The UTR College Match Challenge: BNP Paribas Open will feature the University of Southern California and Pepperdine University men’s teams facing off in a regular-season dual match on the morning of Sunday, March 19. Fans in Tennis Paradise will have the opportunity to witness the talent and energy of college tennis prior to the ATP and WTA championship matches.
Currently ranked No. 7, the USC men’s team will face a No. 20-ranked Pepperdine squad.
The two teams have battled in highly-competitive dual matches over the past few seasons.Last year, Pepperdine upset USC in their only meeting, when Pepperdine was ranked No. 41 and USC was No. 5. In 2021, the teams faced off twice, with the Waves winning during the regular season and the Trojans getting revenge in the second round of the NCAA tournament on their way to the quarterfinals. USC has won the NCAA championships on a nation-leading 21 occasions, most recently in 2014 and for four years in a row from 2009-2012. Pepperdine has won once in program history, back in 2006.
The UTR College Match Challenge is free of charge to those with a ticket to the tournament.