Jan. 31, 2015
Results
Printable Results | Gosea Post-Match Interview | Dancer Post-Match Interview
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini men's tennis team fought from down 3-2 to secure a 4-3 victory over No. 6 North Carolina. With Saturday night's victory, the Illini move to 4-1 and hold two wins over top-10 teams.
Tied 3-3 with North Carolina and Farris Gosea trailing No. 2 Brayden Schnur, 5-2, it appeared the Illini were headed for a second straight failed comeback. However, Gosea continued to battle, fighting off multiple runs by Schnur. As Farris held serve at 5-3, No. 31 Jared Hiltzik finished off Brett Clark to make the match on court one the clincher. Gosea continue to scratch his way back, breaking Schnur 5-4, and then held serve twice to force the tiebreaker. Gosea grinded to win the tiebreak 7-5 to secure the upset, as fans flooded court one to celebrate Illinois' 4-3 win over the sixth-ranked Tar Heels.
"So proud of our guys in terms of just another not great showing of doubles and then we came back and got down a lot of first sets in singles and just did a great job staying tough and hanging in there," headh coach Brad Dancer said. "The thing in tennis if you hang in there long enough then you finally get a chance to have a winning moment. Farris obviously capitalized on that moment and the legend of Farris Gosea is born."
The night began with North Carolina claiming the doubles point with wins on court one and court two. Jared Hiltzik and Farris Gosea won the lone doubles match for the Illini.
In singles, North Carolina extended their lead to 2-0 as Robert Kelly defeated Aleks Vukic 6-4, 1-6, 6-3. Illinois got on the board when Tim Kopinski took down Jack Murray in two sets, 7-6(5), 6-2. The Fighting Illini tied it up at 2-2 after Toshiki Matsuya beat out Stuart DePaolo 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
With the match headed toward a close finish, North Carolina took a 3-2 lead when Hess-Olsen took down No. 62 Aron Hiltzik 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 on court three. Jared answered by defeating Brett Clark 7-5, 6-4, 6-4 on court two. The energy from the end of Jared's win carried over to court one as Gosea completed the comeback upset of #2 Brayden Schnur 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(5).
ILLINI RESULTS
Singles competition
1. Farris Gosea (ILL) def. #2 Brayden Schnur (UNC) 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5)
2. #31 Jared Hiltzik (ILL) def. Brett Clark (UNC) 5-7, 6-4, 6-4
3. Esben Hess-Olesen (UNC) def. #62 Aron Hiltzik (ILL) 6-1, 4-6, 6-3
4. #40 Tim Kopinski (ILL) def. Jack Murray (UNC) 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
5. Robert Kelly (UNC) def. #44 Aleks Vukic (ILL) 6-4, 1-6, 6-3
6. Toshiki Matsuya (ILL) def. Stuart DePaolo (UNC) 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Oystein Steiro/Esben Hess-Olesen (UNC) def. Ross Guignon/Tim Kopinski (ILL) 6-4
2. Farris Gosea/Jared Hiltzik (ILL) def. Jack Murray/Ronnie Schneider (UNC) 6-1
3. Brett Clark/Robert Kelly (UNC) def. Aron Hiltzik/Aleks Vukic (ILL) 6-1
