Kentucky men's tennis sweeps first road trip of season, moves to 8-0

If Virginia is for Lovers, then it’s also for Wildcats.

No. 5 Kentucky men’s tennis was superb this past weekend, beating both Virginia and Virginia Tech. The Wildcats keep their momentum rolling and their undefeated streak alive. Eight matches into the year and the NCAA Tournament runners-up haven’t lost yet. It hasn’t been a slate of cupcakes for Kentucky either.

If two weekends ago was the “perfect weekend” where Kentucky beat both Liberty and Notre Dame in Lexington, this past weekend must be dubbed superior to perfect. The ‘Cats hit the road for a top-five matchup on Friday afternoon in Charlottesville, Virginia.

As if the Cats-Cavaliers showdown wasn’t important enough, UVA was the top-ranked team in the land. Want something else? Virginia beat Kentucky last season in the National Championship. Easy to say, this was more than a Friday-night tennis tilt. Revenge is a dish best served cold in a road environment to kickstart your February.

Let the games begin

Kentucky would have to overcome a big challenge, as ITA All-American, Liam Draxl, wasn’t in the lineup to face Virginia. That didn’t seem to stop the Wildcats, as they jumped to an early lead through doubles play. Taha Baadi and Alafia Ayeni proved themselves as the No. 1 doubles pairing with a 6-3 win. Joshua Lapadat and JJ Mercer were able to grab a win on court 3 in a 6-4 set. Just like that UK led 1-0 after doubles action.

While Draxl’s absence would hurt Kentucky the most in singles, they made do without him. Credit the Cavaliers, which won three singles matches in the afternoon, but it just wasn’t enough. The ‘Cats got three massive wins on courts three, four, and five.

Charlelie Cosnet got the party started for Kentucky. His 7-6(5), 6-3 straight-set victory gave the ‘Cats their second point of the day. Jaden Weekes settled into his singles match after dropping the first set. He then came out firing in sets two and three to win 2-6, 7-5, 6-1.

After being a set down, Baadi battled back to win a three-set thriller, earning a point for Kentucky. Baadi won 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(4). He was able to hold off Virginia’s Ryan Goetz and send the third set into a tiebreaker, which he ultimately won. Baadi’s match was actually the decider and last match of the evening. He gave UK the crucial fourth point and secured the 4-3 victory. Clutchness at its finest.

𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗚𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗡𝗢. 𝟭 ‼️

Kentucky knocks off Virginia in a THRILLING National Championship rematch! #WeAreUK 🔵😺🎾 pic.twitter.com/y27929ZOKe

— Kentucky Men's Tennis (@UKMensTennis) February 4, 2023

Not so close

Safe to say Kentucky’s Sunday match versus Virginia Tech wouldn’t provide as much drama. The Wildcats would perfectly sweep the Hokies 7-0. Lapadat and Mercer kept their doubles play rolling with another weekend win, 6-4. Weekes was paired with Alexandre LeBlanc in doubles and this duo went on to win 6-2.

Then came the real dominance. Both squads agreed to play out all the singles matches, which is how Kentucky went 6-0 on the day in singles. In fact, Cosnet was the only Wildcat not to win his match in straight sets. Cosnet was forced into a third-set tiebreaker where he won 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5).

The rest of the business was handled fairly easily. Baadi and Weekes showcased dominating performances. Baadi won 6-2, 6-3 while Weekes cruised to a 6-1, 6-3 dub.

Just like that, the weekend was completed. A sweep in Virgina on the first road trip of the season for the Wildcats, including an upset of the No. 1 squad in the country. That doesn’t sound too bad.

Rivalry on the horizon

There isn’t too much time to rest for Kentucky with another ACC-packed weekend on tap. This time it’s Louisville and Duke awaiting the Wildcats. The Cardinals are first on Friday. UK will look to add on to last year’s sweep of Louisville. However, this time the clash comes in the 502.

Duke will travel to Lexington to face off with the ‘Cats on Sunday to round out the weekend. This will put an end to the four-straight ACC opponents that Kentucky will have played in a two-week stretch. Finally, in two weekends will be the ITA National Indoor Tournament, which UK qualified for after beating Notre Dame.

Right now Kentucky is 8-0 on the year and while it’s one match at a time and conference play hasn’t even begun, it’s impossible to fathom what this team is capable of. We should see in no time.