TCU holds off Ohio State in 4-3 thriller

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TCU holds off Ohio State in 4-3 thriller
TCU team celebrates with No. 8 junior Duncan Chan after he takes down No. 11 junior Aidan Kim to send the Horned Frogs to the semifinals.

Athens, GA — No. 6 TCU is headed to the semifinal for the fourth-straight year after taking down No. 3 seed Ohio State, extending its win streak to 12 matches.

The Horned Frogs (25-5) took the doubles point and quickly secured a straight-set victory on Court 6, but it wasn't a simple path to victory from there. No. 31 redshirt junior Preston Stearns of Ohio State took down No. 42 senior Cosme Rolland De Ravel in straight sets, and the momentum began to slide the way of the Buckeyes (32-5).

Soon, Ohio State took Court 5 as junior Bryce Nakashima was surging against freshman Albert Pedrico Kravtsov, as he would go on to win 6-2, 7-6(6). Kratsov had opportunities to force a third set, but couldn't get over the line in the second set.

TCU regained the lead as No. 55 sophomore Cooper Woestendick pulled off the upset versus redshirt senior No. 32 Jack Anthrop 6-3, 7-6(4).

But the Buckeyes once again leveled it as No. 95 sophomore Nikita Filin fought through some struggles to take down freshman Oliver Bonding 2-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Tied at 3-3, it all came down to Court 1 — No. 8 junior Duncan Chan versus No. 11 junior Aidan Kim. Kim took the first set 6-4, and Chan took the second 6-4. When Filin leveled the match, both were fairly even until Chan pulled ahead to send TCU back to the semis.

TCU will face No. 2 seed Texas at 10 a.m. Saturday with a chance to secure a spot in the championship match for the third-straight year.