Now 7-0 at the beginning of this year’s men’s tennis season, the third-ranked Tar Heels have accomplished the feat the hard way–picking up their third straight win over a team ranked in the top 20 on Tuesday, with a tough 4-3 victory over No. 16 TCU at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center in Chapel Hill.

This win follows a 4-2 triumph over No. 17 Michigan on Jan. 28 and a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over No. 12 Illinois this past weekend.

UNC clinched the doubles point early on against TCU to avoid falling behind this time, before Blaine Boyden, Mack Kiger and Benjamin Sigouin ultimately sweept the first three singles matches to clinch the team win.

TCU (3-2) then took the last three singles matches to make the final score appear closer that it truly was.

The Tar Heels were also without their top singles player–No. 2 ranked William Blumberg–against the Horned Frogs as well, after head coach Sam Paul removed him from the lineup following the doubles portion of the dual, saying he was a little banged up and needed rest.

“This is a very good win for us,” Paul said afterward. “That’s a team that was points away last year from being in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. They’re a well-coached, tough team and certainly one of the more talented teams we’ve had in here. I knew it would be a tough match so I’m very happy to get the doubles point and then win the match.”

 

Photo via UNC Athletics