TCU Sweeps OU, Reaches Big 12 Semifinals

Saturday, April 24

Waco, Texas

3 PM

TCU

Oklahoma

TCU Sweeps OU, Reaches Big 12 Semifinals

4/24/2021 6:43:00 PM | Men's Tennis

The Horned Frogs will battle Baylor on Sunday at 4 p.m. for a spot in the Big 12 title game

WACO, Texas – No. 7 TCU men's tennis (16-6, 4-1) started off the 2021 Big 12 Tennis tournament on the right foot, claiming a 4-0 sweep over No. 26 Oklahoma in the first round of play. The Horned Frogs won the doubles point, before winning at No. 4, 5 and 6 in singles play to set up a semifinal matchup against No. 3 Baylor, tomorrow afternoon.

This was the fifth sweep of the season for TCU and the second over Oklahoma, also Jan. 24. The Frogs win the season series against the Sooners, 3-0, with a combined score of 13-2.

All three singles victories came from freshmen: Jake Fearnley, Tadeas Paroulek and Tomas Jirousek. All three were playing in their first postseason action as a Horned Frogs after their seasons were cut short last year.

"Anytime you win matches in the postseason, something must have gone well," head coach David Roditi said "It was a really good college match. Our guys at the bottom of the lineup, the freshmen, came through in straight sets. I thought they handled a lot of critical moments really well, winning a lot of deuce points. I'm proud of our freshman class for their effort. It was a huge doubles point. I thought that set the tone. The Landlord, Sander Jong came up with some huge return winners in a tight situation to break in that match. We'll take it. Now, we have an absolute war tomorrow against Baylor, at Baylor. Here we go. Regardless, it will be a great college match and we'll hope it all goes well. Go Frogs!"

Doubles Results
1. #7 Luc Fomba/Alastair Gray (TCU) def. Max Stewart/Mark Mandlik (OU) 6-4
2. Sander Jong/Tadeas Paroulek (TCU) def. Jake Van Emburgh/Alex Martinez (OU) 7-5
3. Mason Beiler/Nathan Han (OU) def. Jake Fearnley/Bertus Kruger (TCU) 6-4
Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2

QUICK HITS

The Horned Frogs won the doubles point for the 14^th time this season, using wins from No. 1 and No. 2.
Alastair Gray and Luc Fomba held serve throughout their match on one, using a break to go in front 4-3 and hold on for a 6-4 victory.
They improve to 12-6 together this season, including wins in four of their lats five completed matches.
Sander Jong and Paroulek clinched the doubles point for TCU with a 7-5 victory on court two.
Jong/Paroulek got a break to go ahead, 4-3, only to suffer a break right back, 4-4. Jong's work in the return game earned them their second break of the match, 6-5, before Paroulek served out the set.
The win improves their record to 11-4 this season and 10-3 in dual competition.
They have won their last four completed matches, tying the longest winning streak of their careers.
The Horned Frogs collected there three singles wins from three freshmen in the bottom of the lineup, Jake Fearnley, Tomas Jirousek and Tadeas Paroulek.
This was the first time TCU had secured a sweep from the bottom three singles players since the Elite 8 run in 2019 (March 13 at Tennessee).
Paroulek secured the first point of singles on court six, winning in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.
He broke a three-match losing streak today, posting his seventh victory of the season.
Paroulek was the only 2-0 Horned Frog of the day. It was his fourth perfect day of the campaign.
Fearnley continued his impeccable run of form, winning in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4 at No. 4.
He improves to 8-2 this dual season and 4-1 at the No. 4 spot.
He has now won five consecutive matches, the longest winning streak of his career
Over his last five matches, Fearnley has won 10 out of 11 sets with six of those sets coming by at least four games.
This was his first straight set win away from the purple courts this season.
Tomas Jirousek clinched the match with a 6-3, 6-4 victory on court five.
He improves to 7-4 this season, this was his first result at No. 5.
This was just his second start of the month, after dealing with injuries. He is 2-0 in April.
TCU is now 63-41 in singles matches this dual season.
TCU won its first conference tournament match since 2017, breaking a two-match losing streak.

Singles Results
1. #12 Alastair Gray (TCU) vs. #102 Jake Van Emburgh (OU) 5-7, 3-3, unfinished
2. #19 Luc Fomba (TCU) vs. #70 Mason Beiler (OU) 6-2, 3-6, 1-2, unfinished
3. #75 Sander Jong (TCU) vs. Alex Martinez (OU) 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), 0-0, unfinished
4. #105 Jake Fearnley (TCU) def. Nathan Han (OU) 6-4, 6-4
5. #100 Tomas Jirousek (TCU) def. Welsh Hotard (OU) 6-3, 6-4
6. Tadeas Paroulek (TCU) def. Mark Mandlik (OU) 6-4, 6-4
Order of Finish: 6, 4, 5

For more information on TCU men's tennis, visit gofrogs.com and follow the team on social media: @TCUMensTennis on twitter, Facebook and the all new men's tennis Instagram.