Arizona Dominates Denver to Advance in NCAA Tennis Championships
TUCSON, Ariz. – In a thrilling display of skill and teamwork, the No. 10 Arizona Men’s Tennis team swept past Denver with a convincing 4-0 victory at the LaNelle Robson Tennis Center on Friday. This impressive win propels the Wildcats to the second round of the NCAA Championships, where they are poised to face Harvard.
Early Dominance on the Court
A Strong Start with Doubles
Arizona set the tone for the match early by clinching the coveted doubles point. The standout pair of Casper Christensen and Filip Gustafsson kicked things off with a solid 6-3 victory against Denver’s Ryoma Mishiro and Raffaello Papajcik. This was swiftly backed up by the experienced senior duo of Colton Smith and Iñaki Cabrera-Bello, who sealed the doubles point with a 6-4 win over Connor Robb-Wilcox and Rikuto Yamaguchi.
Singles: Cats Show Their Might
Unstoppable Singles Performance
In the singles matches, Arizona continued its winning momentum. All six Wildcats took their first sets, showcasing their dominance on the court.
Jay Friend, ranked No. 6, finished first with a spectacular 6-0, 6-3 win over Papajcik. His command of the match was evident, leaving little room for error.
Following closely was sophomore Alexander Rozin, who triumphed with a decisive 6-0, 6-2 victory against Mishiro. His performance was a testament to his growth and determination.
- Rounding off the sweep was freshman Zoran Ludoski, ranked No. 103. He clinched the match for Arizona with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Yamaguchi, sealing Denver’s fate and sending the Wildcats to the next round.
Upcoming Challenges: The Clash with Harvard
Arizona’s success doesn’t end here. The Wildcats will face a formidable opponent in Harvard, who secured a 4-0 victory over Washington earlier in the day. The match is scheduled for tomorrow, May 3, at 1:00 p.m. MST at Robson Tennis Center. Fans can grab their tickets at the door for just $10, with doors opening at noon.
Coverage Options
For those unable to attend in person, comprehensive coverage will be available on Playsight, ESPN+, and Cracked Racquets. Live stats will also be accessible via Stat Broadcast, ensuring that all fans can stay connected to the action.
Match Results Summary
Arizona vs. Denver (4-0)
Doubles (Order of finish: 3, 1):
- Cabrera-Bello/Smith (ARIZ) def. Robb-Wilcox/Yamaguchi (DENM) 6-4
- Christensen/Gustafsson (ARIZ) def. Mishiro/Papajcik (DENM) 6-3
Singles (Order of finish: 2, 5, 3):
- Jay Friend (ARIZ) def. Papajcik (DENM) 6-0, 6-3
- Alexander Rozin (ARIZ) def. Mishiro (DENM) 6-0, 6-2
- Zoran Ludoski (ARIZ) def. Yamaguchi (DENM) 6-3, 6-1
Harvard vs. Washington (4-0)
Doubles (Order of finish: 1, 3):
- Lins/Milavsky (HARV) def. Bouchelaghem/Zharyn (WASH) 6-4
- Delloye/Pape (HARV) def. Belday/Pearson (WASH) 6-2
Singles (Order of finish: 1, 5, 6):
- Milavsky (HARV) def. Bouchelaghem (WASH) 6-3, 6-2
- Delloye (HARV) def. Ivan Sodan (WASH) 6-4, 6-4
Arizona’s dynamic performance sets the stage for an exhilarating match against Harvard. Will they continue their quest for glory? Stay tuned!
