MADISON, Wis. – The combination of an early lead and a late push was not enough for the No. 47 Wisconsin women's tennis team Friday evening as No. 34 Illinois defeated the Badgers, 5-2, at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
 
The Badgers (14-4 overall, 6-2 Big Ten) went into singles play with momentum after No. 1 and No. 2 doubles locked up an intense doubles victory for a 1-0 lead over Illinois (10-10, 5-3).
 
The Fighting Illini came out aggressive in singles play, winning the first set in five of six singles matches. UW gathered itself slightly, though, forcing two matches into third sets and closing the gap in each second set.
 
Sophomore Anna Makarova was the sole Badger to win her match, defeating Jaclyn Switkes, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.
 
Up next: Wisconsin is back at Nielsen on Sunday to host No. 29 Northwestern. The match is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. CT.
 
Madison, Wisconsin
Nielsen Tennis Stadium
Friday, April 12, 19
UI 5, UW 2
 
Singles Results
[49] Asuka Kawai (ILL) def. [63] Sara Castellano 5-7, 7-6 (3), 10-4
Mia Rabinowitz (ILL) def. Lexi Keberle (WIS) 6-4, 6-4
Anna Makarova (WIS) def. Jacyln Switkes (ILL) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
Sasha Belaya (ILL) def. Ava Markham (WIS) 6-4, 1-6, 6-0
Emilee Duong (ILL) def. MaryAnn Rompf (WIS) 6-2, 6-3
Daniela Pedraza Novak (ILL) def. Christina Zordani (WIS) 6-1, 6-4
 
Doubles Results
Keberle and Makarova (WIS) def. Belaya and Switkes (ILL) 6-0
Castellano and Zordani (WIS) def. Duong and Pedraza Novak (ILL) 6-4
Gandawidjaja and Kawai (ILL) def. Markham and Rompf (WIS) 6-4