Ohio State
#4 Michigan
Buckeyes Beat No. 4 Michigan, Take Control in Big Ten Race
4/9/2023 4:01:16 PM | Men's Tennis
COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a battle for the top spot in the Big Ten, No. 3 Ohio State went on the road and took down No. 4 Michigan for the second time this season, winning 4-2 on Sunday afternoon.
The win improves the Buckeyes to 23-2 on the season and 6-0 in Big Ten play while Michigan falls to 18-3 and 4-1 in B1G matches. The teams also met in a non-conference match in Columbus on March 19 with OSU also winning that one 4-2.
The Buckeyes are in control in the race for another Big Ten title, which would be their 17th consecutive dating back to 2006. They are also now 33-5 vs. Michigan since Ty Tucker took over the program in 2000.
Ohio State won the crucial doubles point and then got singles wins from JJ Tracy, James Trotter and the clinching point from Jack Anthrop.
On the season, the Buckeyes are 10-2 vs. Top 25 foes, including seven wins vs. Top 10 teams.
Doubles
- Michigan got the first win as the No. 9 ranked team of Andrew Fenty and Gavin Young took the match on court one over Robert Cash and Justin Boulais 6-1.
- Cannon Kingsley and JJ Tracy pulled the Buckeyes even with a win on court three. They broke Ondrej Styler and Jacob Bickersteth in the first game and held that advantage until another break at love to go up 5-2. The Buckeye duo held for a 6-2 victory.
- The No. 8-ranked pair of Andrew Lutschaunig and James Trotter provided the clinching point. They started on serve with Ondrej Styler and Jacob Bickersteth through 2-1 before the Buckeyes broke to go ahead 3-1. They broke again to go up 5-2 and would serve for the match before dropping the next two games. But Lutschaunig and Trotter regained their composure and held for the 6-4 victory and the huge doubles point.
Singles
- JJ Tracy put the second point on the board for the Buckeyes as he beat No. 25 Patrick Maloney 6-3, 6-4. He now has a team-high 23 singles victories.
- James Trotter stayed perfect on the year with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Gavin Young on court four to make it 3-0. He is now a remarkable 21-0 on the season.
- Michigan drew to within one at 3-2 when it got wins on courts one and two, leaving the match to be decided by the Buckeye freshmen on courts five and six.
- Both Jack Anthrop and Alexander Bernard won their opening sets 6-4 and would drop their second sets by the same score. They both then took control of the third sets with early breaks.
- Anthrop would provide the clinching point as he raced to a 6-1 victory over Jacob Bickersteth. This was his ninth consecutive victory.
- Bernard was on back on serve at 5-5 and was up 40-0 when the match was clinched.
Up Next
- The Buckeyes return home to host travel partner Penn State next Saturday, April 15. First serve is scheduled for a noon start.
#3 Ohio State 4, #4 Michigan 2
Singles
1. #15 Andrew Fenty (MICH) def. #48 Justin Boulais (OSU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
2. #8 Ondrej Styler (MICH) def. #17 Cannon Kingsley (OSU) 7-6 (17-15), 6-4
3. #21 JJ Tracy (OSU) def. #25 Patrick Maloney (MICH) 6-3, 6-4
4. #28 James Trotter (OSU) def. #45 Gavin Young (MICH) 7-5, 6-2
5. #57 Alexander Bernard (OSU) vs. Nino Ehrenschneider (MICH) vs. 6-4, 4-6, 5-5, unfinished
6. Jack Anthrop (OSU) def. Jacob Bickersteth (MICH) 6-4, 4-6, 6-1
Doubles
1. #9 Andrew Fenty/Gavin Young (MICH) def. #37 Robert Cash/Justin Boulais (OSU) 6-1
2. #8 James Trotter/Andrew Lutschaunig (OSU) def. Patrick Maloney/Nino Ehrenschneider (MICH) 6-4
3. JJ Tracy/Cannon Kingsley (OSU) def. Ondrej Styler/Jacob Bickersteth (MICH) 6-2
Match Notes:
Ohio State 23-2 (6-0 B1G); National ranking #3
Michigan 18-3 (4-1 B1G); National ranking #4
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (3,4,1,2,6)
T-2:06
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