MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Despite closing out conference play on a 7-2 run, the No. 5-seeded Purdue women's tennis team lost its opening match at the 2018 Big Ten Women's Tennis Tournament on Friday. Both the Boilermakers and Buckeyes received first round byes, finishing tied for fourth in the regular season with Nebraska, but it was the No. 4 seed that secured a 4-1 victory in the quarterfinal dual.
In doubles against Ohio State, the Boilermakers fell on the lower two courts, 6-3 and 6-2 respectively.
In singles, Seira Shimizu notched Purdue's sole point of the match, defeating Emma DeCoste 6-1, 6-0 at the fourth position. Additionally, the victory improves the freshman's overall record to 18-5 - a team best.
Ena Babic and Alex Sabe both lost their contests in straight sets. The first was bested by No. 99 Shiori Fukuda 6-1, 6-3 on court two, while the later was defeated 6-0, 6-4 by Olivia Sneed on three.
To end the dual, No. 108 Silvia Ambrosio fell in three to No. 55 Anna Sanford 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.
The conference loss likely marks the end of Purdue's 2017-18 season, as the Boilermakers will remain unranked heading into Tuesday's NCAA Tournament selection show.
2018 Big Ten Women's Tennis Tournament
Purdue Boilermakers vs Ohio State Buckeyes
April 27, 2018 – 10 a.m. ET
OSU 4, PUR 1
Singles Competition
1. Sanford (OSU) def. Ambrosio (PUR) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
2. Fukuda (OSU) def. Babic (PUR) 6-1, 6-3
3. Sneed (OSU) def. Sabe (PUR) 6-0, 6-4
4. Shimizu (PUR) def. DeCoste (OSU) 6-1, 6-0
5. Calkins (PUR) vs. Wolf (OSU) 7-6, 1-6, 2-2 (unfinished)
6. Dovnik (PUR) vs. Hurley (OSU) 4-6, 6-4, 0-3 (unfinished)
Doubles Competition
1. Purdue 1 (PUR) vs. Ohio State 1 (OSU) 4-5 (unfinished)
2. Ohio State 2 (OSU) def. Purdue 2 (PUR) 6-3
3. Ohio State 3 (OSU) def. Purdue 3 (PUR) 6-2