The UW men's tennis team was defeated 5-2 by the No. 24 Ohio State Buckeyes Friday at Nielsen Tennis Stadium. The Buckeyes (8-1 Big Ten, 17-6 overall) nabbed the doubles point and took four of six singles matches to take down the Badgers (2-8, 8-13).
Capturing singles points for the Badgers were freshman Jeremy Sonkin, who knocked off sophomore Chris Klingemann at the No. 2 slot 7-6 (6), 6-4, and No. 4 freshman Felipe Bellido, who overcame losing the first set to notch a victory over Scott Green, 0-6, 7-6 (3), 1-0 (9).
The highlight of the day came when the Badger's No. 1 doubles duo of brothers Alex and Lachezar Kasarov upset the top-ranked OSU doubles team of Scott Green and Ross Wilson. Senior Alex and sophomore Lachezar won the match 9-8 (5). Neither team was able to break the other's serve, and the match went to a tie-breaker at 8-8. The Kasarovs fell behind quickly 4-1 in the tie-breaker, but fought back to win the tie-breaker 7-5 and take the match.
UW head coach Pat Klingelhoets was especially pleased with the effort of his No. 1 doubles team.
\I thought the match was great,"" Klingelhoets said. ""It is the best doubles match I have ever seen Alex and Lachezar play, and I am just really proud of them.""
Despite the thrilling triumph, UW was unable to capitalize and take the doubles point. The No. 2 team of juniors Jordan Raemisch and Steve Guntly fell 8-3, and the No. 3 team, Sonkin and junior Mark Weinig, was downed 8-5.
In other singles matches, Alex Kasarov was defeated by No. 57 Devin Mullings 6-4, 6-4 at the No. 1 spot. Lachezar Kasarov was also beaten, losing to No. 67 Joey Atas 6-3, 6-4 at No. 3 singles. No. 5 freshman Brian Ko and the No. 6 Weinig were also taken down in straight sets.
The Badgers did end the regular season on a high note, taking two singles points and a doubles match from the Buckeyes. Friday's match marks the final home match of the season for UW. Wisconsin heads to Champaigne, Ill., April 28 to May 1 for the Big Ten Championship.
