University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA
Utah
Men's Tennis Overcome Late by No. 19 Utah for 4-3 Result
April 22, 2023 | Men's Tennis
LOS ANGELES โ The UCLA men's tennis team was outlasted in its regular-season finale Saturday afternoon by No. 19 Utah for a 4-3 result at Los Angeles Tennis Center.
Taking his home courts for the final time was redshirt senior Patrick Zahraj, who was honored by head coach Billy Martin and the rest of the UCLA program following doubles play. Also recognized was Drew Baird. Zahraj finished the day with victories on the singles and doubles courts. Also triumphant for the Bruins (12-9, 3-5 Pac-12) on both were Zahraj's doubles mate, Gianluca Ballotta. The Utes (21-3, 6-1) overcame a 2-0 deficit and singles wins by Bruno Caula, Geronimo Espin Busleiman and Patrick Trhac preceded the clincher by Francisco Bastias.
Thank you, seniors ????#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/2zsnlxlHQT
โ UCLA Men's Tennis (@uclatennis) April 23, 2023
Bastias and Caula gave the Utes an early advantage in doubles play, dispatching of Jeffrey Fradkin and Aadarsh Tripathi by a 6-3 score on Court 3. UCLA answered, however, with the top-60 matchup on Court 1 going the way of No. 60 Timothy Li and Giacomo Revelli. The Bruins bested No. 41 Trhac and Berk Bugarikj 6-4 for their third victory against a nationally-ranked opponent in four tries. Then, with the focus turned to Court 2, Ballotta and Zahraj sealed the doubles point for their first time as a combination with a 6-4 decision over Espin Busleiman and Franco Capalbo.
Ballotta who was stopped just short of a win on three straight occasions entering Saturday's match, was first to finish. He downed Bugarikj 6-0, 6-4 on Court 5.
Utah got on the board when Caula beat Visaya 6-3, 6-2 on Court 4. The Utes then pulled level moments later, as Trhac got the better of Li in a 6-4, 6-3 result on Court 6.
Zahraj put UCLA back in the lead when he dealt No. 81 Capalbo a 6-4, 6-2 loss on the top court. Zahraj's final serve at LATC was returned long for match point.
A tightly-contested contest on Court 2 ultimately went the way of No. 52 Espin Busleiman, who held off Revelli 7-6(3), 7-5. With all eyes on Court 2, No. 97 Bastias took the final three games versus Tripathi on Court 3 for the 1-6, 6-4, 7-5 individual win and team victory. The Utes claimed at least a share of the Pac-12 regular-season championship with the win.
The Bruins now turn their attention to Ojai, Calif., site of the annual Pac-12 Championships. Play-in matches are scheduled for Wednesday, April 26. The tournament continues through Saturday, April 29.
Tennis Match Results
Utah vs UCLA
4/22/2023 at Los Angeles, CA
(Los Angeles Tennis Center)
#19 Utah 4, #33 UCLA 3
Singles competition
1. Patrick Zahraj (UCLA) def. #81 Franco Capalbo (UTAH) 6-4, 6-2
2. #52 G. Espin Busleiman (UTAH) def. Giacomo Revelli (UCLA) 7-6 (7-3), 7-5
3. #97 Francisco Bastias (UTAH) def. Aadarsh Tripathi (UCLA) 1-6, 6-4, 7-5
4. Bruno Caula (UTAH) def. Azuma Visaya (UCLA) 6-3, 6-2
5. Gianluca Ballotta (UCLA) def. Berk Bugarikj (UTAH) 6-0, 6-4
6. Patrik Trhac (UTAH) def. Timothy Li (UCLA) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. #60 Timothy Li/Giacomo Revelli (UCLA) def. #41 Berk Bugarikj/Patrik Trhac (UTAH) 6-4
2. Gianluca Ballotta/Patrick Zahraj (UCLA) def. Franco Capalbo/G. Espin Busleiman (UTAH) 6-4
3. Francisco Bastias/Bruno Caula (UTAH) def. Jeffrey Fradkin/Aadarsh Tripathi (UCLA) 6-3
Match Notes:
Utah 21-3; National ranking #19
UCLA 12-9; National ranking #33
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (5,4,6,1,2,3)
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
3,1,2
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
5,4,6,1,2,3
Players Mentioned
