Ohio State men's tennis eliminated by TCU 4-3 in Elite Eight

Ohio State men's tennis player Preston Stearns hits a backhand shot.

No. 3 Ohio State men's tennis lost in upset fashion to No. 6 TCU in the 2026 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in Athens, Georgia, on May 14, playing all seven matches but ultimately falling 4-3.

Undefeated in tournament matches entering the Elite Eight, the Buckeyes received an early blow by getting swept in the first doubles match, with TCU's Abert Pedrico and Cooper Woestendick beating Alexander Bernard and Alex Okonkwo 6-0. Ohio State's Aidan Kim and Bryce Nakashima dropped a 6-4 match to TCU's Oliver Bonding and Maximus Dussault, with the Horned Frogs earning the doubles point.

In singles play, TCU's Roger Pascual rolled past Ohio State's Alexander Bernard in two sets (6-2, 6-2) to earn a 2-0 team lead. The Buckeyes received momentum from Preston Stearns and Bryce Nakishama, who each won singles matches in two sets to even the score.

Ohio State men's tennis player Aidan Kim celebrates a point.

After losing his first set against Woestendick 6-3, Ohio State's Jack Anthrop forced a tiebreaker in the second set, but lost 7-4, putting the Horned Frogs on the verge of clinching a Final Four berth.

Down 3-2, Ohio State's Nikita Filin reverse-swept Oliver Bonding (2-6, 6-2, 6-2) to win his 20th singles match in a row, once again evening the team score. It left the winner-take-all singles match between Ohio State's Kim and TCU's Duncan Chan.