Feb. 14, 2004

In their first match since winning last weekend's USTA/ITA National Team Indoor title, the Fighting Illini showed no signs of slowing down as they won all six singles matches en route to a 6-1 triumph over No. 6 Duke in Durham, N.C. This was the second match between the two tennis powerhouses in a week. The Illini won the first, 4-3, in the quarterfinal round of the National Indoors. In their first true road match of the season the Illini improved to 8-0, and extended their match winning streak to 40 (five wins shy of tying the NCAA record). The win tonight over Duke was the fourth straight victory for the Orange and Blue over a top-ten team (No. 8 Duke, No. 5 Stanford, No. 6 UCLA and No. 6 Duke).

"This is a very good Duke team--they're ranked No. 6, but I think they are one of the top four teams in the country," said Head Coach Craig Tiley. "For us to come off a tough week at the National Indoors, to travel, have a short week of practice and travel again and win like this, is very satisfying. I'm very proud of all of the guys."

As in the first match, the Illini were unable to win the doubles point, but bounced back in singles. Illinois is 2-0 on the season after falling behind, 1-0 (both times to Duke). The lone win for the Illini in doubles came from the 14th ranked duo of Michael Calkins and Chris Martin, who beat Phillip King and Jonathan Stokke, 9-8 (4). The loss to Calkins and Martin was the first of the season for Duke's pair of King and Stokke (5-1).

In singles action, the Fighting Illini got strong performances up and down the lineup. Calkins, ranked No. 39, continued his undefeated season (5-0) after beating Jason Zimmerman in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3 at No. 3. In his five finished matches this season, the UI senior has yet to lose a single set. In the clinching match the Illini's other unbeaten, No. 65 Ryler DeHeart, dispatched his Blue Devil opponent 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(3) at No. 5. GD Jones continued his hot collegiate start by defeating Stephen Amritraj, 6-4, 6-3 at No. 6. Jones has been victorious in five of his first six collegiate matches.

"I challenged the players to win all of our singles matches, and they did just that, said Tiley." "Every player competed extremely well--they all responded to the challenge. GD (Jones) came up big for us at No. 6."

For the second straight week, senior Phil Stolt conquered No. 7 Ludovic Walter, when he won today 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 at No. 2 singles. In their last match Stolt was victorious in straight sets 6-3, 6-3. In the final match of the evening, senior Brian Wilson beat Phillip King 7-6 (2), 7-5. Wilson, who is 5-1 this season, all at the No. 1 spot, has handed King his only two losses on the season.

Illinois will return to action next Friday (Feb. 20), when it will host No. 44 Georgia Tech. The match will begin at 6 p.m. at the Atkins Tennis Center.

No. 1 Illinois 6, at No. 6 Duke 1

Singles:
1. Brian Wilson (ILL) def. Phillip King (Duke)                       7-6 (2), 7-5
2. Phil Stolt (ILL) def. No. 7 Ludovic Walter (Duke)                 6-4, 5-7, 6-3
3. No. 39 Michael Calkins (ILL) def. Jason Zimmermann (Duke)         6-3, 6-3
4. No. 47 Chris Martin (ILL) def. Jonathan Stokke (Duke)             4-6, 6-3, 6-4
5. No. 65 Ryler DeHeart (ILL) def. Peter Rodrigues (Duke)            6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (3)
6. GD Jones (ILL) def. Stephen Amritraj (Duke)                       6-4, 6-3

Doubles:
1. No. 2 Ludovic Walter/Jason Zimmermann (Duke) def. Phil Stolt/Brian Wilson (ILL)               8-6
2. No. 14 Michael Calkins/Chris Martin (ILL) def. Phillip King/Jonathan Stokke (Duke)            9-8 (4)
3. Stephen Amritraj/Peter Rodrigues (Duke) def. Ryler DeHeart/Pramod Dabir (ILL)                 8-6