April 30, 2004
Illinois' top-ranked men's tennis team opened up its Big Ten title hunt after an hour-and-a-half rain delay today with a 4-0 victory over ninth-seeded Michigan State on the Spartans' home courts in East Lansing, Mich. The victory improved the Fighting Illini season record to 26-0 and its mark against conference opponents to 11-0. The Illini have won their last nine opening-round matches in Big Ten Tournaments.
"I think we played well--we started strong in doubles and closed out early," said Head Coach Craig Tiley.
For the 23rd time this season the Orange and Blue captured the doubles point. After being honored as the Big Ten Player of the Year last night, Brian Wilson teamed with fellow senior Phil Stolt to improve to 17-4 on the season with a victory over the duo of Andy Formanczyk and Chris Mitchell, 8-1 at No. 1. With an 8-4 win over Mike Brown and Mike Flowers, the tandem of Ryler DeHeart and GD Jones remained perfect this season with a 13-0 overall mark and 9-0 conference record.
The Fighting Illini stayed hot after the break; they took the first three singles matches in short orders to clinch the victory. Returning from a three-week hiatus due to a minor back injury, junior Chris Martin looked strong as he dominated Joe McWilliams at No. 5, 6-1, 6-0. The victory extended Martin's winning streak to 12 matches (which is tied for the longest streak by an Illini this season). Jones (20-3, 9-1) increased the lead to 3-0 after beating Flowers, 6-1, 6-1 at No. 6. Top-ranked Wilson provided the finishing touches at No. 1, defeating Andy Formanczyk, 6-4, 6-2, while increasing his season record to 19-2 in the process.
"He (Martin) played very well," said Tiley. "He could have probably played earlier, but we've been saving him to keep him as healthy as possible. He is going to continue treatment, and we plan on having him play more this weekend and in the NCAA Tournament.
In tournament play, all unfinished matches are abandoned: in doubles, once the point has been determined, and in singles,once the match winner has been decided.
Illinois will continue its efforts for a third straight Big Ten tournament title tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. EDT when it goes up against the winner of this afternoon's contest between fourth-seeded Northwestern and fifth-seeded Purdue.
"Tomorrow we want to step it up even more," said Tiley. "If we get through tomorrow, were going to play Sunday, and its going to be against a tough team. I am happy with the way we played, and if we play well tomorrow, we'll be ready for the final."
TODAY'S BIG TEN QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
#1 seed Illinois 4, #9 seed Michigan State 0
Singles:
1. No. 1 Brian Wilson (ILL) def. Andy Formanczyk (MSU) 6-4, 6-2
2. No. 45 Phil Stolt (ILL) vs. Cameron Marshall (MSU) DNF
3. No. 120 Ryler DeHeart (ILL) vs. Chris Mitchell (MSU) DNF
4. No. 123 Michael Calkins (ILL) vs. Eric Simonton (MSU) DNF
5. No. 89 Chris Martin (ILL) def. Joe McWilliams (MSU) 6-1, 6-0
6. GD Jones (ILL) def. Mike Flowers (MSU) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles:
1. No. 6 Phil Stolt/Brian Wilson (ILL) def. Andy Formanczyk/Chris Mitchell (MSU) 8-1
2. Michael Calkins/Evan Zeder (ILL) vs. Cameron Marshall/Eric Simonton (MSU) DNF
3. Ryler DeHeart/GD Jones (ILL) def. Mike Brown/Mike Flowers (MSU) 8-4
