Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | Hawk Talk Monthly — February | Fight For Iowa
DENVER — The No. 23 University of Iowa men’s tennis team spoiled Denver’s undefeated season on Sunday at the Denver Tennis Park, 4-3. The Hawkeyes have now rattled off victories in eight of their last nine matches.
Iowa won the doubles point, winning matches on courts one and three. Joe Tyler/Matt Clegg downed Denver’s No. 3 duo River/Krulig, 6-3. Tenth-ranked Will Davies/Oliver Okonkwo clinched the point with a 7-6(4) win over Davis/Summers on court one. With the win, Davies cracked the Top 10 in all-time doubles victories (57) in program history.
In singles action, Davies bounced Ignatius Castelino (6-2, 6-4) to record his eighth straight win — equaling a career best — and team-leading ninth win of the season on court four. Allaf, ranked 61st nationally, extended his six-match win streak at No. 1, defeating Mattia Ros in straight sets (7-6, 6-3). Nikita Snezhko stepped up for the Hawkeyes in a big way at No. 6, dropping Daniel Krulig in straight sets (6-2, 6-3). Jason Kerst, Okonkwo, and Tyler dropped their respective singles matches.
Quoting Mellecker Family Head Coach Ross Wilson
“This was a big win on the road for us. It was a total team effort today. We were led by our No. 1 doubles team and No. 1 singles player. Nikita stepped up in a huge way at No. 6 singles.”
Up Next
The Hawkeyes will host VCU at Noon (CT) on Saturday at the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Complex. Admission is free to the public.
#23 Iowa 4, #35 Denver 3
Feb. 22, 2020 | 11 a.m. (MT) | Denver, Colo. | Denver Tennis Park
Singles
1. #61 Kareem Allaf (UI) def. Mattia Ros (DU): 7-6(4), 6-3
2. Matt Summers (DU) def. Joe Tyler (UI): 6-1, 6-2
3. James Davis (DU) def. Oliver Okonkwo (UI): 6-3, 7-5
4. Will Davies (UI) def. Ignatius Castelino (DU): 6-2, 6-4
5. Pedro Fernandez (DU) def. Jason Kerst (UI): 6-3, 6-2
6. Nikita Snezhko (UI) def. Daniel Krulig (DU): 6-2, 6-3
Doubles
1. #10 Okonkwo/Davies (UI) def. Davis/Summers (DU): 7-6(4)
2. Fernandez/Ros (DU) def. Snezhko/Allaf (UI): 7-5
3. Clegg/Tyler (UI) def. Rivers/Krulig (DU): 6-3
Match Notes:
Iowa: 8-2
Denver: 9-1
