Jan. 21, 2012

Box Score

ILL-UDM Box Score | ILL-BSU Box Score

URBANA, Ill. - The Fighting Illini men's tennis team posted two shutout victories on Friday at Atkins Tennis Center, improving to 2-0 on the season. No. 17 Illinois took down Detroit Mercy, 4-0, before capturing a 7-0 win over Ball State. Freshman Ross Guignon led the Illini with two singles and two doubles wins in his dual-play debut, while senior Roy Kalmanovich and junior Stephen Hoh each added one doubles and two singles victories apiece.

"It was good for Roy to get two wins at the No. 1 spot," Illinois head coach Brad Dancer said. "He just went out there and demonstrated some leadership. Ross Guignon also went out and showed great tenacity and aggressiveness. The way he is playing embodies what we want to have on our team."

The Illini jumped out to an early lead over Detroit Mercy (0-3), capturing the doubles point with wins by the Kalmanovich-Hoh duo and the newcomer tandem of Guignon and Tim Kopinski. The Orange and Blue continued that success in singles play, as 24th-ranked Kalmanovich, who was playing in the No. 1 spot, cruised to a quick straight-set victory over Nick Tolomei. Guignon and Hoh secured their matches in two sets as well to clinch the win for the Illini.

Illinois continued its dominant performance in the second match of the day with stellar doubles play against Ball State. Senior Dennis Nevolo and freshman Farris Gosea teamed up for a win, while Kopinski and Guignon also secured their second victories of the day. In singles action, Kalmanovich picked up his second win at No. 1 singles, while Guignon and Hoh also captured second matches. No. 2 Nevolo, Kopinski and junior Bruno Abdelnour got in on the winning action as well, as the Illini did not post a singles loss all day.

The Orange and Blue will return to action on Sunday to take on Notre Dame at Atkins Tennis Center at 3 p.m.

Illinois vs. Detroit Mercy
Singles
1. #24 Roy Kalmanovich (ILL) def. Nick Tolomei (UDM) 6-2, 6-0
2. Bruno Abdelnour (ILL) vs. Alex Latosinsky (UDM) 6-0, 3-4, unfinished
3. Stephen Hoh (ILL) def. Mike Basha (UDM) 6-1, 6-3
4. Tim Kopinski (ILL) vs. David Streeter (UDM) 7-6 (7-4), 4-1, unfinished
5. Farris Gosea (ILL) vs. Pablo Nunez (UDM) 1-6, 6-3, 2-1, unfinished
6. Ross Guignon (ILL) def. C. Escobar Serrano (UDM) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles
1. Dennis Nevolo/Farris Gosea (ILL) vs. Jay Joshi/David Stabley (UDM) 7-4, unfinished
2. Roy Kalmanovich/Stephen Hoh (ILL) def. Alex Latosinsky/Mike Basha (UDM) 8-4
3. Ross Guignon/Tim Kopinski (ILL) def. Chris Cheung/C. Escobar Serrano (UDM) 8-1

Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (1,6,3)

Illinois vs. Ball State
Singles
1. #24 Roy Kalmanovich (ILL) def. Dalton Albertin (BSU) 6-2, 6-4
2. #2 Dennis Nevolo (ILL) def. Zane Smith (BSU) 6-2, 6-3
3. Stephen Hoh (ILL) def. Ray Leonard (BSU) 7-6 (7-3), 6-1
4. Bruno Abdelnour (ILL) def. Alexandre Brym (BSU) 6-7 (7-5), 7-5, 10-6
5. Tim Kopinski (ILL) def. Austin Smith (BSU) 6-4, 7-5
6. Ross Guignon (ILL) def. Patrick Elliot (BSU) 6-2, 6-3

Doubles
1. Dennis Nevolo/Farris Gosea (ILL) def. Dalton Albertin/Ray Leonard (BSU) 8-3
2. Zane Smith/Derek Carpenter (BSU) def. Roy Kalmanovich/Stephen Hoh (ILL) 5-2, def.
3. Tim Kopinski/Ross Guignon (ILL) def. Austin Smith/Austin Sansone (BSU) 8-2

Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (6,2,3,1,5,4)