March 10, 2007
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue's men's tennis team fell to No. 29 Wisconsin 6-1 Saturday afternoon at the Schwartz Tennis Center. The win improved Wisconsin's record to 8-2, 2-1 Big Ten and dropped Purdue to 7-2, 1-2 Big Ten.
"We had six guys out there today fighting hard, but we were just outplayed," said Purdue head coach Tim Madden. "Wisconsin is a highly ranked team that serves as a measuring stick for what it takes to be a top-25 club. We're not quite there yet but we gave ourselves the opportunity to win a few matches and fought hard."
Wisconsin clinched the match at No. 6 singles with Fellipe Bellido pulling off a 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 come-from-behind victory over senior Scott Warner.
Purdue's first and only victory was claimed by freshman Branko Kuzmanovic at No. 1 singles, beating 25th regionally ranked Jeremy Sonkin in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4.
"That was one of Branko's worst serving games of the year; he was double faulting the game away but still found a way to win at the top of the lineup. He was just able to compete harder than his opponent," said Madden.
Senior Paul Rose led Badger junior Nolan Polley 2-1 in the third set before retiring due to a hand injury. Rose won the first set 6-4, but Polley grabbed the second set 6-1.
Purdue dropped the doubles point for a fifth-straight match; however, the No. 3 combo of Rose and sophomore Jose Fuenmayor were able to come back and defeat Michael Dierberger and Michael Muskievicz 9-8 (4). Rose and Fuenmayor's win was their first as as team this season.
The Boilermakers next play on the road at UC Irvine and San Diego March 15 and 16 as part of their spring break training trip. Purdue returns home to the Schwartz Tennis Center on Friday, March 23 at 1:30 pm vs. Indiana State.