Blue Devils Improve to 2-0 in ACC with 4-2 win over Louisville

Friday, March 3

Louisville, Ky.

2 p.m.

Duke University

[23] Louisville

Blue Devils Improve to 2-0 in ACC with 4-2 win over Louisville

3/3/2023 7:03:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score

DURHAM – No. 22 Duke men's tennis bested No. 20 Louisville on Friday afternoon at the Bass-Rudd Tennis Center for its second ACC win of the year.

The Blue Devils (9-4, 2-0 ACC) handed the Cardinals (9-3, 0-1 ACC) their third loss of the season and ended their four-match winning streak. With the win, Duke extended its winning streak to three straight.

Junior Andrew Dale secured the victory for Duke after recording his second match-clinching win of the year on court five.

How It Happened

Rookie Pedro Rodenas got the Blue Devils started with his second victory over a nationally ranked foe when he defeated No. 44 Natan Rodrigues 6-4, 6-3 on court two.
The Cardinals tied the match up after No. 49 Fabien Salle recorded a three-set victory over senior Andrew Zhang on court three. The Bloomfield Hills, Mich., native registered a 7-6 (5) tiebreak win in the opening set but dropped the next two 6-1, 6-3.
Senior No. 5 Garrett Johns put the Blue Devils back on top, 2-1, following his 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 victory over No. 23 Etienne Donnet on the top court.
Louisville would not go away, tying the overall match up at 2-2 after Matthew Fung defeated freshman Connor Krug on court four 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Duke again pulled in front following Michael Heller's win on court six. The Boca Raton, Fla., native posted a 6-1 win in the first frame but dropped the second 6-4. The senior bounced back to secure the 6-4 victory in the final set for his fourth dual win of the year.
The match on court five was the last to finish with Dale clinching the overall match for the Blue Devils. He dropped his opening set 6-4 to Sergio Hernandez but rebounded for 6-4, 6-2 wins in the final two frames.
Due to the match already being clinched, no doubles matches were played.

Notes

Five of the six singles matches went to a third set.
Rodenas improves to 12-1 in dual matches, while Johns shifts to 9-3, including a 5-2 mark against nationally ranked opponents.

Quotes
"That was a really gritty ACC road win, and I couldn't be prouder of my guys and their toughness. At the last minute we had to move the match two hours early and play singles first because of tornado warnings and our guys handled it incredibly well. We have a lot of respect for Louisville and their coaching staff, and it was great to see the guys step up and get the job done." – Duke head coach Ramsey Smith on his thoughts from Friday's match

Next Match
The Blue Devils head to South Bend on Sunday for a matchup with Notre Dame at noon at the Eck Tennis Pavilion. The Fighting Irish host North Carolina on Friday prior to welcoming Duke.

To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's tennis, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMTEN".

Results
Doubles (N/A)
1. #14 Fabien Salle/Natan Rodrigues (LOU-MT) vs. #51 Michael Heller/Andrew Zhang (DU) unfinished
2. Matthew Fung/Alex Wesbrooks (LOU-MT) vs. Garrett Johns/Pedro Rodenas (DU) unfinished
3. Etienne Donnet/Sergio Hernandez (LOU-MT) vs. Teddy Truwit/Connor Krug (DU) unfinished

Singles (2,3,1,4,6)
1. #5 Garrett Johns (DU) def. #24 Etienne Donnet (LOU-MT) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
2. Pedro Rodenas (DU) def. #44 Natan Rodrigues (LOU-MT) 6-4, 6-3
3. #49 Fabien Salle (LOU-MT) def. Andrew Zhang (DU) 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 6-3
4. Matthew Fung (LOU-MT) def. Connor Krug (DU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
5. Andrew Dale (DU) def. Sergio Hernandez (LOU-MT) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
6. Michael Heller (DU) def. David Mizrahi (LOU-MT) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4

#GoDuke