Nevolo Upsets No. 1 Williams, Illinois Falls to Tennessee

Men's Tennis February 5, 2011

Nevolo Upsets No. 1 Williams, Illinois Falls to Tennessee

Feb. 5, 2011

URBANA, Ill. - Junior Dennis Nevolo collected his second win of the season over a top-ranked opponent, but it wouldn't be enough, as the 16th-ranked Illini men's tennis team (2-2) fell 5-2 to No. 3 Tennessee (4-0) Saturday night at Atkins Tennis Center. Nevolo, who is ranked a career-high No. 11, defeated No. 1 Rhyne Williams, 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-0, to earn his team-best 18th win of the year and 10th over a nationally ranked opponent. The win marked Illinois' first over a top-ranked player in a dual match since 2004 and was Nevolo's second defeat of a No. 1 player, as he also topped then-No. 1 John-Patrick Smith of Tennessee at the ITA National Indoor Championships in November.

"I didn't try to focus on it (No. 1 ranking) too much," Nevolo said. "I feel like I can beat anybody in the nation. I just tried to stay solid. It feels good obviously, but it doesn't change anything."

Sophomore Stephen Hoh came away with Illinois' other win on the night, as he battled back to claim a three-set thriller over Edward Jones, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (7). Illinois' doubles struggles continued as the Volunteers earned the 1-0 advantage before claiming the first three singles matches to clinch the win.

"I'm a little frustrated," head coach Brad Dancer said. "Tennessee is a really good team and I have a ton of respect for them. Our building is not the easiest place to play in and we didn't do a great job of taking advantage of that in this match tonight."

Illinois will be back in action on Monday, Feb. 7 for a re-scheduled match against No. 14 Duke at 1 p.m. at Atkins Tennis Center.

Match Results
#3 Tennessee 5, #16 Illinois 2

Singles competition
1. #11 Dennis Nevolo (ILL) def. #1 Rhyne Williams (TENN) 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 6-0
2. #21 John-Patrick Smith (TENN) def. #121 Abe Souza (ILL) 6-2, 6-2
3. Tennys Sandgren (TENN) def. #111 Johnny Hamui (ILL) 1-6, 6-2, 6-3
4. #38 Matteo Fago (TENN) def. Roy Kalmanovich (ILL) 7-6 (7-5), 6-4
5. Boris Conkic (TENN) def. Bruno Abdelnour (ILL) 6-3, 6-1
6. Stephen Hoh (ILL) def. Edward Jones (TENN) 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (9-7)

Doubles competition
1. John-Patrick Smith/Boris Conkic (TENN) def. Dennis Nevolo/Johnny Hamui (ILL) 8-5
2. Rhyne Williams/Tennys Sandgren (TENN) def. Stephen Hoh/Connor Roth (ILL) 8-4
3. Abe Souza/Roy Kalmanovich (ILL) vs. Edward Jones/Matteo Fago (TENN) 5-5, unfinished