Box Score

MADISON, Wis. - The Illinois women's tennis team picked up its seventh-straight victory over Wisconsin on Friday, as the Illini claimed a 5-2 win over the Badgers in Madison. The Orange and Blue improve to 10-10 overall this season and 5-3 in conference play. 

The Illini failed to clinch the doubles point for the first time in the last five matches, as the Badgers secured wins at No. 1 and 2 doubles to take the early advantage. Keberle/Makarova claimed a 6-0 win over Switkes/Belaya before Castellano/Zordani defeated Duong/Novak, 6-4. 

Illinois found its stride in singles play, taking the first set on five of six courts. Daniela Pedraza Novak was first to finish for Illinois, as the senior went 6-1, 6-4 over Zordani to even up the match. Emilee Duong then secured a 6-2, 6-3 win over Rompf to give the Illini the lead. Heading into the match, Illinois was undefeated when the team won at No. 5 singles. 

Illinois then got two victories to clinch the match, as Sasha Belaya took down Markam, 6-4, 1-6, 6-0, on court four and Mia Rabinowitz defeated No. 107 Lexi Keberle in a 6-4, 6-4 straight-set on court two. Wisconsin picked up a point on court three, but Asuka Kawai responded on court one with an impressive come from behind 5-7, 7-6(3), 1-0(4) win over No. 63 Sarah Castellano. 

Up next, the Illini will head to Minneapolis for another conference road match against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Match play is set for Sunday, April 14, at 11 a.m. CT.

Final Results 

Illinois 5, Wisconsin 2

Doubles-Order of Finish: 1, 3, 2*

1. Keberle/Makarova (WIS) def. Belaya/Switkes (Illinois) 6-0
2. Castellano/Zordani (WIS) def. Duong/Novak (Illinois) 6-4
3. Kawai/Rabinowitz (Illinois) def. Rompf/Markham (WIS) 6-4

Singles-Order of Finish: 6, 5, 4, 2*, 3, 1

1. #49 Asuka Kawai (Illinois) def. #63 Sara Castellano (WIS) 5-7, 7-6(3), 1-0(10-4)
2. Mia Rabinowitz (Illinois) def. #107 Lexi Keberle (WIS) 6-4, 6-4
3. Anna Makarova (WIS) def. Jaclyn Switkes (Illinois) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
4. Sasha Belaya (Illinois) def. Ava Markham (WIS) 6-4, 1-6, 6-0
5. Emilee Duong (Illinois) def. MaryAnn Rompf (WIS) 6-2, 6-3
6. Daniela Pedraza Novak (Illinois) def. Christina Zordani (WIS) 6-1, 6-4

Records: Illinois (10-10, 5-3 B1G) | Wisconsin (14-4, 6-2 B1G)

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