In one of its most impressive performances of the season, the Badger men's tennis team improved to 3-4 overall (0-1 Big Ten) sweeping all three doubles matches and dropping only one singles match en route to a 6-1 defeat over Butler University (4-9) at the Nielson Tennis Center.
Saturday's performance was crucial, as the Badger's rebounded from their road losses against Northwestern and Ball State this past weekend.
\It was obviously a much-needed win,"" UW head coach Pat Klingelhoets said. ""Last weekend was tough on the road and Butler is a good team and they put up a strong fight, especially in doubles.""
After wins by freshmen Elliott Bisnow and Jeremy Sonkin at No. 3 and the Kasarov brothers-senior Alex and sophomore Lachezar Kasarov-at No. 1, the doubles point was secured by No. 2 juniors Mark Weining and Jordan Raemisch, who defeated Butler's sophomore James Low and junior Parker Ross, 8-6.
The freshman Sonkin won his fifth-straight match of the year in singles competition as well, defeating Bulldog junior Andy Bartish, 6-3, 7-6 (5). His development over recent weeks has caught the attention of both his coach and the opposing competition.
""Jeremy is playing some really good tennis and you can see his confidence starting to build,"" Klingelhoets said. ""He's starting to come to the net a lot more and you can see inside now he feels he's going to win every match and he just keeps improving.""
The most intriguing match of the day came at No. 6 singles, as UW freshman Brian Ko dropped the opening set of his match with Butler senior Mike Weaver, but was able to regroup and win the next two, notching a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 come-from-behind victory.
""I was a little nervous in the first set and really didn't get it going,"" Ko said. ""But I got loosened up in the second, and beat him one and two pretty easily.""
The Teaneck, N.J., native rode the cheers from the small crowd he compiled over the course of the match.
""They come to every home match, its amazing,' Ko said. ""They give me all the confidence I need.""
Also posting victories for UW were Alex Kasarov at No.1 singles, Lachezar Kasarov at No. 3 and freshman Felipe Bellido at No. 5 who breezed past Butler freshman Eric Breitenbach, 6-0, 6-0.
The Wisconsin men's tennis team returns to action 11 a.m. Feb. 26, at Michigan State as they prepare for three consecutive Big Ten conference matches.
