URBANA, Ill. - The No. 11 Illinois men's tennis team began the day off with a domination of doubles before falling one match short of sweeping the dual in the Illini's 6-1 victory over No. 34 Minnesota today at the Atkins Tennis Center. Receiving top-notch performances from the entire lineup, the Illini looked focused and determined en route to improving to 15-7 on the year, 8-2 in conference action, while Minnesota dropped to 14-8 overall and 4-5 in league affairs.
"Today was a good step in the right direction for us," head coach Brad Dancer said. "GD looked good heading into his final regular-season match tomorrow, as did Ruben and Brandon in doubles. There is still always something that we can improve. Overall, the guys know we need to get sharper across the board as we head into Big Tens."
Illinois made quick work in doubles, allowing just one point or less by an opponent for the ninth time this season and the fourth time in conference action, as juniors Brandon Davis and Ruben Gonzales (ILL) moved to 3-1 in conference play, defeating Chi-Lang Pham and Andres Osorio (MINN), 8-2, to get things started on the right foot for Illinois on court three. The ninth-ranked pair of Kevin Anderson and Ryan Rowe (ILL), at No. 1 singles, notched their 15th win of the season, eighth in conference action, taking down Sion Wilkins and Nich Edlefsen (MINN), 8-2. Rounding out the doubles sweep, Illinois' tandem of senior GD Jones and sophomore Marc Spicijaric (ILL) handed Raoul Schwark and Mikey Kantar (MINN) an 8-6 setback on court two. The win improved the pair to a team-leading 16-6 on the year and 8-1 in conference play.
Heading into singles with a 1-0 lead, the Illini remained focused to keep the Golden Gophers on the defense for the remainder of the match.
Leading off the lopsided victory, Gonzales recorded his first victory since returning from injury, improving to 11-5, 2-2 in Big Ten play after dominating Mikey Kantar (MINN) 6-3, 6-1, at No. 4 singles. Senior GD Jones, playing in his final regular season weekend with the Illini, started off a little slow in his match against D.J. Geatz (MINN), but pulled it together nicely in the latter half of the contest, prevailing 7-5, 6-0, on court five. The effort improved the senior to 13-8, 6-2 in conference action.
Grabbing his fifth conference win of the year, Davis (ILL) was in total control on court six from beginning to end, defeating Wilkins (MINN), 6-4, 6-4. With the win, Davis sealed the dual match victory and improved to 17-24, 5-4 in the Big Ten.
Rowe, ranked 19th in the latest poll, proved to be too much for his Minnesota opponent, Osorio (MINN), as he took advantage of early breaks in both frames to register a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Wrapping up the Illini in the win column for the afternoon, No. 6-ranked Anderson tallied his 10th win, 10-5 overall, against a ranked opponent, toppling No. 84 Schwark (MINN), 6-4, 6-3. Anderson, who broke Schwark's serve to win the match, improved to 22-6 overall and 8-1 in league contests. Tabbing their only win of the day, Minnesota's Edlefsen edged Spicijaric (ILL) 7-6(5), 2-6, 10-8 in the final match of the afternoon.
The Illini host the final regular season match of the season on Sunday, April 22, when they welcome Iowa for a noon match at the Atkins Tennis Center. Fans are also invited to come out to a special ceremony that will take place before the start of the match, when Illinois head coach Brad Dancer and the Illini men's tennis team will honor lone senior GD Jones during a special senior tribute.
University of Minnesota vs. University of Illinois
4/21/07 at Urbana, Ill.
#11 Illinois 6, #34 Minnesota 1
Singles competition
1. #6 Kevin Anderson (ILL) def. #84 Raoul Schwark (MINN) 6-4, 6-3
2. #19 Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. Andres Osorio (MINN) 6-4, 6-4
3. Nich Edlefsen (MINN) vs. Marc Spicijaric (ILL) 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 1-0 (10-8)
4. Ruben Gonzales (ILL) def. Mikey Kantar (MINN) 6-3, 6-1
5. GD Jones (ILL) def. D.J. Geatz (MINN) 7-5, 6-0
6. Brandon Davis (ILL) def. Sion Wilkins (MINN) 6-4, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. #9 Kevin Anderson/Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. Sion Wilkins/Nich Edlefsen (MINN) 8-4
2. Marc Spicijaric/GD Jones (ILL) def. Raoul Schwark/Mikey Kantar (MINN) 8-6
3. Brandon Davis/Ruben Gonzales (ILL) def. Chi-Lang Pham/Andres Osorio (MINN) 8-2
Match Notes
Order of finish: Doubles (3, 2, 1); Singles (4, 5, 6, 2, 1, 3)
