. Northwestern evened things right back up to begin singles play, however, with Gleb Blekher claiming a 6-1, 6-3 win at the second position.
Wisconsin earned a point back at #5 singles, then the 'Cats once again drew even - this time, on a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) tiebreak win from Felix Nordby. From there, it was all Wildcats. Presley Thieneman won 6-3, 6-4 at #1 singles, followed by Max Bengtsson (6-4, 6-4), who clinched match point for Northwestern. Sai Goli finished off Friday's action with a 6-3, 6-4 victory for good measure, making it a 5-1 victory for Northwestern.
Men's tennis continued their weekend in Lincoln with a match against the Cornhuskers (13-8, 2-3 B1G). Nebraska took both #2 and #3 doubles to lock up the first point of the match. They continued their success as singles progressed, winning each of the next five points as well. Despite their losses, Nordby and Bengtsson played close matches; Nordby split the first two sets before falling 6-4 in the third, while Bengtsson took his match to a super tiebreak, which he dropped 10-6.
Before the finish, Thieneman provided the 'Cats' only point of the match via super tiebreak, winning 6-3, 6-7 (3-6), 1-0 (11-9).
With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, Northwestern will continue their road stretch at Illinois next Saturday. First serve between the Wildcats and the Illini is set for noon.
The Badgers (1-17, 0-5 B1G) earned the match's first point with victories on the first and third doubles courts. Northwestern evened things right back up to begin singles play, however, with Gleb Blekher claiming a 6-1, 6-3 win at the second position.
Wisconsin earned a point back at #5 singles, then the 'Cats once again drew even - this time, on a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) tiebreak win from Felix Nordby. From there, it was all Wildcats. Presley Thieneman won 6-3, 6-4 at #1 singles, followed by Max Bengtsson (6-4, 6-4), who clinched match point for Northwestern. Sai Goli finished off Friday's action with a 6-3, 6-4 victory for good measure, making it a 5-1 victory for Northwestern.
Men's tennis continued their weekend in Lincoln with a match against the Cornhuskers (13-8, 2-3 B1G). Nebraska took both #2 and #3 doubles to lock up the first point of the match. They continued their success as singles progressed, winning each of the next five points as well. Despite their losses, Nordby and Bengtsson played close matches; Nordby split the first two sets before falling 6-4 in the third, while Bengtsson took his match to a super tiebreak, which he dropped 10-6.
Before the finish, Thieneman provided the 'Cats' only point of the match via super tiebreak, winning 6-3, 6-7 (3-6), 1-0 (11-9).
With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, Northwestern will continue their road stretch at Illinois next Saturday. First serve between the Wildcats and the Illini is set for noon.