University of Illinois
Minnesota
Illini Rebound with 6-1 Win Over Minnesota
April 10, 2010 | Men's Tennis
April 10, 2010
Box Score
URBANA, Ill. - After a tough one-point loss at Kentucky earlier in the week, the 13th-ranked Illini men's tennis team (13-8, 5-0 Big Ten) bounced back with a 6-1 victory over Minnesota (9-8, 2-3) Saturday afternoon at the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex. Junior Abe Souza improved to a team-and career-best 27-5 overall with his sixth straight win of the season.
"The wind was a big factor today, but I think Abe handled it well," head coach Brad Dancer said. "He did a great job staying strong. From an energy standpoint, Johnny Hamui showed a lot of leadership today in both singles and doubles. His commitment was excellent and sometimes it's difficult to play your best outside with the conditions, but I'm pleased with what he was able to do out there. Marek (Czerwinski) did a great job of remaining steady and believing in himself when he was down. He continues to show a lot of toughness."
Hard-fought doubles matches ensued to begin the afternoon, with Souza and Czerwinski capturing the first win of the day at the No. 1 spot, knocking off the 27th-ranked duo of Sebastian Gallego and Phillip Arndt, 8-5. The final two matches proved to be slightly tougher, as Connor Roth and Stephen Hoh were able to hold off Tobias Wernet and Rok Bonin, 9-8 (7) to clinch the doubles point for the Illini, but Minnesota was able to avoid the sweep with a win at the No. 3 spot.
No. 85 Souza and No. 35 Nevolo cruised in singles to put the Illini ahead 3-0, before Hamui clinched the win with a 6-3, 6-1 defeat of Dino Bilankov. Illinois collected two additional come-from-behind victories from Hoh and No. 57 Czerwinski, as Hoh rallied past Brendan Ruddock, 4-6, 6-0, 6-1, while Czerwinski, who lost the first seven games of the match, fought back to defeat No. 105 Wernet, 0-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2.
The Illini are back in action Sunday at noon to host Iowa at the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex.
Match Results
#13 Illinois 6, #39 Minnesota 1
Singles competition
1. #35 Dennis Nevolo (ILL) def. #66 Sebastian Gallego (MINN) 6-2, 6-2
2. #57 Marek Czerwinski (ILL) def. #105 Tobias Wernet (MINN) 0-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2
3. #85 Abe Souza (ILL) def. Rok Bonin (MINN) 6-2, 6-1
4. Johnny Hamui (ILL) def. Dino Bilankov (MINN) 6-3, 6-1
5. Phillip Arndt (MINN) def. Connor Roth (ILL) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
6. Stephen Hoh (ILL) def. Brendan Ruddock (MINN) 4-6, 6-0, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Abe Souza/Marek Czerwinski (ILL) def. #27 Sebastian Gallego/Phillip Arndt (MINN) 8-5
2. Connor Roth/Stephen Hoh (ILL) def. Tobias Wernet/Rok Bonin (MINN) 9-8 (7-1)
3. Dino Bilankov/Julian Dehn (MINN) def. #60 Dennis Nevolo/Johnny Hamui (ILL) 9-8 (7-4)
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (3,1,4,6,5,2)
