March 9, 2007
Results
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. ­- The Illinois men's tennis team cruised past Purdue, 6-1, to improve to 9-3 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten action. The Illini, putting together a true team effort in the victory, stepped up their games in all areas of the court to hand the Boilermakers (7-1, 1-1 Big Ten) their first loss of the season.
"I was really pleased with the guys' effort tonight, and I thought we came out and took care of business on the road," head coach Brad Dancer said. "I just really felt that it was a total team effort. It was good to see Jordan Knue and Brandon Davis lock up the doubles point for us as well. From here, I look forward to a great competition against Wisconsin on Sunday, which should be a good challenge for us as we return home."
The Illini doubles pair of No. 34 Kevin Anderson and Ryan Rowe set the tone of the night for Illinois by wrapping up an 8-2 victory in the top slot to open the match. In his duel debut, freshman Jordan Knue teamed with junior Brandon Davis at the third position, and showed no signs of being a rookie as the duo dismissed Purdue's Paul Foley and Paul Rose, 8-5, to seal the doubles point for the Orange and Blue. Senior GD Jones and sophomore Marc Spicijaric (ILL) made it a doubles sweep when they took down Branko Kuzmanovic and Eric Hodgman, 8-6, at the No. 2 slot.
Going into singles, the Boilermakers strongest part of their lineup, Illinois looked to continue to apply the pressure on every point.
Spicijaric, playing at No. 3 for the first time this season, opened with Illinois' first win when he defeated Hodgman (PUR), 6-1, 6-2, while Rowe (ILL) followed closely, taking care of Kuzmanovic (PUR) 6-4, 6-2 at No. 2 singles. With the victory in sight, the Illini sprinted to the finish line and sealed the duel-match victory when Jones (ILL) bageled Kurt Zaske (ILL) in the second set, finishing off the Boilermaker 7-6(4), 6-0.
Illinois returns to action when it hosts No. 29 Wisconsin in its Big Ten home opener on Sunday, March 11, at noon at the Atkins Tennis Center. Kids Club members and students eighth grade and under are reminded to come out and participate in a free kid's tennis clinic following the conclusion of the match. Participants are asked to arrive by 1:30 p.m.
University of Illinois Men's Tennis
Illinois vs. Purdue University (3/9/2007)
#5 Illinois 6, Purdue University 1
3/9/2007 at West Lafayette, Ind.
|
Singles competition |
|
1. #2 Kevin Anderson (ILL) def. Paul Rose (PUR) 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) |
|
2. #5 Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. Branko Kuzmanovic (PUR) 6-4, 6-2 |
|
3. #12 Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. Eric Hodgman (PUR) 6-1, 6-2 |
|
4. #30 GD Jones (ILL) def. Kurt Zaske (PUR) 7-6 (7-4), 6-0 |
|
5. Brandon Davis (ILL) def. Paul Foley (PUR) 6-3, 4-6, 10-5 |
|
6. Scott Warner (PUR) def. Jordan Knue (ILL) 6-1, 7-6 (7-4)
|
|
Doubles competition |
|
1. #34 Kevin Anderson/Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. Kurt Zaske/Scott Warner (PUR) 8-2 |
|
2. GD Jones/Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. Branko Kuzmanovic/Eric Hodgman (PUR) 8-6 |
|
3. Brandon Davis/Jordan Knue (ILL) def. Paul Foley/Paul Rose (PUR) 8-5
|
|
Match Notes |
|
Illinois 9-3 (2-0 Big Ten); National ranking #5 |
|
Purdue University 7-1 (1-1 Big Ten) |
|
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (3,2,4,6,1,5) |
|
|
|
|
|
