Despite an upset win at No. 2 singles by sophomore Nolan Polley, No. 7 Ohio State proved to be too much for the UW men's tennis team on Sunday, as the Badgers (3-7 Big Ten, 10-11 overall) were downed 6-1 at Stickney Tennis Center in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes extended their home winning streak to 40 matches at the Badgers' expense.
Polley's 6-2, 6-3 dismantling of No. 38 Bryan Koniecko of the Buckeyes clinched the lone point for the Badgers. The Lexington, Ken. native improved his spring season singles record to 16-5, to go along with an 8-2 mark in the Big Ten.
The Badgers were unable to muster another victory in singles or doubles. Polley and fellow sophomore Jeremy Sonkin were taken down 8-3 by the nation's No. 1 doubles team of Scott Green and Ross Wilson at the No. 1 doubles slot. The Badger duo finished with an impressive 10-4 record in dual meets. Ohio State swept the doubles point, and has not lost a doubles point in a dual meet this season.
In singles, Sonkin dropped to 15-6 on the season with a 7-5, 6-3 loss to Ohio State's Chris Klingemann at No. 1 singles. Sonkin finished the Big Ten season with a 6-4 record, tied for second on the team with Polley in conference victories. Sophomore Felipe Bellido also ended the regular season with six conference victories after losing to Steven Moneke 7-5, 6-4 at No. 4 singles.
With the win, the Buckeyes improved their record to 22-1 overall, including a 10-0 mark in the Big Ten, good for their fifth conference regular season title, and first since 2001.
UW has lost seven of its last nine matches heading into this weekend's Big Ten Tournament, which begins this Thursday, April 27, and runs through Sunday April 30 in Minneapolis. The Badgers will likely draw the eighth seed and take on Purdue, the probable ninth seed. With a win at this position, UW would find itself in a rematch with the Buckeyes, who clinched the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye with the win Sunday.
