May 14, 2010
MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin men's tennis advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tennis Championship with a 4-2 victory over Notre Dame Friday afternoon in Urbana, Ill. The Badgers were led by senior Moritz Baumann who picked up the only straight-set victory for Wisconsin.
With four matches going to three sets, the Badgers clinched the match with the help of freshman Billy Bertha. Bertha sweated out the final set to clinch the match and advance Wisconsin to the second round for the third time in school history.
The No. 27-ranked Badgers (20-8) will face the winner of the Illinois vs. Xavier match Saturday at 2 p.m. (CT) at the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex in Urbana, Ill. Follow the match with live stats.
Wisconsin got out to an early 1-0 lead over the Fighting Irish claiming the doubles point with wins at the top two flights. The No. 15-ranked pair of Baumann and Marek Michalicka pulled away from an early 3-3 tie to take out No. 59 CaseyWatt and Stephen Havens at the No. 1 slot.
After Ricardo Martin and Chris Freeman dropped their match at the third doubles position, Patrick Pohlmann and Michael Dierberger increased their win streak to eight with an 8-4 victory over Tyler Davis and Niall Fitzgerald.
Baumann got his revenge, after dropping a three set match to Watt in their last meeting, Baumann took out Watt in two quick sets. With the victory (6-1, 6-3), Wisconsin went up 2-0 over the Irish and Baumann improved to 29-9 overall.
Notre Dame cut the lead in half with a win in the No. 6 spot. Michael Dierberger dropped the match in two 6-4 sets, playing in his first singles match since April 3.
The Badgers answered with a win in the No. 3 slot to put UW back up by two. Pohlmann dropped the first set but came back to win the next two defeating No. 103-ranked Daniel Stahl (3-6, 6-3, 6-1).
With the Badgers just one win away from victory, the final three matches went down to the wire in the final sets. Chris Freeman couldn't outlast UND's Samuel Keeton to bring the Fighting Irish back within one.
While Michalicka battled back from a third set deficit to tie it up at 5-5, Bertha put the match away for Wisconsin.
Wisconsin looks to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history. Wisconsin's previous second round losses came in 2007 and 2008 dropping matches to Notre Dame and UCLA, respectively. Earlier this season, Wisconsin hosted the Illini, dropping the tight 4-3 battle. Wisconsin has never faced Xavier.
Tennis Match Results
Notre Dame vs Wisconsin
May 14, 2010 at Urbana, Ill.
(Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex)
#27 Wisconsin 4, #39 Notre Dame 2
Singles competition
1. #24 Moritz Baumann (WIS) def. #53 Casey Watt (ND) 6-1, 6-3
2. #30 Marek Michalicka (WIS) vs. Stephen Havens (ND) 6-4, 6-7 (1-7), 5-5, unfinished
3. Patrick Pohlmann (WIS) def. #103 Daniel Stahl (ND) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
4. Samuel Keeton (ND) def. Chris Freeman (WIS) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
5. Billy Bertha (WIS) def. David Anderson (ND) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
6. Blas Moros (ND) def. Michael Dierberger (WIS) 6-4, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. #15 Moritz Baumann/Marek Michalicka (WIS) def. #59 Casey Watt/Stephen Havens (ND) 8-4
2. Patrick Pohlmann/Michael Dierberger (WIS) def. Tyler Davis/Niall Fitzgerald (ND) 8-4
3. Daniel Stahl/David Anderson (ND) def. Ricardo Martin/Chris Freeman (WIS) 8-4
Match Notes:
Notre Dame 15-13; National ranking #39
Wisconsin 20-7; National ranking #27
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (1,6,3,4,5) NCAA First Round match
