The No. 14 University of Arizona men’s tennis team (9-1) secured a commanding 4-0 victory over the No. 7 University of San Diego (9-2) on Friday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. at the LaNelle Robson Tennis Center. The Wildcats were able to keep their win streak alive, extending it to four wins. This statement win marked the Wildcats’ third top-25 victory of the season, further solidifying their place among the nation’s best. 

The highly anticipated matchup began with doubles play, where Arizona wasted no time asserting its dominance. Facing the No. 1 doubles team in the country, Stian Klaassen and Oliver Tarvet, the Wildcats stepped up to the challenge. 

Jay Friend and Eric Padgham secured a 6-1 victory over Savriyan Danilov and Iiro Vasa on court two, giving Arizona the early lead. 

The decisive doubles point was clinched by the duo of Colton Smith and Iñaki Cabrera-Bello, who took down Klaassen and Tarvet with an emphatic 6-2 win on court one. Both courts would illustrate the dominance that Arizona would bring throughout the later singles matchups.

No. 3 Smith once again proved why he is one of the best players in the country. While leading 4-1, Smith’s match ended via a medical retirement from No. 4 Tarvet, putting Arizona ahead 2-0.

On court six, freshman Alexander Rozin delivered a swift and commanding performance, dismantling Neo Niedner in two sets, 6-1, 6-2, to extend Arizona’s lead to 3-0.

The match-clinching moment came from No. 8 Friend, who battled through a tough first set before dominating the second. Friend’s impressive 7-6(2), 6-0 victory over No. 44 Danilov secured the Wildcats’ 4-0 triumph over the Toreros.

The Wildcats’ depth and talent were on full display, with unfinished matches on courts three, four, and five showing Arizona in strong positions. Sophomore Casper Christensen and freshmen Filip Gustafsson and Zoran Ludoski were all competing at a high level before the match was clinched.

Looking ahead

Following this massive win, the Wildcats will head to Tempe for the Diablo Invite hosted by ASU on Friday, Feb. 28, and Saturday, Mar. 1. With a four-match win streak and multiple top-25 victories under their belt, Arizona is proving to be a force to be reckoned with this season.

Final Score: Arizona 4, San Diego 0

Match Results

Doubles (Order of finish: 2, 1)

1. Smith/Cabrera-Bello def. No. 1 Klaassen/Tarvet – 6-2
2. No. 63 Friend/Padgham def. Danilov/Vasa – 6-1
3. Ludoski/Gustafsson vs. Berrut/Niranjan – 4-4 (unfinished)

Singles (Order of finish: 1, 6, 2)

1. No. 3 Colton Smith def. No. 4 Oliver Tarvet – 4-1 (ret.)
2. No. 8 Jay Friend def. No. 44 Savriyan Danilov – 7-6(2), 6-0
3. No. 63 Zoran Ludoski vs. Iiro Vasa – 3-6, 3-5 (unfinished)
4. Casper Christensen vs. No. 100 Stian Klaassen – 4-6, 5-2 (unfinished)
5. Filip Gustafsson vs. Adrien Berrut – 2-6, 6-2, 1-0 (unfinished)
6. Alexander Rozin def. Neo Niedner – 6-1, 6-2

Arizona’s victory was a testament to the team’s chemistry, skill and resilience, with standout performances across the board. As they prepare for their next challenge, the Wildcats continue to prove they are among the nation’s elite.