University Southern California Trojans
Saturday, January 24
Berkeley, Calif.
11:00 AM PT
USC
4
vs
1
Cal
Photo by: Kevin Kim
No. 21 USC Men's Tennis Conquers No. 15 Cal 4-1
January 24, 2026 | Men's Tennis
The Trojans win four straight in singles to take the match.
BERKELEY, Calif. — No. 21 USC men's tennis earned a statement win on Friday afternoon, defeating No. 15 California, 4-1, in the consolation match of ITA Kickoff Weekend at the Hellman Tennis Complex. With the victory, the Trojans improved to 3-2 overall on the season.
After dropping the doubles point, USC responded with four straight singles victories to secure the match. Cal opened the day by taking the doubles point with wins on courts one and two, while USC's pair of Max Exsted and Nathan Trouve won 6-4 on court three.
The Trojans flipped momentum quickly in singles. Niels Hoffmann was first off the court, evening the match at 1-1 with a straight-sets win on court five, 6-3, 6-4. Moments later, Nathan Trouve put USC in front with a composed 7-5, 6-4 victory on court two over Timofey Stepanov.
USC extended its lead when Max Exsted battled back from a first-set deficit to claim a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 win on court four, giving the Trojans a 3-1 advantage. The clincher came on court three, where Jack McCarthy outlasted Filip Lechno-Wasiutyski in three sets, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, sealing Troy's comeback victory.
Matches on courts one and six were left unfinished following the clinch.
USC will return to Berkeley next weekend as the Trojans face Cal in a rematch on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. PT.
After dropping the doubles point, USC responded with four straight singles victories to secure the match. Cal opened the day by taking the doubles point with wins on courts one and two, while USC's pair of Max Exsted and Nathan Trouve won 6-4 on court three.
The Trojans flipped momentum quickly in singles. Niels Hoffmann was first off the court, evening the match at 1-1 with a straight-sets win on court five, 6-3, 6-4. Moments later, Nathan Trouve put USC in front with a composed 7-5, 6-4 victory on court two over Timofey Stepanov.
USC extended its lead when Max Exsted battled back from a first-set deficit to claim a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 win on court four, giving the Trojans a 3-1 advantage. The clincher came on court three, where Jack McCarthy outlasted Filip Lechno-Wasiutyski in three sets, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, sealing Troy's comeback victory.
Matches on courts one and six were left unfinished following the clinch.
USC will return to Berkeley next weekend as the Trojans face Cal in a rematch on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. PT.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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