University of Louisville
Eastern Kentucky
Cards Dominate Season Opening Doubleheader
January 14, 2026 | Men's Tennis
Ahouda earned two singles victories and one doubles victory on the day
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -Â The University of Louisville men's tennis team opened the season with a sweep in its doubleheader against Eastern Kentucky, with a final score of 4-0 in both matches.
"Really happy about the guys' energy today," said head coach Rodrigo da Silva. " The first match of the year can always be a little tricky, but the boys played with a lot of passion and poise. Now it is back to work and getting ready for Cornell on Friday."
Louisville 4, Eastern Kentucky 0
The Cards got the edge in doubles play early with the No. 59-ranked duo of Hamza El Amine and Walid Ahouda earning a 6-2 win on Court 2. André Steinbach and Matei Onofrei later clinched the doubles point for UofL on Court 1 after securing a 6-4 victory.Â
In singles competition, Louisville added to their lead with Onofrei finishing first on Court 5, notching a win in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2.Â
Ahouda wasn't far behind, claiming a 6-1, 6-4 victory on Court 1, bringing the Cardinals within one point of clinching.Â
El Amine claimed the victory for the Cards as he came out on top, 6-4, 6-3 on Court 2.
Louisville 4, Eastern Kentucky 0
The second match opened with Louisville's Onofrei and Steinbach taking the first match 6-1 on Court 2. After not being able to complete their match in the earlier contest, Russell Lokko and Pedro Cressoni went on to clinch the doubles point for Louisville, 6-2 on Court 3.A medical resignation from EKU's Romeo Elfving Navarro gave Onofrei UofL's first singles point.
Sophomore Louis Chusseau collected Louisville's second singles point in straight sets to put the Cards within reach of match point.
Ahouda claimed his second singles win of the day by defeating Joao Barreto in straight sets, helping the Cards clinch their second 4-0 win of the day.
The Cards will be back in action on Friday, January 16th, against Cornell at 5 p.m. at Bass-Rudd Tennis Center.
Louisville 4, Eastern Kentucky 0
Singles Competition
- No. 68 Walid Ahouda (LOU) def Nuno Pinheiro (EKU) 6-1, 6-4
- No. 122 Hamza El Amine (LOU) def Marek Nano (EKU) 6-4, 6-3
- André Steinbach (LOU) vs. Fernando Bulnes (EKU) 6-1, 2-6, 4-0, unfinished
- Pedro Cressoni (LOU) vs. Joao Barreto (EKU) 7-5, 1-3, unfinished
- Matei Onofrei (LOU) def. Adrian Contreras (EKU) 6-1, 6-2
- Louis Chusseau (LOU) vs. Ilie Cazac (EKU) 1-6, 6-2, 5-1, unfinished
- No. 59 Hamza El Amine/Walid Ahouda (LOU) def. Fernando Bulnes/Joao Barreto (EKU) 6-4
- Matei Onofrei/André Steinbach (LOU) def. Nuno Pinheiro/Ilie Cazac (EKU) 6-4
- Russell Lokko/Pedro Cressoni (LOU) vs. Marek Nano/Adrian Contreras (EKU) unfinished
Louisville 1-0
Eastern Kentucky 0-1
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (5,1,2)
T-2:15
Louisville 4, Eastern Kentucky 0
Singles Competition
- Andre Steinbach (LOU) vs Nuno Pinheiro (EKU) 6-2, 5-2, unfinished
- Walid Ahouda (LOU) def Loao Barreto (EKU) 6-1, 6-4
- Matei Onofrei (LOU) def Romeo Elfving Navarro (EKU) 5-1, retired
- Pedro Cressoni (LOU) vs Adrian Contreras (EKU) 6-3, 0-1, unfinished
- Louis Chusseau (LOU) def Kartik Parhar (EKU) 6-0, 6-1
- Jerald Carroll (LOU) vs Pepe Miralles (EKU)6-1, 4-6, 0-0, unfinished
- Walid Ahounda/El Amine (LOU) vs Nuno Pinheira/Illie Cazac (EKU) 4-4, unfinished
- Matei Onofrei/Andre Steinback (LOU) def Fernando Bulnes/Joao Barreto (EKU) 6-1
- Russell Lokko/ Pedro Cressoni (LOU) def Adrian Contreras/Marek Nano (EKU) 6-2
Louisville: 2-0
Eastern Kentucky: 0-2
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (3,5,2)
T-1:50
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
2,1
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
5,1,2
Players Mentioned
