April 17, 2015
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MADISON, Wis. -- With the help of one of the biggest crowds of the season, the Wisconsin men's tennis team got off to a quick start but ultimately dropped its match against 27th-ranked Northwestern, 6-1.
The Badgers (7-16, 3-7 Big Ten) opened the match with a thrilling comeback win in doubles play, clinching the point with tiebreak victories on Courts 1 and 3. Lamar Remy and John Zordani battled back from an early deficit to tally the Cardinal and White's first win of the day by a final score of 8-7 (7-5).
"I thought we did a really good job in doubles today," head coach Greg Van Emburgh said. "We played with great energy and enthusiam, so I was excited to see that."
The nation's 76th-ranked doubles duo of freshmen Josef Dodridge and Jose Maria Martin De Oliva Carranza upset No. 56 Sam Shropshire and Alex Pasareanu of Northwestern in thrilling fashion, falling behind early but rallying to earn an 8-7 (7-4) victory for UW.
Carranza ended doubles play by executing an impressive forehand that he slipped down the line past Shropshire for the win.
Juniors Alexander Kokorev and Jakhongir Jalalov were also on their way to a comeback, but the pair was unable to overcome the Wildcat team of Fedor Baev and Strong Kirchheimer, falling by a final score of 8-4.
The Badgers were unable to build on the impressive start to their match, dropping all six singles contests to the Wildcats (19-7, 9-2 in Big Ten).
"We really didn't play our best tennis, but you have to give credit to Northwestern," Van Emburgh said. "They played a good match, they're a very good team, and it's a tough loss for us."
Dodridge had a shot at the upset against No. 66 Shropshire, taking his Wildcat foe into three sets. However, the come-from-behind win was not realized, and Dodridge dropped the match, 6-1, 2-6, 6-2.
Fellow freshman Remy also fought into a third set, but fell to Logan Staggs of Northwestern, 7-6 (7-2), 2-6, 6-4.
Despite having his NU opponent, Horoz, on the ropes in a first set tiebreak, Zordani was defeated by a final score of 7-6 (7-4), 6-0.
Jalalov, Kokorev and Carranza each played competitive contests as well, but the Badgers were swept in their individual duals.
Things won't get much easier as UW closes out its regular season hosting first-place Illinois on Sunday at Noon (CT). The Badgers will honor senior Michael Sinha against the No. 3 Illini (21-3, 9-0) at Nielsen.
Results -- Friday, April 17
Northwestern def. Wisconsin, 6-1
Men's Doubles
1. No. 76 Josef Dodridge/Jose Carranza def. No. 53 Sam Shropshire/Alex Pasareanu, 8-7 (7-4)
2. Fedor Baev/Strong Kirchheimer def. Jakhongir Jalalov/Alexander Kokorev, 8-4
3. Lamar Remy/John Zordani def. Alp Horoz/Mihir Kumar, 8-7 (7-5)
Men's Singles
1. Sam Shropshire def. Josef Dodridge, 6-1, 2-6, 6-2
2. Strong Kirchheimer def. Jakhongir Jalalov , 6-0, 6-4
3. Konrad Zieba def. Alexander Kokorev, 6-3, 6-2
4. Logan Staggs def. Lamar Remy, 7-6 (7-2), 2-6, 6-4
5. Fedor Baev def. Jose Maria Martin De Oliva Carranza, 6-3, 7-5
6. Alp Horoz def. John Zordani, 7-6 (7-4), 6-0
