No. 23 Kentucky fell to No. 25 Illinois, losing 4-2 in the ITA Kickoff Weekend Consolation match. Kentucky initially secured the doubles point with strong performances on court No. 1 and No. 2. However, Illinois rebounded in singles, clinching the match with crucial victories including a comeback win by Gabriel Debru over Nicolas Arseneault, who held match points. Eli Stephenson continued his dominance with a win over a ranked opponent, marking his eighth victory this season. The Wildcats will look to regroup as they head back to Lexington for an eight-match homestand starting January 30 against Louisville.

By the Numbers
  • Kentucky secured the doubles point by winning 6-1 and 6-0 in court matches.
  • Eli Stephenson improved to 15-3 overall and 4-0 in the dual season after his win against No. 87 Adam Jilly.
Yes, But

Despite securing the doubles point, Kentucky's performance highlights a struggle in singles play, particularly with their inability to close out matches even while leading.

State of Play
  • Kentucky drops to 3-2 on the season, facing consecutive losses.
  • Illinois improves to 1-2 with their first victory of the season.
What's Next

Kentucky prepares to face rival Louisville at home, which will be a crucial opportunity to bounce back and regain momentum in the season.

Bottom Line

The match against Illinois underscores the need for Kentucky to solidify their singles play if they hope to compete effectively, especially in upcoming home matches.