No. 12 Duke Cruises Past No. 20 Wake Forest, 4-0, In ACC Quarterfinals

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No. 12 Duke Cruises Past No. 20 Wake Forest, 4-0, In ACC Quarterfinals

4/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis

By: Duke Sports Information

CARY, N.C.? For the 21st straight year, the 12th-ranked and second-seeded Duke women's tennis team won its first match of the ACC Championship as the Blue Devils downed 20th-ranked Wake Forest, 4-0, in the quarterfinals at the Cary Tennis Center in Cary, N.C.

The Blue Devils will next play the winner of the third-seeded Miami and sixth-seeded Virginia contest on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

“We didn't play that well in doubles today, but we were able to come through with the win because we fought really hard,” said Duke Head Coach Jamie Ashworth. “We are going to have to play better doubles tomorrow. I thought [Jennifer] Zika came up big with some key serves.”

Duke jumped out to a quick start in each of the three doubles matches as the Blue Devils led 3-2 at No. 1 and No. 3, while collecting a 5-1 advantage at the second slot. The tide turned quick at No. 3 as the Demon Deacon duo of Jessica Brouwer and Ashley James won five straight games to take a 7-3 lead over Duke's Jessie Robinson and Tara Iyer. The Blue Devils responded with a victory to cut the lead to 7-4, but Wake Forest was to tough and held on for an 8-4 win at the third position.

Wake Forest comebacks were a theme for the day in doubles as the Demon Deacons cut a 6-2 Duke lead to even the match at 6-6 at No. 2. The Blue Devil tandem of Jackie Carleton and Melissa Mang rebounded to take a 7-6 lead over Ashlee Davis and Ana Jerman, but the Demon Deacons came back once again to even the match, 7-7. Duke finally was able to finish off Davis and Jerman by winning two straight games to even the doubles match at 1-1.

The always important doubles point came down to the top position with 29th-ranked Daniela Bercek and Jennifer Zika of Duke going up against Alex Hirsch and Sierra Poske of Wake Forest. The Blue Devils held a 3-2 lead early but the Demon Deacons came back to win four straight games to take a 6-3 lead. Duke's duo battled to cut the lead to 6-5 but Wake Forest won another game to take a 7-5 advantage. Led by Bercek's stellar serving, the Blue Devil tandem came back to win three straight games to clinch the doubles point for Duke.

“By us winning the doubles point, I thought it was more negative for Wake Forest than positive for Duke,” said Ashworth. “We have more talent than them in singles so with us coming back to win in doubles, it took all of the momentum away from them.”

In singles play, Duke jumped out to quick leads in four of the six matches. The Blue Devils took a 2-0 lead in the match as 72nd-ranked Mang cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over 123rd-ranked Jerman. Mang, the 2006 ACC Freshman of the Year, improved to 19-3 in dual match action this season.

One of Duke's other freshmen, 77th-ranked Iyer then put the Blue Devils ahead, 3-0, as the native of Chevy Chase, Md., knocked off Christian Tara, 6-4, 6-3, at the fourth position. Iyer improved to 7-1 when played a dual match at the fourth slot.

“I thought Tara and Jessie were a little nervous in doubles,” said Ashworth. “All of our freshman were able to relax in singles and played well. With one under our belt hopefully we can build on it.”

Duke was able to close out the match at the top position once again as fourth-ranked Bercek ousted 44th-ranked Hirsch to give the Blue Devils a 4-0 victory and a bid in the semifinals of the ACC Championship on Saturday.

“Daniela has been playing very well,” said Ashworth. “One of our goals all year was to try to get out to a good start in singles and Melissa was able to do that for us today. That quick win was huge.”

The Blue Devils registered their 14th victory this season when Duke has won the first singles contest of the match.

Doubles
1. #29 Daniela Bercek/Jennifer Zika (DU) d. Alex Hirsch/Sierra Poske (WF) 9-7
2. Jackie Carleton/Melissa Mang (DU) d. Ashlee Davis/Ana Jerman (WF) 9-7
3. Jessica Brouwer/Ashley James (WF) d. Jessie Robinson/Tara Iyer (DU) 8-4
Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1

Singles
1. #4 Daniela Bercek (DU) d. #44 Alex Hirsch (WF) 6-2, 6-4
2. #29 Jackie Carleton (DU) vs. #92 Ashlee Davis (WF) DNF
3. #72 Melissa Mang (DU) d. #123 Ana Jerman (WF) 6-1, 6-2
4. #77 Tara Iyer (DU) d. Christian Tara (WF) 6-4, 6-3
5. #93 Clelia Deltour (DU) vs. Sierra Poske (WF) DNF
6. Jessie Robinson (DU) vs. Christine Simpson (WF) DNF
Order of Finish: 3, 4, 1