IRVINE, Calif. – Graduate student
Hiroki Sakagawa has been named the Big West Men's Tennis Player of the Week the conference office announced Wednesday afternoon.
Â
Sakagawa earned his first career weekly award after getting UC Irvine on the board against No. 11 San Diego with his first ranked singles win of the season.
Â
Playing at the top of the lineup, the Chiba, Japan, native came back from a one-set deficit to defeat No. 103 Manvydas Balciunas in a 10-point tiebreak. After dropping the opener, 6-4, Sakagawa took control with a 6-3 victory in the second frame. He carried the momentum into the third where he upended Balciunas, 10-6.
Â
Sakagawa, who missed last year with an injury, has started the 2026 campaign with a 2-1 record at No. 1 singles.
Â
The Anteaters are back in Irvine next weekend as they are set to host Saint Mary's (Feb. 21) and San Diego State (Feb. 22).
