University of Minnesota Athletics
Rematch With Wisconsin Opens Big Ten Tournament
4/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
A rematch of a recent thrilling match with Wisconsin opens the Big Ten tournament for the Minnesota women's tennis team Thursday in Iowa City, Iowa.
The Gophers dropped a 4-3 decision to the Badgers on April 16 in Madison in a match that was decided by a third-set tiebreaker in the final match. The teams will meet again to open the Big Ten tournament on Thursday at 9 a.m. The Gophers and Badgers tied in the Big Ten standings with 3-7 records, though Wisconsin is seeded eighth and Minnesota is seeded ninth due to the Badgers' regular season dual match victory. Top-seeded and fourth-ranked Michigan looms for the winner in the quarterfinals on Friday at 10 a.m.
The last time Minnesota and Wisconsin met in the Big Ten tournament was 1996 when the Badgers won 4-0 in the second round in Madison.
Minnesota has lost five straight matches entering the weekend and brings a 10-13 overall record into the weekend. The Gophers have played 10 matches decided by 4-3 scores this year and are 4-6 in those contests, but have lost five straight. Wisconsin won its season finale over Penn State last weekend to push its record to 8-15.
Alessandra Ferrazzi leads the Gophers with a 24-14 overall record, while Tijana Koprivica is 23-18 for the season. Ferrazzi and Alexa Palen were both 5-5 in Big Ten dual matches.
In doubles, Ferrazzi and Palen teamed for a 7-3 record in Big Ten play and posted a 12-9 overall record at No. 1. Minnesota swept the doubles matches in its dual match with Wisconsin.
Minnesota has won its first round match at the Big Ten tournament each of the past three years. The Gophers have lost to the top seed in the second round the past two seasons. Minnesota has never won the Big Ten tournament and is looking to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2003.
