UK Men’s Tennis Defeats Reigning NCAA Champion UVA 4-3

The No. 16 ranked Kentucky Wildcats rallied from a 2-0 deficit to upset No. 3 Virginia 4-3 at the Boone Tennis Center in Lexington. UK freshman and former three-time KHSAA state champion Eli Stephenson capped off the victory with a 6-3, 6-2 win on court five.

The two-time defending champion ‘Hoos knocked out the ‘Cats in the 2022 NCAA finals and 2023 quarterfinals, and returned the majority of their lineup this season. The win comes two days after Kentucky logged a 6-1 rivalry win over Louisville.

No. 16 @UKMensTennis upsets No. 3 UVA 4-2!

Former KHSAA champion Eli Stephenson with the clinch!

UVA knocked out UK in the 2022 NCAA finals and 2023 NCAA quarterfinals, winning the title both years.@KySportsRadio pic.twitter.com/e6Vc6m5y2c
— Troy Howell (@teeroyhowell) February 4, 2024

After dropping the doubles point and losing on court two in singles, Kentucky started to gain some momentum thanks to straight set victories from sophomores Jaden Weekes (court 3) and Charlelie Cosnet (court 4).

Jaden Weekes puts UK on the board with a dominant 6-4. 6-2 victory over Alexander Kiefer on court 3 in just a little over an hour!

Quite a turnaround from last year’s match in the NCAA quarterfinal, which Kiefer won 6-4, 6-3.

No. 3 UVA 2
No. 16 UK 1@UKMensTennis pic.twitter.com/OrF2Nw2j1T
— Troy Howell (@teeroyhowell) February 4, 2024

Charlelie Cosnet (UK) picks up a crucial 6-4, 6-4 win over Enoardo Graziani on court four to even the match!

No. 16 UK 2
No. 3 UVA 2

Cats are trying to take down the 2-time reigning national champions here in Lexington. pic.twitter.com/rHOJ9pLLoE
— Troy Howell (@teeroyhowell) February 4, 2024

Weekes’ victory over Alex Kiefer was especially sweet, after falling to Kiefer in straight sets in the quarterfinal match last season.

Taha Baadi rallied from a set down to defeat Jeffrey von der Schulenberg on court 1, putting the Big Blue on the cusp of victory, setting the stage for Stephenson.

Taha Baadi (UK) rallies to beat Jeffrey von der Schulenburg (UVA) on court 1, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5

UK leads UVA 3-2!

Need one more! pic.twitter.com/zC9sMEMBOq
— Troy Howell (@teeroyhowell) February 4, 2024

With the overall match already decided, the remaining match on court six was played out as a third set super tiebreak, with UVA winning to make the final 4-3 Kentucky.

Notes from the Kentucky Tennis Victory

Kentucky’s regular No. 1 player Josh Lapadat was not in the singles lineup.

Virginia’s regular No. 1 and No. 2 players did not play due to Davis Cup ties and injury respectively. UVA was picked No. 1 in the preseason rankings.

After suffering a surprising loss to Alabama in ITA kickoff weekend, Kentucky (6-1) bounced back nicely with wins over Louisville and Virginia this weekend.

The tough competition continues with No. 12 Harvard visiting Lexington this Friday at 5:00 PM.

We all can agree that Kentucky is a tennis school!

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