April 6, 2012

Box Score

URBANA, Ill. - The 18th-ranked Fighting Illini men's tennis team (11-4, 5-1 Big Ten) saw its six-match winning streak come to a close with a 4-3 loss to Michigan (12-5, 5-1) Friday evening at Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex. Senior Roy Kalmanovich, junior Bruno Abdelnour and freshman Farris Gosea each won in singles action, but it was not enough, as the Illini lost their first conference match of the season.

"Overall, it was a very disappointing match for us," Illinois head coach Brad Dancer said. "Michigan outcompeted us in a couple spots, and that was critical for us. I think Dennis did a fantastic job and kept his composure together in the second set. I felt bad things didn't go Dennis' way when he had the opportunity. I think the match was not just lost in that match, though. We had other opportunities to close the gap. We weren't as sharp as we needed to be, so we have to see if we can turn it around tomorrow and play a better match."

The Illini dropped the doubles point for the fourth time in their last five contests, losing on Courts 1 and 2. Junior Stephen Hoh and Gosea managed to avoid the doubles sweep, however, taking down Michael Zhu and Alex Petrone, 8-7(4), at the No. 3 spot.

Kalmanovich, who is ranked 31st in the nation, put the Orange and Blue on the board with a convincing 6-1, 6-2 win over Shaun Bernstein at the No. 2 spot. Abdelnour followed that up with a swift 6-2, 6-1 victory over Zhu at No. 4 to give the Illini their only lead of the day. Illinois dropped the next two completed singles matches, putting the Wolverines one win away from clinching.

Gosea climbed back after dropping his second set, downing Alex Buzzi in a thrilling 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(6) battle on Court 6 to put Illinois' fate in the hands of fourth-ranked senior Dennis Nevolo. The Gurnee, Ill., native lost his first set to No. 10 Evan King but regained his composure to win the second. Despite his comeback, Nevolo lost in the final set of the night, coming up short in a 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-3 decision.

The Illini will host Michigan State tomorrow at Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex, wrapping up a five-match homestand. Action starts at 1 p.m.

Singles
1. #10 Evan King (MICH) def. #4 Dennis Nevolo (ILL) 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 6-3
2. #31 Roy Kalmanovich (ILL) def. Shaun Bernstein (MICH) 6-1, 6-2
3. Alex Petrone (MICH) def. Stephen Hoh (ILL) 6-0, 6-4
4. Bruno Abdelnour (ILL) def. Michael Zhu (MICH) 6-2, 6-1
5. Barrett Franks (MICH) def. Tim Kopinski (ILL) 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (8-6)
6. Farris Gosea (ILL) def. Alex Buzzi (MICH) 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (8-6)

Doubles
1. #11 Shaun Bernstein/Evan King (MICH) def. #45 Dennis Nevolo/Roy Kalmanovich (ILL) 8-5
2. Alex Buzzi/Barrett Franks (MICH) def. Tim Kopinski/Ross Guignon (ILL) 8-4
3. Stephen Hoh/Farris Gosea (ILL) def. Michael Zhu/Alex Petrone (MICH) 8-7 (6-4)

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