April 17, 2004
The Fighting Illini men's tennis team improved to 7-0 in the conference and 22-0 overall today with a 6-1 victory over No. 59 Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich. After overcoming a 45-minute rain delay, today's match was the first full match that the Spartans have played on their outdoor courts since a victory over Penn State on April 8, 2001. The courts were resurfaced in summer 2003 in preparation for the 2004 season and this year's Big Ten Tournament, which Michigan State will be hosting April 29-May 2.
"At first it didn't look like we were going to be able to play outdoors because it was raining," said Illinois Head Coach Craig Tiley. "However, knowing that we will be back here in two weeks for the Big Ten Championships, I'm glad we were able to play outdoors."
In doubles action, the Illini swept the Spartans to earn a 1-0 lead. The duo of Brian Wilson and Phil Stolt, ranked second nationally, won the first match for Illinois, an 8-3 victory over Andrew Formanczyk and Chris Mitchell. At No. 2, Illinois' tandem of GD Jones and Ryler DeHeart remained undefeated on the season (9-0, 5-0) with a triumph over Cameron Marshall and Eric Simonton, 8-4. Michael Calkins and Pramod Dabir earned the clinching doubles point with an 8-5 win over Mike Brown and Michael Flowers. Calkins has 233 total wins in both doubles and singles combined, and tomorrow he can tie and break Oliver Freelove's school record of 234 with a doubles and singles victory. Calkins also has the chance to tie Jeff Laski's school record of 118 doubles wins tomorrow.
DeHeart (No. 117), started things off for the Illini in singles with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Simonton. Jones secured the 3-0 lead for the Orange and Blue with a 6-4, 6-2 win against Flowers. The clinching victory for Illinois came at the No. 6 spot from Evan Zeder who improved to 7-4 overall and 3-0 in the conference. After falling behind, one set to none, he rebounded to take the next two for a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory.
The final two points for the Illini came from seniors Stolt and Wilson, who are both undefeated in the conference with 6-0 marks. The 30th-ranked Stolt won in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3 over Marshall. Wilson, ranked second nationally, beat No. 77 Andrew Formanczyk 6-1, 6-7 (6), 6-2. Calkins suffered the lone defeat when Mitchell beat him in a third set super tie-breaker to win 7-6 (2), 6-7 (11), (11-9).
"It was a good performance overall, although a couple of guys didn't play great," said Illinois Head Coach Craig Tiley. "Michael (Calkins) didn't execute well today. It was a match he should have won--he would win against that opponent nine out of 10 times."
Chris Martin did not make the trip this weekend. He twisted his back in doubles at Kentucky a week and a half ago and has played only doubles since. He rested this past week and is hopeful of being ready to compete next weekend against Purdue and Indiana.
"Right now Chris (Martin) is day-to-day and we are just taking precautions," said Tiley. "Right now we are just trying to keep everyone else healthy."
The Illini will resume action tomorrow when they collide with Michigan in Ann Arbor at Noon EDT.
"Tomorrow we'll need to come out fired up and execute a little better against Michigan," said Tiley.
TODAY'S RESULTS:
No. 1 Illinois 6, at No. 59 Michigan State 1
Singles:
1. No. 2 Brian Wilson (ILL) def. No. 77 Andrew Formanczyk (MSU) 6-1, 6-7 (6), 6-2
2. No. 30 Phil Stolt (ILL) def. Cameron Marshall (MSU) 6-4, 6-3
3. Chris Mitchell (MSU) def. No. 104 Michael Calkins (ILL) 7-6 (2), 6-7 (11), (11-9)
4. No. 117 Ryler DeHeart (ILL) def. Eric Simonton (MSU) 6-1, 6-2
5. GD Jones (ILL) def. Michael Flowers (MSU) 6-4, 6-2
6. Evan Zeder (ILL) def Mike Brown (MSU) 3-6, 6-2, 6-1
Doubles:
1. No. 2 Phil Stolt/Brian Wilson (ILL) def. Andrew Formanczyk/Chris Mitchell(MSU) 8-3
2. Ryler DeHeart/GD Jones (ILL) def. Cameron Marshall/Eric Simonton (MSU) 8-4
3. Michael Calkins/Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. Mike Brown/Michael Flowers (MSU) 8-5
