Jan. 22, 2012
Box Score
Box Score
URBANA, Ill. - The Fighting Illini men's tennis team took down Notre Dame, 4-3, Sunday evening at Atkins Tennis Center to improve to 3-0 on the season. Senior Dennis Nevolo and freshman Tim Kopisnki led the Orange and Blue with wins in singles and doubles action to remain undefeated in both without dropping a set this season.
"I'm proud of our singles play today," Illini head coach Brad Dancer said. "Casey Watt is always a tricky and fast player, but Dennis held it together and played very well, so that was great for him. Bruno (Abdelnour) has a lot of demons that he's always battling, and he played well enough to overcome that today. But I think he could still play even better. The man of the day was Kopinski. He really stepped up, played big, was not afraid of the moment and really wanted that moment. And it showed on the court."
The Illini took an early advantage, winning two matches to capture the doubles point. Nevolo teamed up with freshman Farris Gosea at the No. 1 spot to defeat Niall Fitzgerald and Spencer Talmadge, 8-5, while freshman tandem Ross Guignon and Kopinski downed Casey Watt and Greg Andrews, 8-6, to secure their third win of the season. The Illini chose to not field a No. 3 doubles team, giving Notre Dame one doubles win by default.
"We took a big chance in doubles, and today that chance paid off," Dancer said. "We really think it's important that we play a certain style of doubles. The two teams who played today played that way, and they were successful. They won't always be successful, but I think it was a learning experience in terms of how to play."
In singles action, Nevolo, who is ranked second in the nation, played at the No. 1 spot for the first time this season, capturing a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Watt. Kopinski played a solid match as well, defeating Fitzgerald, 6-2, 7-6(6). Junior Bruno Abdelnour also got in on the winning action, taking a 7-6(3), 6-3 thriller over No. 74 Sam Keeton.
"Anyone who is familiar with our doubles play in recent history understands we have been inconsistent with the standard of play," Dancer said. "Coach (Marcos) Asse and I put together guidelines for how Illinois doubles will be played. We will continue to move forward in doubles with the players who are willing to adhere to those guidelines set forth, independent of wins and losses. This in no way is any indication or reflection on the overall team standard or effort, particularly as it relates to singles play. It is specifically a doubles only issue."
The Orange and Blue will head to Atlanta, Ga., for ITA Kick-off Weekend to face No. 20 North Carolina on Sunday, Jan. 29 and either No. 15 Georgia Tech or No. 21 Auburn on Monday, Jan. 30.
Singles
1. #2 Dennis Nevolo (ILL) def. Casey Watt (ND) 6-1, 7-5
2. Greg Andrews (ND) def. #24 Roy Kalmanovich (ILL) 6-2, 6-3
3. Bruno Abdelnour (ILL) def. #74 Sam Keeton (ND) 7-6 (7-3), 6-3
4. Billy Pecor (ND) def. Stephen Hoh (ILL) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
5. Tim Kopinski (ILL) def. Niall Fitzgerald (ND) 6-2, 7-6 (8-6)
6. Blas Moros (ND) def. Ross Guignon (ILL) 6-1, 6-3
Doubles
1. Dennis Nevolo/Farris Gosea (ILL) def. Niall Fitzgerald/Spencer Talmadge (ND) 8-5
2. Tim Kopinski/Ross Guignon (ILL) def. Casey Watt/Greg Andrews (ND) 8-6
3. Billy Pecor/Sam Keeton (ND) def. No player/No player (ILL), by default
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (6,2,1,5,3,4)
