Ohio State and Michigan to Meet in Men's Tournament Final

EVANSTON, Ill. — Ohio State and Michigan punched their tickets to the Championship Match of the Big Ten Tournament following semifinal wins on Saturday.

Michigan edged Michigan State, 4-3, in a marathon match that will be remembered for years to come. The Spartans (22-6) won the doubles point and built a 3-1 lead before Michigan (16-11) rallied to win the last three singles matches. Patorn Hanchaikul kept the Wolverines' hopes alive by fighting off four match points in a 7-6 (7-3), 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (8-6) win at No. 4 singles.

In a match that lasted 4-hours and 50 minutes, the end came quickly as Michigan (16-11) locked up wins at No. 6 and No. 5 singles within a minute of each other. In a battle of the Top-20 ranked players, 9th-ranked Ozan Baris of Michigan State prevailed over 19th-ranked Gavin Young, 6-1, 2-6, 6-2 at No. 1 singles.

In the day's first match played indoors, Ohio State defeated Nebraska, 4-1.

Ohio State (29-1) dropped the doubles point but quickly recovered to win four-straight singles matches Justin Boulais knocked off Calvin Mueller at No. 1 singles in a showdown between All-Big Ten performers. Alexander Bernard clinched match point for OSU at No. 5 singles.

Nebraska (17-10) earned its double point off the efforts of Nic Wiedenhorn and Anton Shepp at the No. 1 flight and Mueller and Lars Johann at No. 2 doubles.

Ohio State and Michigan square off at Noon CT tomorrow in a rematch of last year's championship final.