University of Illinois
Fighting Irish Mini Duals
Gamble, Mekhael Secure Team Title at Fighting Irish Mini Duals
September 27, 2026 | Men's Tennis
RECAP
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Illini freshmen Jon Gamble and Nicholas Mekhael paired up to win the team title at the Fighting Irish Mini Duals as the Orange and Blue totaled 16 overall victories from Sept. 25-27 in South Bend, Ind.
Gamble and Mekhael were joined by David Bakonyi and Colson Wells as the Fighting Illini's representatives at Notre Dame over the weekend. All four players posted three singles victories and two doubles triumphs over the course of the three-day event.
The final ultimately came down to Gamble/Mekhael vs. Bakonyi/Wells. The freshmen took the doubles match, 6-4, before the sides split the singles decisions. Though Wells defeated Mekhael in straight sets, Gamble's 7-5, 6-3 triumph over Bakonyi saw Gamble and Mekhael take the title.
RESULTS
First Round: Bakonyi/Wells (Illinois) vs. Olsson/Beduhn (Wisconsin)
Oliver Olsson/Collin Beduhn (Wisconsin) def. David Bakonyi/Colson Wells (Illinois), 6-4
David Bakonyi (Illinois) def. Oliver Olsson (Wisconsin), 7-6(5), 7-5
Colson Wells (Illinois) def. Collin Beduhn (Wisconsin), 6-3, 6-2
Bakonyi/Wells win, 2-1
First Round: Gamble/Mekhael (Illinois) vs. Cairo/Azar (Michigan)
Alex Cairo/Benjamin Azar (Michigan) def. Jon Gamble/Nicholas Mekhael (Illinois), 7-6(5)
Jon Gamble (Illinois) def. Alex Cairo (Michigan), 6-4, 6-2
Nicholas Mekhael (Illinois) def. Benjamin Azar (Michigan), 6-1, 6-0
Gamble/Mekhael win, 2-1
Quarterfinals: Bakonyi/Wells (Illinois) vs. Bazin/Carroll (Louisville)
David Bakonyi/Colson Wells (Illinois) def. Lucas Bazin/Jerald Carroll (Louisville), 7-6(5)
David Bakonyi (Illinois) def. Lucas Bazin (Louisville), 6-3, 6-7(5), 1-0 (10-6)
Jerald Carroll (Louisville) def. Colson Wells (Illinois), 6-0, 4-6, 1-0 (10-8)
Bakonyi/Wells win, 2-1
Quarterfinals: Gamble/Mekhael (Illinois) vs. Balthazor/Patrick (Notre Dame)
Nolan Balthazor/Nicholas Patrick (Notre Dame) def. Jon Gamble/Nicholas Mekhael (Illinois), 7-5
Jon Gamble (Illinois) def. Nolan Balthazor (Notre Dame), 6-4, 6-2
Nicholas Mekhael (Illinois) def. Nicholas Patrick (Notre Dame), 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-8)
Gamble/Mehael win, 2-1
Semifinals: Bakonyi/Wells (Illinois) vs. Lee/Suhanitski (Notre Dame)
David Bakonyi/Colson Wells (Illinois) def. Alex Suhanitski/Evan Lee (Notre Dame), 6-3
David Bakonyi (Illinois) def. Evan Lee (Notre Dame), 6-1, 6-1
Colson Wells (Illinois) def. Alex Suhanitski (Notre Dame), 6-4, 6-2
Bakonyi/Wells win, 3-0
Semifinals: Gamble/Mekhael (Illinois) vs. Miller/Yang (Northwestern)
Jon Gamble/Nicholas Mekhael (Illinois) def. Chad Miller/Vincent Yang (Northwestern), 6-3
Nicholas Mekhael (Illinois) def. Vincent Yang (Northwestern), 7-6(5), 6-2
Chad Miller (Northwestern) def. Jon Gamble (Illinois), 0-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-8)
Gamble/Mekhael win, 2-1
Final: Bakonyi/Wells (Illinois) vs. Gamble/Mekhael (Illinois)
Jon Gamble/Nicholas Mekhael (Illinois) def. David Bakonyi/Colson Wells (Illinois), 6-4
Jon Gamble (Illinois) def. David Bakonyi (Illinois), 7-5, 6-3
Colson Wells (Illinois) def. Nicholas Mekhael (Illinois), 6-3, 6-2
Gamble/Mekhael win, 2-1
