Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Continue Big Ten Slate Against Wisconsin and Purdue
4/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
April 8, 2010
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern faces two more Big Ten opponents this weekend, first taking on No. 33 Wisconsin on the road Friday afternoon at Nielsen Tennis Stadium. The 'Cats (9-8, 1-3 Big Ten) will then return home to Combe Tennis Center to take on Purdue at noon Sunday.
Doubles will be key for the 'Cats this weekend as they took the point in six of their nine victories. Also, the 'Cats have lost the doubles point in all eight of this season's losses.
Live scoring will be available for both matches. Click here for live stats from Friday's match in Madison. Click here for scoring from Sunday's match against Purdue.
SCOUTING THE BADGERS
Wisconsin (13-6, 2-2) is led by senior Moritz Baumann and junior Marek Michalicka, both ranked inside the top 25 nationally. Michalicka had his 14-match win streak snapped by Michigan's Jason Jung last Sunday. Baumann and Michalicka who anchor No. 1 doubles for the Badgers also form the No. 15 doubles team in the nation.
Northwestern leads the all-time series against the Badgers 57-36-3, including a hard-fought 4-3 victory last season at Combe Tennis Center. The 'Cats upset the then-24th ranked Badgers behind strong doubles play and wins in the No. 4-No. 6 singles spots.
SCOUTING THE BOILERMAKERS
Purdue (10-9, 0-4) will be looking for its first conference win of the season, though the Boilermakers will face Wisconsin Saturday afternoon before taking on the 'Cats on Sunday.
The Wildcats lead the all-time series 62-18-2, dropping the Boilers in a close 4-3 match last season. In that match, NU won the doubles point and the No. 3-No. 5 singles spots.
LAST TIME OUT
Northwestern spent last weekend on the road in the state of Michigan, first taking on the MSU Spartans and then the Michigan Wolverines. The 'Cats scored their first conference win of the season over the Spartans with a 6-1 decision on Friday. NU faced a quick turnaround in facing No. 26 Michigan Saturday, dropping a 5-2 match despite a team-leading 10th singles victory by Sidarth Balaji (Fairfax, Va./Fairfax).
