Northwestern Box Score / Illinois Box Score
Urbana, Ill. - Despite a stronger start in non-conference play than 2017, the Purdue women's tennis team struggled during its first two Big Ten matches for the second season in a row. Saturday, the Boilermakers lost 4-0 at Northwestern in a clinch-clinch dual, and Sunday the team fell 6-1 at Illinois. Additionally, the pair of losses extended the program's losing streak to three - the most this season. Purdue last defeated No. 38 Arkansas 4-3 on Feb. 25.
Against the Wildcats, the Boilermakers fell on courts two and three in doubles, leaving court one's contest unfinished. In singles, freshmen Ena Babic and Zala Dovnik along with sophomore Alex Sabe lost in straights sets to hand Northwestern its third conference win of the season.
Sunday, Purdue again slipped in doubles, falling at the top-two positions. However, the team battled the Fighting Illini in singles. Of the six matches, three were decided in the third, including Silvia Ambrosio's 0-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory over No. 86 Jaclyn Switkes on court one. Additionally, Purdue forced tiebreaks in two of the straight-set losses, as Dovnik was the only Boilermaker to make a quick exit.
Up next, the program will look to end its current skid at Long Beach State on Saturday. First serve is schedule for 2 p.m. ET in Purdue's sole spring break dual.