March 31, 2010
MADISON, Wis. - The No. 30-ranked Wisconsin men's tennis team showed its strength in singles play with a 4-3 victory over No. 51 Miami on Wednesday. With the win, Wisconsin improves to 12-5 on the season and 6-5 against ranked opponents.
The Badgers faced the outdoor elements for the first time in over a month after their first match against Florida Gulf Coast was canceled on Monday due to strong winds in the Tampa, Fla., area. Wisconsin got off to a rough start, dropping all three doubles matches to give Miami the 1-0 lead heading into singles play.
"It was a good win for us," said head coach Greg Van Emburgh. "The guys played really well in singles after getting off to a slow start in doubles; it was a great comeback in singles. They played really tough against an impressive and talented Miami team."
Wisconsin didn't waste time, taking the lead after Patrick Pohlmann, Marek Michalicka and Moritz Baumann swept the first three spots in straight sets to go up 3-1. Miami would get within one with a victory at the No. 4 slot, but was unable to catch the Badgers as Ricardo Martin sealed the win at the No. 6 slot with a 6-4, 6-4 victory. The Badgers handed Miami its third-straight loss to a Top 30 opponent.
Michalicka returned back to the No. 1 slot to improve his undefeated singles streak to 13-0 this season, including a 7-0 mark at the No. 1 spot. Michalicka took out Christian Blocker 6-4, 6-1 shortly after Pohlmann knocked off Keith Crowley by the same score.
Baumann got off to a quick start taking the first set easily, then came from behind in the second to get the 6-3, 6-4 victory.
Miami picked up two singles wins when Billy Bertha couldn't overcome David Simon at the No. 4 slot and Chris Freeman dropped the only match that was determined in three sets.
Wisconsin returns to Big Ten play this weekend with two road matches at Michigan State and Michigan. The Badgers are set to take on the Spartans and the Wolverines on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, with match times set for 11 a.m. (CT)
Tennis Match Results
Wisconsin vs Miami
3/31/2010 at Coral Gables, Fla.
#30 Wisconsin 4, #51 Miami 3
Singles competition
1. #21 Marek Michalicka (WIS) def. Christian Blocker (UM) 6-4, 6-1
2. #17 Moritz Baumann (WIS) def. #110 Carl Sundberg (UM) 6-3, 6-4
3. Patrick Pohlmann (WIS) def. Keith Crowley (UM) 6-4, 6-1
4. David Simon (UM) def. Billy Bertha (WIS) 6-3, 7-5
5. Waylon Chin (UM) def. Chris Freeman (WIS) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4
6. Ricardo Martin (WIS) def. Ignacio Taboada (UM) 6-4, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Christian Blocker/David Simon (UM) def. #15 Moritz Baumann/Marek Michalicka (WIS) 8-5
2. Keith Crowley/Hector Nieto (UM) def. #79 Luke Rassow-Kantor/Michael Dierberger (WIS) 8-4
3. Carl Sundberg/Barnabas Carrega (UM) def. Patrick Pohlmann/Billy Bertha (WIS) 8-7 (7-3)
Match Notes:
Wisconsin 11-5; National ranking #30
Miami 6-9; National ranking #51
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (3,1,2,4,6*,5)
*Game Winner
