Badgers fall to Combating Illini in Big Ten Tournament

OJAI, Calif. – The No. 34 Wisconsin males’s tennis group fell within the second spherical of the 2026 Big Ten Tournament to No. 14 Illinois, 4-0. Illinois labored rapidly, securing the doubles level and singles victories at No. 1, No. 3 and No. 6 to earn the sweep over Wisconsin. 

In doubles motion, Illinois earned a fast level by posting wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. Tomas Zlatohlavek and Oliver Olsson’s battle at No. 2 with the nationally-ranked combo of (No. 80) Bakonyi/Viiala was unfinished with the Illini pairing holding a 5-4 lead. 

Illinois constructed commanding leads throughout singles play, incomes first-set victories in 5 matches. The Illini scored its first singles level with a win at No. 6 over UW’s Sachiv Kumar. 

With three singles gamers ranked within the ITA’s high 100, the Illini stayed on the assault. No 28 Gabriel Debru defeated Patrik Meszaros at No. 1 (6-1, 6-3) and No. 100 William Mroz received 6-3, 6-3 at No. 3 over Ferdinand Kloesters. 

Up Next: The Badgers stay well-positioned to earn a bid within the NCAA Tournament. Wisconsin will study its postseason destiny through the NCAA choice present on Monday, April 27 (3 p.m. CT). If UW makes the 64-team area, the Badgers will compete within the regional spherical, starting on Friday, May 1. 

Wisconsin 0, Illinois 4

Doubles vs. Illinois

#1 Gabriel Debru/Kenta Miyoshi (ILL) def. Ferdinand Kloesters/Michael Minasyan (WIS) 6-3

#2 Oliver Olsson/Tomas Zlatohlavek (WIS) vs. No. 80 David Bakonyi/Zachary Viiala(ILL) 4-5

#3 Tyler Bowers/William Mroz (ILL) def. Matthew Fullerton/Patrik Meszaros (WIS) 6-2

Singles vs. Illinois

#1 No. 28 Gabriel Debru (ILL) def. Patrik Meszaros (WIS) 6-1, 6-3

#2 No. 63 Michael Minasyan (WIS) vs. No. 16 Kenta Miyoshi (ILL) 4-6, 1-5 (unf.)

#3 No. 100 William Mroz (ILL) def. Ferdinand Kloesters (WIS) 6-3, 6-3

#4 Edouard Aubert (WIS) vs. Adam Jilly (ILL) 4-6, 0-4 (unf.)

#5 Tomas Zlatohlavek (WIS) vs. Zachary Viiala (ILL) 6-6 (3-4) (unf.)

#6 Hayden Jones (ILL) def. Sachiv Kumar (WIS) 6-2, 6-1

Order of end: Doubles (3, 2); Singles (6, 1, 3)