Bob Larson's Tennis News | MTN: Tennessee Ousts Duke In NCAA Second Round

Tennessee Ousts Duke In NCAA Second Round

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The Blue Devils' 2009 season came to an end on Saturday as they fell to No. 5 Tennessee, 4-1, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

"It was a tight match that was certainly closer than the final score," said head coach Ramsey Smith. "We played well in doubles and had our chances to take that point. We fought hard and had our chances against the No. 5 team in the country. I am proud of our guys even though we didn't come out on top tonight."

For the second straight day heavy rains delayed Duke's match. The start of the contest was pushed back nearly two hours and towards the end of doubles there was a 30-minute delay before the match was moved indoors.

Duke, having lost the No. 1 doubles match, was leading at No. 3 doubles and tied 6-6 at No. 2 when the second delay came. Reid Carleton and Torsten Wietoska went on to win the No. 3 contest 8-6. The delay favored the Vols at No. 2 as Boris Conkic and Matteo Fago took two straight games to clinch the doubles point for Tennessee.

With only four indoor courts, positions 1-4 started in singles with the bottom two matches to take place if needed. The first sets were split with Tennessee taking No. 1 and 2 and the Blue Devils claiming No. 3 and 4.

Dylan Arnould evened the team score at 1-1. He finished off a straight-set victory over Matteo Fago 6-2, 7-5. Arnould improved to 23-13 in singles on the season with a 13-7 record when played in the third spot of the order.

John-Patrick Smith, ranked No. 5 in the country, regained the lead for Tennessee, defeating Carleton 6-3, 7-5 at the top spot in the lineup. The No. 2 and 4 matches went to three sets before being decided. In both third sets, the Vols cruised past the Blue Devils as No. 37 Boris Conkic downed No. 56 Kiril Dimitrov 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 and Davey Sandgren earned a 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-2 win over Jared Pinsky. Sandgren's victory clinched the match and sending Tennessee to the round of 16.

"It was a little unfortunate that we had to move indoors and play on four courts," said Ramsey Smith. "I felt very good about Alain (Michel) and Torsten (Wietoska) heading into the match and we missed out on the momentum they would have provided based on the way they started their matches. Tennessee is very strong at the top of the singles lineup and they came out on top in both three-set matches."

The Blue Devils end their season with a 16-9 overall record. Duke will still have two individuals compete in the NCAA Singles Championships. Carleton and Dimitrov will each head to College Station, Texas to compete in the 64-man field.

Tennis Match Results

Duke vs Tennessee

May 9, 2009 at Knoxville, Tenn.

#5 Tennessee 4, #23 Duke 1

Doubles

1. #3 Davey Sandgren/John-Patrick Smith (UT) def. #71 Kiril Dimitrov/Alain Michel (DU) 8-5

2. #42 Boris Conkic/Matteo Fago (UT) def. #90 Dylan Arnould/David Holland (DU) 8-6

3. Reid Carleton/Torsten Wietoska (DU) def. Matt Brewer/Bryan Swartz (UT) 8-6

Singles

1. #5 John-Patrick Smith (UT) def. #42 Reid Carleton (DU) 6-3, 7-5

2. #37 Boris Conkic (UT) def. #56 Kiril Dimitrov (DU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1

3. Dylan Arnould (DU) def. Matteo Fago (UT) 6-2, 7-5

4. Davey Sandgren (UT) def. Jared Pinsky (DU) 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-2

5. Christian Hansen (UT) vs. Alain Michel (DU) 1-0, unfinished

6. Matt Brewer (UT) vs. Torsten Wietoska (DU) 1-2, unfinished

Match Notes:

Duke 16-8; National ranking #23

Tennessee 22-6; National ranking #5

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