MTN Closes Weekend with Top-25 Win

OXFORD, Miss. — The No. 22 Oklahoma men's tennis team closed ITA Kickoff Weekend with a 4-1 ranked win over No. 25 Illinois Sunday in Oxford, Miss.

"Today was a big win for the Sooners," head coach Nick Crowell said. "Today we played a much better match and made some corrections from the match before. Our guys bounced back today with a big win over a top-25 team and the reigning Big Ten champions."

"I am proud of how we stayed composed in the pressure moments and capitalized when our opportunities were there," Crowell said.

The Sooners (6-1) took the doubles point over Illinois, tallying wins on courts two and three. Mason Beiler and Nathan Han finished first for OU, rolling through their match with a 6-0 victory over Olivier Stuart and Nic Meister at the No. 3 spot. Duo Baptiste Anselmo and Mark Mandlik clinched the doubles point for OU, defeating Alex Brown and Gabrielus Guzauskas 6-4 on court two.

When play was halted, Alex Martinez and Welsh Hotard were down 5-4 against Hunter Heck and Lucas Horve at the top spot.

"The keys to the match today were our energy in the doubles and our ability to come out fast and grab five first sets in singles," Crowell said. "When the tug-of-war battle came, our guys pulled hard at the end and sealed the victory."

In singles play, Justin Schlageter struck first for OU, earning a quick 6-3, 6-2 win over Meister on court six. No. 54 Hasson was the next Sooner to finish play, defeating Horve 6-1, 6-1 at the No. 5 spot.

Illinois got on the board as No. 31 Beiler fell to No. 97 Stuart 6-2, 6-1 at the No. 1 spot. The Sooners responded with a 6-2, 7-5 victory for No. 49 Mandlik over Guzauskas on court four, clinching the match for OU.

When singles play halted, Martinez and Anselmo won their first sets 6-3, but were down 4-5 in their second sets on their respective courts. Martinez faced Heck on court two, while Anselmo competed against No. 113 Brown on court three.

"Today's win showed this team's character and ability to bounce back," Crowell said.

UP NEXT

OU returns to action at the Headington Family Tennis Center, hosting Wichita State and Arkansas on Feb. 4 and 6, respectively. Friday's competition against Wichita State is slated for 6 p.m. CT, while Arkansas' match will take place at 1 p.m. CT.

RESULTS

#22 Oklahoma 4, #25 Illinois 1

Singles
1. #97 Olivier Stuart (ILL) def. #31 Mason Beiler (OU) 6-2, 6-1
2. Hunter Heck (ILL) vs. Alex Martinez (OU) 3-6, 5-4, unfinished
3. #113 Alex Brown (ILL) vs. Baptiste Anselmo (OU) 3-6, 5-4, unfinished
4. #49 Mark Mandlik (OU) def. Gabrielus Guzauskas (ILL) 6-2, 7-5
5. #54 Jordan Hasson (OU) def. Lucas Horve (ILL) 6-1, 6-1
6. Justin Schlageter (OU) def. Nic Meister (ILL) 6-3, 6-2

Doubles
1. Hunter Heck/Lucas Horve (ILL) vs. Alex Martinez/Welsh Hotard (OU) 5-4, unfinished
2. Baptiste Anselmo/Mark Mandlik (OU) def. Alex Brown/Gabrielus Guzauskas (ILL) 6-4
3. Mason Beiler/Nathan Han (OU) def. Olivier Stuart/Nic Meister (ILL) 6-0

Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (6,5,1,4)

UP NEXT

RESULTS

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Baptiste Anselmo

Mason Beiler

Nathan Han

Jordan Hasson

Welsh Hotard

Mark Mandlik

Alex Martinez

Justin Schlageter

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics