In a thrilling Big Ten Championship clash, UCLA entered Sunday’s final looking to cap off its first conference season with history. Top-seeded Ohio State, undefeated at home since 2021 and winners of 75 straight home matches, looked poised to defend its crown. But the Bruins showed resilience, rallying late in singles to secure a 4–3 victory and claim their first-ever Big Ten title.
UCLA set the tone early by winning the doubles point. On court two, Spencer Johnson and Aadarsh Tripathi stayed perfect as a pair, defeating Ohio State’s Brandon Carpico and Nikita Filin 6–2. On court three, Gianluca Ballotta and Emon van Loben Sels continued their hot streak, clinching the doubles point with a 6–4 win over Alexander Bernard and Bryce Nakashima. Court one was left unfinished, with Alexander Hoogmartens and Giacomo Revelli leading 5–4.
Ohio State stormed back in singles. Nakashima struck first with a 6–2, 6–4 win over Johnson on court five, tying the score. Aidan Kim followed with a 7–6(3), 6–2 victory over Rudy Quan on court one, giving the Buckeyes a 2–1 advantage.
But the Bruins weren’t done.
Kaylan Bigun answered with a 6–2, 7–5 win over Will Jansen on court three, tying the match once again. Ohio State responded with Preston Stearns’ 6–3, 2–6, 6–2 win over Tripathi on court six, pulling ahead 3–2. However, Hoogmartens delivered under pressure, grinding out a 7–5, 0–6, 6–4 victory over Jack Anthrop on court four to make it 3–3 and set up a winner-take-all showdown.
With the entire championship on his racquet, van Loben Sels battled Bernard on court two. After splitting the first two sets, van Loben Sels took control late, sealing the match — and the Big Ten title — with a 7–6(5), 5–7, 6–3 win after three hours and 32 minutes on court.
The victory extended UCLA’s winning streak to eight and snapped Ohio State’s home dominance, making history in the Bruins’ inaugural Big Ten season.
Match Summary:
#22 UCLA: 4, #6 Ohio State: 3
Doubles:
UCLA Johnson/Tripathi def. OSU Carpico/Filin, 6–2
UCLA Ballotta/van Loben Sels def. OSU Bernard/Nakashima, 6–4
UCLA Hoogmartens/Revelli vs. OSU Jansen/Kim, 5–4 unfinished
Singles:
OSU Nakashima def. UCLA Johnson, 6–2, 6–4
OSU Kim def. UCLA Quan, 7–6 (7–3), 6–2
UCLA Bigun def. OSU Jansen, 6–2, 7–5
OSU Stearns def. UCLA Tripathi, 6–3, 2–6, 6–2
UCLA Hoogmartens def. OSU Anthrop, 7–5, 0–6, 6–4
UCLA van Loben Sels def. OSU Bernard, 7–6 (7–5), 5–7, 6–3
What’s Ahead:
The Bruins await their NCAA tournament fate, with the NCAA First and Second Rounds set for May 3 and 4. After making history in the Big Ten, UCLA will look to carry its championship momentum onto the national stage and keep their hot streak alive.
Featured Image Photographed by Brianna Carlson/Daily Bruin
