The University of Arizona men’s tennis team launched their spring season in commanding fashion, sweeping a doubleheader hosting the New Mexico State Aggies on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at the LaNelle Robson Tennis Center. The Wildcats secured 7-0 victories in both matches, extending their unblemished record against the Aggies to 22-0 all-time.
The energy was palpable from the opening serve as junior Jay Friend and senior Colton Smith showcased their top-10 national rankings with effortless wins in singles play. In the first match, Friend, sitting at No. 6, led with a dominant 6-2, 6-3 performance. In the second match, Smith, ranked No. 5, set the tone with a 6-4, 6-1 victory. Their confidence on the court underlined why the Wildcats entered the season ranked No. 6 in the ITA Preseason Coaches Poll and No. 2 in the Big 12 Preseason Poll, just behind reigning national champions TCU.
The doubles teams also delivered in style. Arizona’s top duo overwhelmed the Aggies with precision net play and seamless communication, securing straight-set wins in both matches.
Wildcats Sweep in Tallahassee
Arizona Men’s Tennis didn’t stop there. Now 2-0 on the season, the Wildcats rolled into Tallahassee, Florida, and added another win to their record with a decisive 7-0 sweep over Georgia State on Friday, Jan. 17. The victory cemented Arizona’s reputation as a dominant force this season.
In doubles play, Friend teamed up with Eric Padgham to secure a 6-3 win over Georgia State’s Baran Soyler and Gabriele Datei. Freshman Filip Gustafsson and senior Iñaki Cabrera-Bello followed with a flawless 6-0 victory, clinching the doubles point with authority.
The Wildcats’ dominance extended into singles action. On court one, No. 6 Friend took down Soyler 6-2, 6-3, while No. 5 Smith overpowered Edward Tymes 6-2, 6-0 in straight sets. Freshman Zoran Ludoski continued his strong start to the season with a gritty 7-5, 6-1 win against Aryan Jit Singh. Gustafsson and Alexander Rozin delivered clinical victories, finishing 6-2, 6-0 and 6-2, 6-1, respectively. Freshman Glib Sekachov closed the match with a hard-fought 6-3, 7-5 win over Hugo Nossler. Notably, all six singles matches were won in just two sets, a testament to Arizona’s commanding performance.
Building Momentum
Arizona’s stellar start comes on the heels of a successful fall season that saw Friend and Smith make deep runs in the NCAA Singles Championships. Their individual successes, combined with the team’s depth and camaraderie, have set the stage for a promising spring campaign.
With a Big 12 title and postseason ambitions on the horizon, the Wildcats are showing no signs of slowing down. Fans can follow all the action, including live streams and stats, on PlaySight and StatBroadcast.
As the season unfolds, one thing is clear: Arizona men’s tennis isn’t just here to play—they’re here to dominate.
Statement Win Over Florida State
Arizona Men’s Tennis (4-0) made a resounding statement on Saturday, taking down No. 9 Florida State (5-1) 6-1 in Tallahassee. The Wildcats notched their first-ranked victory of the season, proving they can compete with the nation’s best.
The day started with a stumble as Arizona dropped the doubles point to the Seminoles. Despite a strong showing from Jay Friend and Eric Padgham on court one, the Wildcats couldn’t secure the doubles edge, giving Florida State an early 1-0 lead.
Arizona responded with a vengeance in singles play. Alexander Rozin got the Wildcats on the board with a 6-4, 6-2 victory on court six over Justin Lyons. Next up, No. 6 Jay Friend defeated Erik Schiessl 6-4, 6-2. No. 5 Colton Smith kept the momentum going on court one, besting No. 22 Jamie Connel 6-3, 7-5. Filip Gustafsson clinched the match with a clutch 7-6, 6-2 win over Joshua Dous-Karpenschif. Arizona closed out the day with additional wins, bringing the final score to 6-1.
ITA Kickoff Weekend Ahead
With a strong first week in the books, Arizona now turns its attention to ITA Kickoff Weekend in Tucson on Jan. 25-26. The Wildcats will host the University of Southern California, the University of Central Florida, and Oklahoma State University, all battling for a coveted spot in the ITA National Team Indoor Tournament.
