TUCSON, Ariz - Arizona men's tennis kept their Big 12 conference campaign rolling on Friday afternoon, taking down No. 8 Baylor 4-1 at home in Tucson. The Wildcats, now 15-3 on the season and 3-0 in Big 12 play following earlier wins over BYU and Utah, controlled the match from the opening strings, securing the doubles point early and riding a balanced singles performance to close it out in two and a half hours — setting the stage for an unforgettable weekend on the home courts.
Arizona came out firing in doubles, winning the first two courts to claim the early 1-0 lead before the third court could finish. The No. 16-ranked duo of
Filip Gustafsson and
Glib Sekachov got things started at No. 1, knocking off the No. 69 pairing of Alexandru Chirita and Zsombor Velcz 6-3.
Jay Friend and
Alexander Rozin then clinched the doubles point at No. 2, dispatching Luc Koenig and Connor Van Schalkwyk by the same 6-3 score.
Alejandro Arcila and
Cole Stelse were leading 5-3 at No. 3 when play was halted.
In singles, Arizona's depth proved to be the difference. The Wildcats rattled off three straight set wins to seal the dual.
Glib Sekachov was efficient and dominant at No. 5, cruising past Luc Koenig 6-3, 6-1.
Zoran Ludoski followed with a composed 6-4, 6-1 victory over No. 104 Alexandru Chirita at No. 4. Then
Alejandro Arcila delivered the clinching blow at No. 6, overwhelming Baylor's Louis Bowden 6-1, 6-2 to put the match away. Meanwhile, No. 87
Alexander Rozin was locked in a tight battle with No. 39 Zsombor Velcz, and No. 74
Filip Gustafsson was in a hard-fought three-setter against No. 26 Connor Van Schalkwyk — both matches left unfinished with the dual already decided.
The one blemish on an otherwise clean afternoon came at No. 1, with Baylor's #14 Devin Badenhorst taking down the nation's #3 ranked player,
Jay Friend, 6-3, 6-0.
A Perfect Afternoon in Tucson
Despite the setback from Friend at the top of the lineup, Arizona's depth from courts four through six was the story of the afternoon — clinical, composed, and relentless. With three straight Big 12 wins to open conference play, the Wildcats are making a clear statement about their championship ambitions.
