TUCSON, Ariz. – A pair of seniors and a freshman played big roles in No. 15 California's 4-0 Pac-12 win at Arizona, with veteran Oskar Wikberg pairing with first-year Golden Bear Gunther Matta to clinch in doubles and then senior Mads Engsted clinching the overall victory at the LaNelle Robson Tennis Center.
Cal improved its overall record to 10-3 and to 2-0 in the Pac-12. Arizona's record fell to 8-11 (0-2 Pac-12).
This marked the first college dual-match action for Matta, who took part in tournament play in the fall.
First in doubles, the pair of Engsted and sophomore J.T. Nishimura beat Naoki Takeda and Will Adkisson, 6-3, on court two. Matta and Wikberg then secured the point with a 6-4 win over Jason Jaruvang and Shoki Kasahara on court three.
In singles, the 62nd-ranked Wikberg bested Harry Busby, 6-1, 6-2, on court four, and junior Filip Bergevi followed with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Jaruvang on court two. Engsted ended the match with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 victory over Kasahara on court six.
“I was pleased with our doubles play today,” Cal head coach Peter Wright said. “Oskar Wikberg and Gunther Matta played well to clinch the doubles point, and we took the momentum into the singles by winning the first set on five courts. Filip Bergevi and Oskar closed out their opponents in straight sets to put us up 3-0, but we struggled a bit to get the fourth point. Arizona fought hard to force a third set in three of the matches, but Mads Engsted played a great third set to clinch the match for us.
“Overall a good showing by our guys this weekend, and we a tough match against San Diego State on Tuesday before heading to L.A. for more Pac-12 action next weekend.”
The Bears host the Aztecs at 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the Hellman Tennis Complex before heading south to play USC on April 1 and UCLA on April 2.
No. 15 California (9-3, 2-0 Pac-12) defeated Arizona (8-11, 0-2 Pac-12) – 4-0
March 26, 2016, in Tucson, Ariz.
LaNelle Robson Tennis Center
Doubles
1. Andre Goransson/Billy Griffith (Cal) vs. Will Kneale/Oliver Plaskett (Arizona) – 4-5 Abandoned
2. Mads Engsted/J.T. Nishimura (Cal) def. Naoki Takeda/Will Adkisson (Arizona) – 6-3
3. Gunther Matta/Oskar Wikberg (Cal) def. Jason Jaruvang/Shoki Kasahara (Arizona) – 6-4
Cal won the doubles point
Order of Finish – 2, 3*
*Clinched the doubles point
Singles
1. No. 40 Billy Griffith (Cal) vs. Naoki Takeda (Arizona) – 5-7, 6-1, 0-1 Abandoned
2. Filip Bergevi (Cal) def. Jason Jaruvang (Arizona) – 6-4, 6-2
3. No. 17 Andre Goransson (Cal) vs. Will Kneale (Arizona) – 7-6, 4-3 Abandoned
4. No. 62 Oskar Wikberg (Cal) def. Harry Busby (Arizona) – 6-1, 6-2
5. J.T. Nishimura (Cal) vs. Trent Botha (Arizona) – 6-1, 2-6, 3-4 Abandoned
6. Mads Engsted (Cal) def. Shoki Kasahara (Arizona) – 4-6, 6-2, 6-0
Order of Finish – 4, 2, 6*
*Clinched the overall match
