Badgers fall to Fighting Illini in Big Ten Tournament

Thursday, April 23

Ojai, Calif.

8 p.m. CT

Wisconsin Badgers

Illinois

Photo by: Jeff Liang

Badgers fall to Fighting Illini in Big Ten Tournament

April 23, 2026 | Men's Tennis

Box Score

No. 34 Wisconsin is bested by No. 14 Illinois, 4-0

OJAI, Calif. - The No. 34 Wisconsin men's tennis team fell in the second round of the 2026 Big Ten Tournament to No. 14 Illinois, 4-0. Illinois worked quickly, securing the doubles point and singles victories at No. 1, No. 3 and No. 6 to earn the sweep over Wisconsin.

In doubles action, Illinois earned a quick point by posting wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. Tomas Zlatohlavek and Oliver Olsson's battle at No. 2 with the nationally-ranked combo of (No. 80) Bakonyi/Viiala was unfinished with the Illini pairing holding a 5-4 lead.

Illinois built commanding leads during singles play, earning first-set victories in five matches. The Illini scored its first singles point with a win at No. 6 over UW's Sachiv Kumar.

With three singles players ranked in the ITA's top 100, the Illini stayed on the attack. No 28 Gabriel Debru defeated Patrik Meszaros at No. 1 (6-1, 6-3) and No. 100 William Mroz won 6-3, 6-3 at No. 3 over Ferdinand Kloesters.

Up Next: The Badgers remain well-positioned to earn a bid in the NCAA Tournament. Wisconsin will learn its postseason fate during the NCAA selection show on Monday, April 27 (3 p.m. CT). If UW makes the 64-team field, the Badgers will compete in the regional round, beginning on Friday, May 1.

Wisconsin 0, Illinois 4

Doubles vs. Illinois

#1 Gabriel Debru/Kenta Miyoshi (ILL) def. Ferdinand Kloesters/Michael Minasyan (WIS) 6-3

#2 Oliver Olsson/Tomas Zlatohlavek (WIS) vs. No. 80 David Bakonyi/Zachary Viiala(ILL) 4-5

#3 Tyler Bowers/William Mroz (ILL) def. Matthew Fullerton/Patrik Meszaros (WIS) 6-2

Singles vs. Illinois

#1 No. 28 Gabriel Debru (ILL) def. Patrik Meszaros (WIS) 6-1, 6-3

#2 No. 63 Michael Minasyan (WIS) vs. No. 16 Kenta Miyoshi (ILL) 4-6, 1-5 (unf.)

#3 No. 100 William Mroz (ILL) def. Ferdinand Kloesters (WIS) 6-3, 6-3

#4 Edouard Aubert (WIS) vs. Adam Jilly (ILL) 4-6, 0-4 (unf.)

#5 Tomas Zlatohlavek (WIS) vs. Zachary Viiala (ILL) 6-6 (3-4) (unf.)

#6 Hayden Jones (ILL) def. Sachiv Kumar (WIS) 6-2, 6-1