University of Minnesota Athletics
Third Seed at Stake in Two Weekend Home Matches
4/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
The No. 3 seed in the Big Ten tournament is at stake for Minnesota this weekend as the Gophers conclude their regular season with home matches against Iowa and Purdue at the Baseline Tennis Center.
Minnesota, ranked 33rd nationally, is currently tied for third place in the Big Ten standings with Northwestern with a 16-6 overall record and 5-3 Big Ten mark. The Wildcats play first place Ohio State this weekend, so Minnesota could likely earn the third seed with two victories. The Gophers would clinch one of the top five seeds and a first round bye with at least one win this weekend. Minnesota’s 16 wins are already its most since a 21-6 season in 2003.
Friday’s match with Iowa starts at 2 p.m. and, with beautiful weather in the forecast, will likely be the Gophers’ first home outdoor match of the season. The Hawkeyes are 11-7 overall and 3-5 in the Big Ten after losing 4-3 to Northwestern on Sunday. Minnesota has beaten Iowa 10 straight times since the Hawkeyes’ last win in the series in 1998.
The Gophers will also face Purdue on Saturday at noon in the final home match for senior Adam Altepeter. Purdue is 7-13 overall and 1-7 in the Big Ten, having lost the regular season dual match with the Gophers six straight years.
Minnesota is coming off one of its most exciting wins of the season with a 4-3 victory at 29th-ranked Wisconsin on Sunday. Sophomore Tobias Wernet rallied from down a break in the third set to win the final four games over 47th-ranked Marek Michalicka. Wernet is now 23-8 for the season, including 16-5 in dual matches, and earned his highest career national ranking this week at No. 80.
Ishay Hadash is ranked 62nd in the country this week and is now 18-10 for the season. He and Sebastian Gallego have been the Gophers’ best doubles tandem in Big Ten play with a 5-2 record in conference matches. Minnesota has lost the doubles point in five of its eight Big Ten matches, including three straight.
Julian Dehn was the Gophers’ only singles player to win both matches last weekend, winning twice at No. 5 singles to push his season record to 19-14 overall.
Following this weekend’s matches, the Gophers take part in the Big Ten tournament, which begins April 23 at Michigan. If Minnesota earns a first-round bye, the Gophers would play their first match on April 24.
Players Mentioned
