URBANA - Undefeated yet this season, Aryan Sachdev won his fifth match last Wednesday after defeating Urbana High School's Xander Ashley at #1 singles. The two-time state qualifier and senior at Urbana University won in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1.
Photo:Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Finishing his junior year with a 13-5 record in singles and 8-1 in doubles, he is looking good for a third trip to state and a deeper run into the championship bracket.
At the 2023 IHSA state tournament, Sachdev lost his first-round match to Olney senior Evan Uhl, 6-0, 6-1. Working his way back through the consolation draw, he made quick work of Belvidere North senior Jack Dickerson, 6-1, 6-0. Later, he dropped his second-round consolation match 6-2, 6-4 to Morton's Carter Kendall.
During his state appearance his sophomore year, Sachdev finished 2-2, losing to Alleman's Nicholas Patrick and later Sterling's Brecken Peterson in an 8-game pro set. As a sophomore, he showed resilience in his two wins, the first over Rockford Christian's Chatham Mcilroy, and edging out a 9-7 victory over Highland's Tyler Kutz.
Sachdev started playing tennis when he was eight with his dad, a huge tennis fan. As he chilled with teammates after his match at Blair Park, we thought it would be a great time to hit Urbana's top prep tennis player with six questions.
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SENTINEL: What is your dream job?
SACHDEV: Dermatologist.
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SENTINEL: What is your favorite pre-game meal or snack?
SACHDEV: Dave's Hot Chicken.
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SENTINEL: Three people you would like to have dinner with?
SACHDEV: Roger Federer, Barack Obama, and Prince.
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SENTINEL: Your favorite actor or actress?
SACHDEV: Leonardo DiCaprio.
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SENTINEL: Which movie describes your life so far?
SACHDEV: Diary of a Whimpy Kid.
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SENTINEL: What is your favorite Taylor Swift song?
SACHDEV: Shake It Off
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