No. 19 Illinois men’s tennis split the weekend’s conference slate, crushing Wisconsin 6-1 but slipping up 4-3 to Minnesota for its first Big Ten loss of the season.

The Illini started with an impromptu, experimental-scoring match against Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Saturday, in which players were scored based on each point in each set. Illinois made quick work of the team, finishing Wisconsin-Eau Claire 66-10 before rolling into a conference match against Wisconsin.

The Illini started sloppily against the Badgers, dropping two of three courts in doubles and leaving one unfinished. Wisconsin’s Billy Bertha and Alexander Kostanov broke the eight-match win streak of Illini sophomores Tim Kopinski and Ross Guignon, who ranked No. 22 as a duo, according to the ITA.

“We just didn’t close on them,” Guignon said. “They just matched us, and some things went their way.”

Illinois showed new life coming into singles though, winning all courts. Guignon, accompanied by sophomore Farris Gosea, put the Illini ahead, each with 6-2, 6-1 victories on their respective courts.

Senior Stephen Hoh and freshman Jared Hiltzik both dropped their first sets but rallied to come out with points toward the Illini’s match score. Senior Bruno Abdelnour’s third-set victory finished the Badgers.

“Our guys were gritty on Friday night, but played very, very well,” head coach Brad Dancer said.

Minnesota changed the pace on Sunday when the Illini arrived for their third road match in two days. The Illini shot out to an early lead in doubles, raising their doubles wins to eight of 18 on the season.

Dancer said the team struggles with its first serves and failure to deliver strong returns, and those weaknesses showed during the weekend.

“I thought our doubles was a little better (Sunday) than it was Friday night,” Dancer said. “We’ve still got to figure out what we can do to win some doubles points. That’s really critical for us down the stretch.”

While the Illini’s inept doubles play led to their first Big Ten loss, the singles play kept the match close with four of six courts going into a third set. No. 42 Hiltzik played No. 100 Leandro Toledo to a tight match, winning 6-2 in the first set before falling 5-7 and 4-6 in the second and third, respectively.

Illinois and Minnesota split the other two courts in two sets. The Illini triumphed with Hoh on court five 6-1, 6-2 over Juan Pablo Ramirez, but Kopinski fell hard on court one to No. 41 Rok Bonin 1-6, 4-6.

“We were in good position today, just Minnesota dug down a little deeper and put up a little more resistance,” Dancer said. “Things kind of swung against us, and you’ve got to give Minnesota credit. Their backs were against the wall.”

As Illinois fell to 11-7, the coaching staff remains focused on its loss to Minnesota instead of its previous two victories. Dancer said they look at each match alone, refusing to cluster it all into a weekend triumph.

“We’re very disappointed we lost this match today,” Dancer said. “Our guys have high expectations for themselves, high expectations for the program, and we expect to win matches we have control of.”

J.J. can be reached at [email protected].