Chambana Sun

Illinois concluded the regular tennis season with a 6-1 victory over Washington at the Bill Quillian Tennis Stadium in Seattle. Having won the doubles point, the Fighting Illini proceeded to secure wins in singles matches at positions No. 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, bringing their record to 14-10 overall and 7-6 in Big Ten play. Washington fell to 16-7 overall and 8-5 in league action. The Illini's win over the Huskies ended Washington's five-match winning streak.

Coach Brad Dancer expressed his views after the match, saying, "It's clear that we, as coaches, are not preparing our team for the first matches of a weekend, but we have a team of fighters full of Illini pride. They have bounced back after adversity, time and time again. Needless to say, we didn't finish the Big Ten season to our expectations, but it's a new season and a chance to refresh and reset. I expect us to be an incredibly hungry team in the postseason."

In doubles, the Illini claimed the point with strong performances from pairs at No. 1 and 2. Kenta Miyoshi and Max Mroz achieved a 6-1 victory over Soham Purohit and Nedim Suko. Tyler Bowers and Mathis Debru, partnering for the first time, secured the doubles point with a 6-2 win against Cesar Bouchelaghem and Dzianis Zharyn. Zach Viiala and Jeremy Zhang were leading 4-2 when their match was abandoned.

In singles play, the Illini's advantage extended to 2-0 when Mathis Debru's opponent retired due to injury. Kenta Miyoshi won against No. 35 Cesar Bouchelaghem in a three-set match, reaching an 8-2 record in Big Ten play. Tyler Bowers clinched the match with a comeback win against Dzianis Zharyn. Additionally, Max Mroz and Jeremy Zhang added victories, with their matches going beyond two sets. Zach Viiala, however, fell in a tightly contested three-set match, earning Washington their lone point.

The results were as follows:

Doubles

No. 1: Tyler Bowers/Mathis Debru (Illinois) defeated Cesar Bouchelaghem/Dzianis Zharyn (Washington), 6-2

No. 2: Kenta Miyoshi/Max Mroz (Illinois) defeated Soham Purohit/Nedim Suko (Washington), 6-1

No. 3: Zach Viiala/Jeremy Zhang (Illinois) vs. Rohan Belday/Brett Pearson (Washington), 4-2, unfinished

Order of finish: 2, 1

Singles

No. 1: No. 14 Kenta Miyoshi (Illinois) defeated No. 35 Cesar Bouchelaghem (Washington), 6-2, 2-6, 6-3

No. 2: Tyler Bowers (Illinois) defeated Dzianis Zharyn (Washington), 4-6, 6-3, 6-3

No. 3: Soham Purohit (Washington) defeated Zach Viiala (Illinois), 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(5)

No. 4: Jeremy Zhang (Illinois) defeated Nedim Suko (Washington), 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-4

No. 5: Mathis Debru (Illinois) defeated Ivan Sodan (Washington), 5-2, retired

No. 6: Max Mroz (Illinois) defeated Rohan Belday (Washington), 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-5

Order of finish: 5, 1, 2, 6, 4, 3

The Illini now transition to postseason play, beginning Thursday at the Big Ten Men's Tennis Tournament in Columbus, Ohio.