University of Illinois
Wisconsin
#17 Illini Roll Past Wisconsin, 6-1
March 30, 2012 | Men's Tennis
March 30, 2012
URBANA, Ill. - The 17th-ranked Fighting Illini men's tennis team (10-3, 4-0 Big Ten) captured its fifth straight win with a convincing 6-1 decision over Wisconsin (8-8, 0-4) Friday evening at Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex. The Orange and Blue came from behind after dropping the doubles point, sweeping singles for the fourth time this season. The five-match winning streak marks Illinois' longest since winning six straight in 2010.
"I think Bruno (Abdelnour) and Roy (Kalmanovich) were really the guys who stood out to me on the singles court," Illini head coach Brad Dancer said. "Roy was outstanding in terms of his leadership and just going out there and bringing the energy to his opponent all the time. I think that's a testament to the fitness program he's been on and strength he feels out on the court. He brings the noise to the opponent, and that's what I love from him. I thought Bruno played the type of match we want him to play. He came out extremely aggressively and was right where he needed to be."
The Illini dropped the doubles point for the second straight match, taking losses at Nos. 2 and 3 to give the Badgers a 1-0 lead heading into singles play. Senior duo Roy Kalmanovich and Dennis Nevolo, who are ranked 45th in the nation, managed an 8-4 win over Petr Satral and Alexander Kostanov at the No. 1 spot to avoid the doubles sweep.
"We had great leadership from our seniors on the doubles court," Dancer said. "They played with passion the whole way through. They really kept their focus, and that was fantastic. We didn't manage our serves very well in two or three doubles, and that's why we didn't come away with a win."
The Orange and Blue bounced back in singles action, capturing all six matches, including the first five in straight sets. No. 31 Kalmanovich put the Illini on the board with a swift 6-1, 6-2 win over Fredrik Ask at the top spot, followed by a quick 6-4, 6-2 victory over Rod Carey by fourth-ranked Nevolo on Court 2, marking the fifth consecutive win for the Gurnee, Ill., native. Freshman Farris Gosea added a 6-3, 6-2 win over Alex Robles at No. 6 to put the Illini one match away from a dual victory.
Newcomer Tim Kopinski clinched the Illinois win with a 6-2, 7-6(4) decision over Billy Bertha at No. 5 singles, tying Nevolo to lead the team with nine dual victories this season. Meanwhile, junior Bruno Abdelnour claimed his third straight win, taking down Petr Satral, 7-5, 6-1 at the No. 4 spot, while classmate Stephen Hoh finished the day with a 6-0, 2-6, 6-2 win at No. 3 to complete the singles sweep for the Orange and Blue.
Illinois will return to action Sunday at Noon to face Minnesota at Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex. Former Illini All-American and 2006 NCAA doubles champion Kevin Anderson, who is currently the 28th-ranked singles player in the world, will be on hand to sign autographs between doubles and singles play.
Singles
1. #31 Roy Kalmanovich (ILL) def. Fredrik Ask (WIS) 6-1, 6-2
2. #4 Dennis Nevolo (ILL) def. Rod Carey (WIS) 6-4, 6-2
3. Stephen Hoh (ILL) def. Alexander Kostanov (WIS) 6-0, 2-6, 6-2
4. Bruno Abdelnour (ILL) def. Petr Satral (WIS) 7-5, 6-1
5. Tim Kopinski (ILL) def. Billy Bertha (WIS) 6-2, 7-6 (7-4)
6. Farris Gosea (ILL) def. Alex Robles (WIS) 6-3, 6-2
Doubles
1. #45 Roy Kalmanovich/Dennis Nevolo (ILL) def. Petr Satral/Alexander Kostanov (WIS) 8-4
2. Fredrik Ask/Rod Carey (WIS) def. Tim Kopinski/Ross Guignon (ILL) 8-4
3. Billy Bertha/Alex Robles (WIS) def. Farris Gosea/Stephen Hoh (ILL) 8-2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (1,2,6,5,4,3)
