No. 51 Oregon men’s tennis (14-9, 5-7 Big Ten) had a strong start against the No. 21 UCLA Bruins (15-6, 9-3 Big Ten), but after coming out on top in a fierce doubles match, it could not keep up in singles and was defeated 4-2. The Ducks were happy to see Lachlan Robertson back in action after he left the court on crutches the last time they were home, but the lineup was not back at full strength as the team announced that Matthew Burton’s season is over.

“He was playing really good tennis,” head coach Nils Schyllander said. “Very unlucky.”

Schyllander did not disclose the reason for Burton’s absence.

In doubles, the reshuffled lineup did not affect the Ducks’ ability to execute. All three Oregon pairs had a 2-1 lead to start, but UCLA would not go away. After a near comeback in the final match, the Ducks held on for the 2-1 win.

Cameron Burton and Sam Olszakowski were unable to carry the momentum from there and were defeated 6-3. Vlad Breazu and Declan Galligan carried their match the whole way through. Their opponents got one more game towards the end, but they finished it off with a 6-2 win. Pierre Mouesca and Lachlan Robertson had the advantage for a while longer. They moved to a 5-2 lead. Their opponents came alive after that and nearly came back to tie it, but Mouesca and Robertson held on for the 6-4 win to give Oregon the doubles point.

In singles, the Bruins found their fire and took over. The Ducks had a little more in them, but every singles match ended after the second set.

“We played pretty good,” Schyllander said. “They were just better. There’s a reason they’re ranked where they are.”

Robertson struggled in his first singles match back from injury. His first set started out close, but gradually got away from him as he was defeated 6-2. He fell behind again in his second set in what was another 6-2 loss to give UCLA its first point of the match.

Cameron Burton had a nice lead to start and never let up as he easily took the first set 6-2. He took the lead again to start his second set. His opponent showed more fight this time, but Burton held on for the 6-4 win to give Oregon its only singles point.

“I’m very pleased to see our freshman win, and then our other freshman being up,” Schyllander said.

Olszakowski was in a tight battle for most of his first set, but he came through in the end for a 6-4 win. He was trailing to start his second set. Olszakowski received several pointers from his coach throughout the second set. He kept it close, but it would not be finished.

“I was just trying to implement the thing we’ve been working on in practice,” Schyllander said. “Have him stay on task with what he’s working on. It’s kind of fun to see the evolution overseas and how much better he’s constructing his points right now.”

Mouesca spent the first set trading games with his opponent, who ultimately stepped up at the end to claim a 6-4 win. The second set was just as tight to start, but it got away from him again as he was defeated 6-3 to end his match.

Galligan was trailing early. He made it close towards the end, but fell short 6-4. Nothing went right for Galligan in the second set as he was defeated 6-1 to end his match moments before UCLA claimed the match altogether.

Breazu was behind to start and never really got going, losing 6-2. His second set was a lot closer at first, but it eventually got away from Breazu as he was beaten 6-3 to give the Bruins the match.

The Ducks close out the regular season this Sunday, April 19, when they celebrate Senior Day and host the USC Trojans at 11 a.m.