Men's tennis enjoying fab start

The Michigan men's tennis team opens up its Big Ten dual-match season this weekend with two road matches against Iowa and Wisconsin.

Michigan will begin the conference season firing on all cylinders.

The team is off to a scintillating start, finishing with a 7-1 record in its non-conference matches.

"Everyone on the team, has been playing well, and I am looking forward to the Big Ten season," freshman Ben Cox said.

On Saturday, Michigan and Iowa will meet on the court for the 41st time. Michigan has a commanding 36-4 advantage in the all-time series record. Last year, the Wolverines dominated the Hawkeyes, 6-1.

Michigan and Wisconsin have competed in 69 meets during their storied rivalry with the Wolverines notching an impressive 61-7-1 record.

The Wolverines defeated the Badgers twice last season. Michigan won 5-2 in a regular season matchup and more importantly was also victorious, 4-3, in the first round of the Big Ten Championships.

The Wolverine's current 7-1 start is their best since the 1979-80 season. That year, Michigan had an 18-1 record, and also captured the Big Ten title.

In the team's last meet against Louisville, senior co-captain Will Farah won his 90th match. Farah became only the sixth Wolverine to win 90 matches.

Currently, no one is hotter than Michigan freshman Ben Cox, who is rides an eight-match winning streak at No. 6 singles into this weekend.

Cox is tied for the team lead in victories with 15, and has a team-best .789 winning percentage. Cox will indeed be looking to extend his winning streak in this weekend's matches.

03-25-99