The No. 10 Kentucky men’s tennis team is gearing up for their first road trip of the season as they prepare to face off against Illinois this Saturday. The Wildcats have started the season strong with a 2-0 record, and they will be looking to continue their winning streak.
In their last doubleheader, Kentucky showcased their talent by sweeping both Northern Kentucky and EKU with a 7-0 result against each team. Graduate JJ Mercer and freshman Matt Rankin were standout players, each securing four wins for the Wildcats.
Illinois, on the other hand, will be kicking off their 2024 season by hosting Toledo before facing off against Kentucky. Last season, the Fighting Illini finished with a 19-11 record and a 6-3 record in Big Ten play. Although they made it to the 2023 NCAA Tournament, they were eliminated in the opening round by Arizona State with a close 4-3 result.
Illinois boasts a strong lineup with two All-Big Ten First Team selections, Hunter Heck and Karlis Ozolins, as well as Second-Team honoree Alex Petrov. These key returners will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the match against Kentucky.
This Saturday’s match will be a rematch from last season, where Kentucky emerged victorious with a 4-1 win over Illinois. The Wildcats were dominant in doubles play and secured wins at the first, third, and fourth singles positions. Joshua Lapadat and Taha Baadi, who were both successful in their singles matches against Illinois last year, are back on the roster this season.
The Kentucky men’s tennis team is focused and determined to continue their winning ways. Fans can follow the action on fightingillini.com or keep up with live stats. Be sure to also follow the Wildcats on X and Instagram at @UKMensTennis for the latest updates on the team.
