April 13, 2003

The top-ranked Illini men's tennis team moved its season record to 21-0 with a 6-1 victory over No. 58 Michigan at the Atkins Tennis Center this afternoon. The win set a school record for consecutive dual-match triumphs. The previous record was 20 during the 1999-2000 season. Another record from that same year was also shattered today--Graydon Oliver posted 18 singles victories in a row. Today it was freshman Pramod Dabir that took the spotlight. His 6-1, 6-4 decision over Josef Fischer in the No. 5 match was his 19th in succession. The Saratoga, Calif., native hasn't lost since Nov. 16. Interstingly enough, Dabir won his first three matches as an Illini back in September before losing his next four. He hasn't lost since.

"Very few freshmen can be that consistent," said UI Head Coach Craig Tiley of Dabir. "He's very talented, he's one of our quickest, most talented players, and he's very smart. With all of that going for him, it's going to be hard to keep him out of the regular singles lineup any more."

Three other Illini players won their singles matches in straight sets. Fourth-ranked Amer Delic whipped No. 121 Michael Rubin, 6-3, 6-4, at the No. 1 spot; No. 122 Michael Calkins took care of the Wolverines' Chris Shaya, 6-3, 6-2, in the No. 3 match; and Chris Martin eased past David Anving at No. 4, 6-1, 6-2. Sophomore Evan Zeder made the best of a rare appearance in the Illini lineup, winning over Michigan's Vineeth Gossain in the No. 6 slot, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4. The only disappointment all afternoon, from an Illinois perspective, was Phil Stolt's inability to preserve the shutout. The tall junior came from behind to force a super-tiebreaker, but ended up losing to Anthony Jackson, 7-6 (4), 4-6, (13-11).

The match was never in doubt. The Illini jumped on the Wolverines from the very start. Rajeev Ram and Brian Wilson, the No. 16 doubles team in the country, blitzed the visitors' Jackson and Fischer, 8-0, at No. 1, as did Dabir and Conner Murnighan against Michigan's Rubin and Gossain in the No. 3 match. Stolt and Martin had little trouble with Shaya and Chris Rolf. The result was an 8-3 victory for the Illini in the tussle at No. 2.

"Our guys showed better energy today," said Tiley. "It was a perfect day for tennis, and we had great community support. That means a lot to our players.

"Phil Stolt has been so good all year long," he continued. "It was disappointing that he couldn't step up when he had to today. On the other hand, Evan Zeder showed a lot of fight in his match; that win will be very good for his confidence."

Today's win gives Illinois an 8-0 conference record going into the final week of regular-season play. The Orange and Blue, after a couple of days off this week, will head to Indiana and Purdue next weekend. The Big Ten Conference post-season tournament will be conducted the following weekend at Northwestern. The Wolverines fall to 1-7 in Big Ten play; they are 6-12 overall.

at No. 1 ILLINOIS 6, No. 58 Michigan 1

SINGLES:
1. No. 4 Amer Delic (ILL) def. Michael Rubin (MICH)       6-3, 6-4
2. Anthony Jackson (MICH) def. No. 13 Phil Stolt (ILL)    7-6 (4), 4-6, (13-11)
3. No. 122 Michael Calkins (ILL) def. Chris Shaya (MICH)  6-3, 6-2
4. Chris Martin (ILL) def. David Anving (MICH)            6-1, 6-2
5. Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. Josef Fischer (MICH)           6-1, 6-4
6. Evan Zeder (ILL) def. Vineeth Gossain (MICH)           3-6, 6-2, 6-4

DOUBLES:
1. No. 16 Brian Wilson/Rajeev Ram (ILL) def. Anthony Jackson/Josef Fischer (MICH)  8-0
2. Phil Stolt/Chris Martin (ILL) def. Chris Shaya/Chris Rolf (MICH)                8-3
3. Pramod Dabir/Conner Murnighan (ILL) def. Michael Rubin/Vineeth Gossain (MICH)   8-0