Vukic Post-Match Interview
URBANA, Ill. - The Fighting Illini men's tennis team moved to 17-0 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament with a 4-0 victory over Green Bay at home Friday afternoon. The Illini now meet Drake on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT for a spot in the round of 16 in Waco, Texas.
"Again, we came out focused in doubles," head coach Brad Dancer said. "We were locked in and the guys did a great job with that. In singles, I thought Green Bay, right from the start, really knew what they were doing on each court. They played tough matches and challenged us up and down the board. It was a great challenge for the team today and a lot of credit goes out to Green Bay for that."
Delayed due to rain, the Illini began their match close to two hours after the originally scheduled time. Despite the delay, the Illini came out fast in doubles claiming victories on courts one and three. No. 36 Jared Hiltzik and Tim Kopinski were first off the court with a dominant 8-2 victory over Tenzer/Kraenzler. Ross Guignon and Aron Hiltzik secured the doubles point with an 8-3 victory on court three over Scott/Leto.
In singles, the Illini took the first set on all six courts and garnered wins on courts six, four and one. Ross Guignon was the first Illini to finish with a 6-3, 6-3 win on court six.
After a slow start, No. 74 Aleks Vukic bounced back to claim a first set tiebreak that propelled him to a straight set (7-6, 6-4) victory over Florian Kraenzler on court four. Vukic's victory marked his 43rd of the year, which moved him past Ryler DeHeart for the school record for most wins in a season.
"I'll talk to Ryler probably later tonight or tomorrow and let him know that," Dancer said. "Just knowing Ryler, I think if he knew Vukic a little better he would think 'that's the guy I would want to break it.' Vukic works so hard. He's so driven and focused. It's a great honor for him."
No. 33 Farris Gosea clinched the match on court one. Gosea defeated Michael Tenzer 6-3, 6-4.
Full Results from today's match can be found below.
Singles
1. #33 Farris Gosea (ILL) def. Michael Tenzer (UWGB) 6-3, 6-4
2. #65 Tim Kopinski (ILL) vs. Leopold G Islinger (UWGB) 6-2, 5-5, unfinished
3. #81 Aron Hiltzik (ILL) vs. Howard Scott (UWGB) 6-2, 4-6, 0-1, unfinished
4. #74 Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. Florian Kraenzler (UWGB) 7-6 (7-4), 6-4
5. Brian Page (ILL) vs. Joshua Schramm (UWGB) 6-3, 0-6, 1-1, unfinished
6. Ross Guignon (ILL) def. Joey Leto (UWGB) 6-3, 6-3
Doubles
1. #36 Jared Hiltzik/Tim Kopinski (ILL) def. Michael Tenzer/Florian Kraenzler (UWGB) 8-2
2. Farris Gosea/Aleks Vukic (ILL) vs. Howard Scott/Joey Leto (UWGB) 7-4, unfinished
3. Aron Hiltzik/Ross Guignon (ILL) def. Leopold G Islinger/Michael Tebon (UWGB) 8-3
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (6,4,1)
