Michigan
Oregon
Michigan Blanks Oregon in Big Ten Opener
3/7/2025 9:45:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Varsity Tennis Center)
Score: #18 Michigan 4, Oregon 0
Records: U-M (7-6, 1-0 B1G), Oregon (8-5, 0-1 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, March 9 -- vs. Washington (Varsity Tennis Center), 11 a.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 18-ranked University of Michigan men's tennis team opened Big Ten play with a 4-0 win over Oregon on Friday (March 7) at the Varsity Tennis Center in the Ducks' first conference matchup since joining the league.
The Wolverines made changes to their doubles pairings, and the moves paid off as Michigan secured the doubles point. Benjamin Kittay and Alex Cairo teamed up for the first time this season and took a 6-3 win, claiming the last three games after being tied at 3-3. The established duo of Bjorn Swenson and Mert Oral improved to 4-3 in dual play with a 6-4 win at No. 3 doubles. They broke the Ducks' serve early to take a 3-1 advantage.
Swenson quickly put Michigan up 2-0 by defeating Paris Pouatcha 6-1, 6-3 at No. 3 singles. He broke Pouatcha three times in the first set and jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the second before closing out the match, earning his 35th career singles win.
Nicholas Steiglehner won his second straight singles match, taking No. 5 singles with 6-4, 6-1 wins over Matthew Burton.
Cairo clinched the victory for the Wolverines with matching 6-4 sets over Lachlan Robertson at No. 6 singles.
Michigan concludes its opening weekend of Big Ten play by hosting Washington on Sunday (March 9) at 11 a.m. Admission to the Varsity Tennis Center is free.
Following are match-by-match results
Singles
No. 1 -- No. 61 Benjamin Kittay (U-M) vs. Lenn Luemkemann (Oregon), 7-5, 3-4 abandoned
No. 2 -- Will Cooksey (U-M) vs. Vlad Breazu (Oregon), 7-6 (3), 2-3 abandoned
No. 3 -- Bjorn Swenson (U-M) d. Paris Pouatcha (Oregon), 6-1, 6-3
No. 4 -- Patorn Hanchaikul (U-M) vs. Clement Lemire (Oregon), 6-2, 4-5 abandoned
No. 5 -- Nicholas Steiglehner (U-M) d. Matthew Burton (Oregon), 6-4, 6-1
No. 6 -- Alex Cairo (U-M) d. Lachlan Robertson (Oregon), 6-4, 6-4
Doubles
No. 1 -- Benjamin Kittay/Alex Cairo (U-M) d. Matthew Burton/Lenn Luemkemann (Oregon), 6-3
No. 2 -- Will Cooksey/Patorn Hanchaikul (U-M) vs. Clement Lemire/Paris Pouatcha (Oregon), 5-6 abandoned
No. 3 -- Bjorn Swenson/Mert Oral (U-M) d. Vlad Breazu/Lachlan Robertson (Oregon), 6-4
Order of Completion: Doubles 1-3, Singles 3-5-6
Players Mentioned
