FORT WORTH, March 4, 2019 (Press Release)

The No. 11 Fighting Illini men’s tennis team fell to the No. 12 TCU Horned Frogs, 4-0, on Sunday afternoon at the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Illinois moves to 5-5 overall this season as it begins Big Ten play this upcoming week.

TCU had an early advantage, securing the double doubles point with victories on courts one and two.

TCU picked up the first singles point with Reese Stalder defeating freshman Keenan Mayo, 6-2, 6-3. On court two, No. 62 Alastair Gray topped sophomore and No. 28 Alex Brown, 6-3, 6-4. In his first outing in the No. 5 position, freshman Siphosothando Montsi fell to Luc Fomba, 6-2, 6-3 as TCU sealed the match.

“Very difficult road trip, playing two good teams,” said head coach Brad Dancer. “We got beat and did not play well enough. As coaches we understand we have to prepare our squad better.”

That’s a wrap for the #Illini in Fort Worth. 🔶🔷

We are back in action AT HOME on Friday and next Sunday! Come support the squad as they commence #B1G play against Northwestern at 6 pm CT on Friday. pic.twitter.com/o04xi3QQOD

— Illinois M Tennis (@IlliniMTennis) 3. März 2019

The Illini return home to commence Big Ten play for a two-match homestand beginning with the Northwestern Wildcats on Friday, March 8 at 6 pm CT. Last season, the Illini swept the Wildcats 4-0 in Evanston, Ill. Illinois leads the overall series 67-38-2.

On Sunday, March 10, the Illini compete against the Indiana Hoosiers at Noon CT. Since 2013, Illinois has a seven-game winning streak against Indiana, leading the overall series 47-44.

Results

#12 TCU 4, #11 Illinois 0 

Singles competition: Order of Finish (4,2,5)

1. #6 Alex Rybakov (TCU) vs. #9 Aleks Kovacevic (UI) 5-7, 4-4, unfinished
2. #62 Alastair Gray (TCU) def. #28 Alex Brown (UI) 6-3, 6-4
3. #83 Bertus Kruger (TCU) vs. #101 Zeke Clark (UI) 6-7 (4-7), 1-2, unfinished 4. Reese Stalder (TCU) def. Keenan Mayo (UI) 6-2, 6-3
5. Luc Fomba (TCU) def. Siphosothando Montsi (UI) 6-2, 6-3
6. Sander Jong (TCU) vs. Vuk Budic (UI) unfinished

Doubles competition: Order of finish (2,1)

1. Alex Rybakov/Alastair Gray (TCU) def. #50 Alex Brown/Caleb Chakravarthi (UI) 6-3

2. #26 Reese Stalder/Bertus Kruger (TCU) def. Aleks Kovacevic/Keenan Mayo (UI) 6-2

3. Sander Jong/Luc Fomba (TCU) vs. Vuk Budic/Gui Gomes (UI) 4-5, unfinished

Records:
Illinois 5-5; National ranking #11

TCU: 9-3; National ranking #12