The Wisconsin men's tennis team dominated Big Ten foe Purdue Saturday with a 5-2 victory, controlling the Boilermakers in all aspects of the game to advance to 4-2 in conference play and 15-6 overall.
The No. 33 Badgers began the match by winning the doubles point, which Wisconsin has struggled to do throughout this season.
""We're continuing to look for combinations that give us a spark and that play with a lot of energy, because in doubles that's the difference,"" assistant coach Evan Austin said. ""It was good to get two of those [matches] today, and we'll keep looking to keep three teams out there that will give us that every time.""
Doubles play started with No. 15 senior Moritz Baumann and junior Marek Michalicka leading the way for the Badgers. The pair defeated Purdue's seniors Slavko Bijelica and Branko Kuzmanovic 8-5 at No. 1. In Wisconsin's other doubles victory, the pair of senior Michael Dierberger and sophomore Patrick Pohlmann easily trounced Purdue's senior Paul Foley and junior Eric Ramos 8-1 to give the Badgers another much-needed doubles point.
The Badgers continued their success into singles play, winning four of six matches for the Wisconsin victory.
No. 17 Baumann led the Badgers' singles efforts, defeating Bijelica 6-4, 6-0. Wisconsin's Pohlmann overwhelmed senior P.J. Rose 6-1, 6-0, and No. 21 Michalicka crushed Kuzmanovic 6-0, 6-1.
Wisconsin's freshmen also received valuable playing time. Although first-year players Ricardo Martin and Billy Bertha fell to sophomore Thomas Wilson 6-4, 6-1 and Ramos 6-4, 7-6 (8-6) respectfully, Chris Freeman decisively sunk Foley 6-0, 6-2.
""Freeman is playing really well,"" Austin said. ""We've got some wins from Ricardo lately as well. We're trying to get those guys as much experience as possible. They know kind of what to expect, so I think that's why their results are starting to show up a little bit more.""
With only four matches left in conference play before the Big Ten Tournament, victories like their 5-2 wins against Northwestern Friday and No. 48 Purdue Saturday after a bitter loss to Michigan were important to the Badgers.
""Especially after the frustrating Michigan loss, we want to get back on track on the home matches, and we took care of those matches,"" Baumann said. ""Today it was like we should win for sure. I think we took care of business.""
The Badgers will look to continue their recent success on the road when they visit No. 60 Iowa Friday and No. 39 Minnesota Sunday.
""We know it's going to be a tough weekend,"" Austin said. ""We'll take the confidence and momentum we have right now, and hopefully things go well next weekend.""
