Duke Records 4-2 Comeback Win in Thrilling Fashion

Saturday, April 17

Durham, N.C.

1 p.m.

Duke University

Miami

Duke Records 4-2 Comeback Win in Thrilling Fashion

4/17/2021 6:57:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score

DURHAM – No. 41 Duke claimed four of five singles matches to register the 4-2 come-from-behind victory over No. 43 Miami on Saturday afternoon at Ambler Tennis Stadium.

The Hurricanes secured the doubles point to take a 1-0 edge into singles action. Duke responded with three consecutive wins to jump in front 3-1. Miami battled back to earn its second win of the day to cut the deficit down to one. With just two singles matches remaining, sophomore Andrew Zhang posted a gutsy three set win to help the Blue Devils sweep their two ACC matches on the weekend.

Zhang's match-clinching victory was his second in as many days as he also secured the Blue Devils' 4-2 win over Florida State on Friday in three sets. The Bloomfield Hills, Mich., native improves his overall record to 12-4 and is a perfect 5-0 when playing on court three.

The day began with Zhang and Michael Heller registering the 6-2 victory over Oren Vasser and Adria Soriano Barrera on court two in doubles play. The Hurricanes answered with a 6-3 win on court three after Stefan Milicevic and Bojan Jankulovski defeated Andrew Dale and Faris Khan. With the doubles point falling on the outcome of court one, No. 32 Franco Aubone and Benjamin Hannestad bested No. 12 Sean Sculley and Garrett Johns 7-6 (1) to hand the visitors the early lead.

The Blue Devils pulled even at 1-1 after No. 94 Johns made quick work of No. 34 Soriano Barrera 6-4, 6-4 in singles action. Dale and Heller then handed Duke the 3-1 lead following victories on court four and six, respectively. Dale finished first after his 6-2, 6-2 win over Milicevic before Heller earned the 7-5, 6-3 victory over Aubone.

Next, Miami claimed what would be its lone singles victory on court five after Vasser bested Khan 7-5, 6-4.

With two singles matches remaining and the score sitting at 3-2 in favor of the Blue Devils, Zhang battled back after dropping his opening set 7-5 to record 6-3, 6-4 victories in the remaining two sets to steal the win and clinch the match for the home side.

Sculley's match with Jankulovski went unfinished on court two but it had its fair share of thrilling moments as well. The two players each recorded set wins with Sculley claiming the opening frame 6-2 and Jankulovski earning the 6-3 win in the second. Right before Zhang's match clinching point on court three, Sculley fended off a Jankulovski set point to keep the Hurricanes from tying the overall match up at 3-3.

The Blue Devils next turn their attention to the ACC Tournament, which will be held in Rome, Ga., beginning Thursday, April 22 and running through until Sunday, April 25.

RESULTS
Singles (1,4,6,5,3*)
1. #94 Garrett Johns (DU) def. #34 A. Soriano Barrera (UM) 6-4, 6-4
2. Sean Sculley (DU) vs. Bojan Jankulovski (UM) 6-2, 3-6, 3-5, unfinished
3. Andrew Zhang (DU) def. Benjamin Hannestad (UM) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4
4. Andrew Dale (DU) def. Stefan Milicevic (UM) 6-2, 6-2
5. Oren Vasser (UM) def. Faris Khan (DU) 7-5, 6-4
6. Michael Heller (DU) def. Franco Aubone (UM) 7-5, 6-3

Doubles (2,3,1*)
1. #32 Franco Aubone/Benjamin Hannestad (UM) def. #12 Sean Sculley/Garrett Johns (DU) 7-6 (7-1)
2. Michael Heller/Andrew Zhang (DU) def. Oren Vasser/A. Soriano Barrera (UM) 6-2
3. Stefan Milicevic/Bojan Jankulovski (UM) def. Andrew Dale/Faris Khan (DU) 6-3

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