Ohio State men's tennis advances to NCAA Tournament quarterfinals

Ohio State men’s tennis advanced to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals after defeating Big Ten rival Illinois 4-0. The Buckeyes dominated with strong doubles play, as Alexander Bernard and Alex Okonkwo won 6-2 on court three, while Brandon Carpico and Nikita Filin secured a 7-6 (4) victory on court one. Singles matches followed suit, with Filin (6-1, 6-4), Bernard (6-2, 6-2), and Jack Anthrop (6-4, 6-3) each contributing to the sweep, marking Ohio State’s third win over Illinois this season. The victory propels Ohio State to the Elite 8, where they will travel to Athens, Georgia, for a May 14 match against the winner of Stanford and No. 6 seed TCU. The game between the Cardinal and Horned Frogs is set for 2 p.m. ET on Saturday. Despite past successes, including runner-up finishes in 2023, 2018, and 2009, Ohio State remains undefeated in securing an NCAA outdoor title, having reached the quarterfinals 18 other times since 2004. The Buckeyes’ performance against Illinois was particularly notable after narrowly defeating the Illini in the Big Ten Tournament just last week. Ohio State’s doubles duo and singles players demonstrated consistency, ensuring a commanding 4-0 victory. This win solidifies their position as a top contender in the tournament, though they will need to maintain their momentum to advance further. Athens, Georgia, will host the next round, where Ohio State will face a highly competitive matchup. The team’s journey continues as they aim to break through and claim their first NCAA outdoor championship.