University of Washington
Minnesota
Huskies Sweep Aside No. 16 Minnesota
March 05, 2011 | Men's Tennis
March 5, 2011
SEATTLE - It was a clean sweep for the 23rd-ranked Husky men's tennis team against the 16th-ranked Golden Gophers today at the Nordstrom Tennis Center. Washington (10-4) had one of its most impressive all-around wins, knocking off a Top-20 opponent for the second time this season, and doing it by a 7-0 count. Minnesota (8-2) had won seven straight matches until this afternoon.
After sweeping the doubles point, the Huskies took four of six first sets in singles to strengthen their advantage. Senior Martin Kildahl, ranked a career-best 71st in singles, pulled away quickly to defeat Sebastian Gallego at third singles, 6-1, 6-1 to put the first singles point up.
At fourth singles, freshman Daniel Schmidt had one of his most complete showings, defeating Brandon Ruddock in straight sets. Schmidt broke serve to win the first set, 6-4, then after falling in an 0-2 hole to start the second set, he won the final six games in a row.
"Daniel is a shot maker out there, and he was playing another shot maker out there. He was able to keep hitting the extra ball and waiting until he got the opportunity," said Head Coach Matt Anger.
The clinching point went to sophomore Marton Bots, who took care of Juan Pablo Ramirez, 6-3, 6-4. That came just seconds before senior Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan closed out a 6-3, 6-1 defeat of Rok Bonin in the No. 1 singles match to make it 5-0 Huskies.
Washington then turned around the only two matches it trailed. Sophomore Kyle McMorrow, ranked 61st nationally this week, rallied at the No. 2 spot to defeat Tobias Wernet in a third set super-tiebreak, 3-6, 6-2, and 10-7 in the breaker. Senior Tobi Obenaus then did the same at fifth singles, coming back from a set and a break down to beat Julian Dehn, 3-6, 7-5, (11-9), having saved one match point in the tiebreak.
"I think we came out and competed well. We were ready to go in doubles," said Anger. "Then in singles we did well, though they were tough matches. I thought it was key for Kyle and Tobi to come back and get their second sets after dropping the first, because that always helps keep the pressure on."
The Huskies opened with a doubles point sweep. 38th-ranked McMorrow and Nedunchezhiyan cruised to an 8-3 win over Dehn and Bonin at No. 1. Kildahl and Obenaus then clinched the point with an 8-6 victory over Gallego and Ruddock at No. 2, and Bots and Schmidt took the final match in a tiebreaker.
Washington will be back in action Sunday afternoon, facing St. Mary's in a match scheduled to begin at noon.
Washington Men's Tennis
March 5, 2011 - Seattle, Wash.
Nordstrom Tennis Center
No. 23 Washington 7, No. 16 Minnesota 0
Doubles
1) (38) McMorrow/Nedunchezhiyan (UW) def. Dehn/Bonin (Minn), 8-3
2) (52) Kildahl/Obenaus (UW) def. Gallego/Ruddock (Minn), 8-6
3) Bots/Schmidt (UW) def. Wernet/Ramirez (Minn), 8-7 (1)
Order of finish: 1, 2, 3
Singles
1) (75) Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan (UW) def. Rok Bonin (Minn), 6-3, 6-1
2) (61) Kyle McMorrow (UW) def. Tobias Wernet (Minn), 3-6, 6-2, (10-7)
3) (71) Martin Kildahl (UW) def. Sebastian Gallego (Minn), 6-1, 6-1
4) Daniel Schmidt (UW) def. Brendan Ruddock (Minn), 6-4, 6-2
5) Tobi Obenaus (UW) def. Julian Dehn (Minn), 3-6, 7-5, (11-9)
6) Marton Bots (UW) def. Juan Pablo Ramirez (Minn), 6-3, 6-4
Order of finish: 3, 4, 6, 1, 2, 5
Players Mentioned
