SPORTS BRIEF: Crimson drops to 0-3 on spring season, wins one singles set in shutout against No. 3 Illinois in Urbana

The No. 51 Harvard men’s tennis team fell to 0-3 on the spring season with a shutout loss at No. 3 Illinois Saturday night.

The Fighting Illini swept the doubles point, clinching with the first and third matches, and then rolled to six singles victories—five in straight sets—for the 7-0 win.

Only captain Brandon Chiu stretched his match to a third set, dropping the fourth slot 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. Meanwhile, freshman Chris Clayton pushed his opponent in the No. 3 match to a 5-7, 6-7 (3) decision, and junior Scott Denenberg took four games off his opponent in each set in the sixth slot.

Three of Illinois’ singles players are ranked in the top-60, including No. 7 Ryler DeHeart, who felled Brian Want 6-4, 6-3 in the top match.

The Crimson now has two weekends off before its home opener March 5 in the Murr Center against Michigan State.