University of Illinois
Wisconsin
No. 11 Illini Edge Wisconsin, 4-3
March 21, 2010 | Men's Tennis
March 21, 2010
Box Score
MADISON, Wis. - Despite falling behind early after doubles, the 11th-ranked Illini men's tennis team (10-5, 2-0 Big Ten) buckled down in singles to top host Wisconsin (10-5, 0-1) for the third straight time with a 4-3 victory Sunday afternoon at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium. The team's sixth straight win also was a milestone for head coach Brad Dancer, who picked up his 100th win at the helm for Illinois and his 156th career victory overall.
"I really owe it to all the players I've coached over the years here," Dancer said of the milestone. "It was the players who did all the winning. Today, Marek (Czerwinski) continued to be a great model for everyone and an inspiration to coach. In doubles, it was the most uncomfortable we've looked all year. We were without the swagger and fluidity we want to have. I'm not sure if it was the TV cameras or that it's always a tough place to play at, but I'm glad our guys stayed with it and battled back. The key all year for us has been resiliency and the guys epitomized that today."
The Badgers took the early advantage with wins at Nos. 1 and 2 doubles, but singles proved to be a different story, as the Illini hung on to claim four of six matches, including two in three sets. Junior Johnny Hamui got the team on the board at No. 4 singles, as he topped Luke Rassow-Kantor, 6-4, 6-1, before freshman Stephen Hoh evened the score at two apiece with a defeat of Billy Bertha, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, and classmate Bruno Abdelnour gave Illinois a 3-2 advantage after rallying past Michael Dierberger, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2. With one point remaining, No. 64 senior Marek Czerwinski held on to upset No. 13 Moritz Baumann, 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-3 to clinch the victory for the Illini. It was Czerwinski's second victory over an opponent ranked in the top-20 and fifth overall, while Hoh picked up his sixth straight.
The Illini return home to host Pac-10 powerhouse and 13th-ranked Stanford on Tuesday, March 23 at 3 p.m. at the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex.
Match Results
#34 Wisconsin 3, #11 Illinois 4
Singles competition
1. #25 Marek Michalicka (WIS) def. #36 Dennis Nevolo (ILL) 6-2, 7-5
2. #64 Marek Czerwinski (ILL) def. #13 Moritz Baumann (WIS) 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-3
3. #116 Patrick Pohlmann (WIS) def. #77 Abe Souza (ILL) 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(5)
4. Johnny Hamui (ILL) def. Luke Rassow-Kantor (WIS) 6-4, 6-1
5. Stephen Hoh (ILL) def. Billy Bertha (WIS) 6-3, 1-6, 6-3
6. Bruno Abdelnour (ILL) def. Michael Dierberger (WIS) 1-6, 6-3, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. #11 Baumann/Michalicka (WIS) def. #68 Czerwinski/Hoh (ILL) 8-4
2. Dierberger/Rassow-Kantor (WIS) def. Souza/Roth (ILL) 9-7
3. Nevolo/Abdelnour (ILL) def. Freeman/Pohlmann (WIS) 8-5
Order of finish: Doubles: (2,1,3) Singles: (1,4,5,6,2,3)
