Blue Devils Fall in Nailbiter at Northwestern, 4-3

Sunday, February 4

Evanston, Ill.

1 p.m. (12 p.m. CT)

Duke University

Northwestern

Blue Devils Fall in Nailbiter at Northwestern, 4-3

2/4/2024 7:20:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score

DURHAM – No. 8 Duke men's tennis was edged by Northwestern on Sunday afternoon, 4-3, at Combe Tennis Center.

The Blue Devils fall to 5-2 overall, while the Wildcats improve to 2-5.

How It Happened

No. 14 Michael Heller and Andrew Zhang began doubles play with a 6-2 victory over Presley Thieneman and Greyson Casey on court two. Chad Miller and Saiprakash Goli then defeated Connor Krug and Faris Khan on court three, 6-4, to knot the doubles points up at 1-1. With the doubles point coming down to the outcome on court one, unfortunately Felix Nordby and Gleb Blekher outlasted Garrett Johns and Pedro Rodenas, 6-4, to secure the overall point.
Northwestern extended its lead to 3-0 early in singles action after wins on court two and four, respectively. Thieneman bested Zhang 6-2, 6-2, before Nordby defeated Andrew Dale 6-3, 6-2.
The Blue Devils would then fight all the way back to knot the match up at 3-3.
Jake Krug started the rally with a three-set victory over Casey on court five. The Lakewood, Ranch, Fla., native tallied a 6-4 win in the first set but dropped the second, 6-3. Fortunately, he was able to rebound for a 6-3 victory in the final frame to record his sixth dual win this season.
Johns followed that up with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Blekher on the top court to pull Duke within one at 3-2.
Rookie Alexander Visser then tied the match following his three-set victory over Miller on court six. He earned a 6-4 in the first frame but fell in a tiebreak during the second 7-6 (4). The Westport, Conn., native then bounced back for a 6-2 win in the final set for his second career dual victory.
With the overall match coming down to the decision on court three, Goli outlasted Connor Krug, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 7-6 (3) to clinch the win for the Wildcats.

Notes

Jake Krug remains undefeated in singles action and sits with a 6-0 mark on the year.
Visser improved to 2-0 on court six, while Johns shifted to 3-1 on the main court.
No. 14 Heller and Zhang tallied their fourth doubles win this season, which leads the Blue Devils.

Next Match

Duke is back at home on Friday when it welcomes Yale for a 5 p.m. match at Sheffield Indoor Tennis Center. Two days later, the Blue Devils host Kentucky at noon.

Results
Doubles (2,3,1*)
1. Felix Nordby/Gleb Blekher (NU) def. Garrett Johns/Pedro Rodenas (DU) 6-4
2. #14 Michael Heller/Andrew Zhang (DU) def. Presley Thieneman/Greyson Casey (NU) 6-2
3. Chad Miller/Saiprakash Goli (NU) def. Connor Krug/Faris Khan (DU) 6-4

Singles (2,4,5,1,6,3*)
1. Garrett Johns (DU) def. Gleb Blekher (NU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
2. Presley Thieneman (NU) def. Andrew Zhang (DU) 6-2, 6-2
3. Saiprakash Goli (NU) def. Connor Krug (DU) 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, 7-6 (7-3)
4. Felix Nordby (NU) def. Andrew Dale (DU) 6-3, 6-2
5. Jake Krug (DU) def. Greyson Casey (NU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
6. Alexander Visser (DU) def. Chad Miller (NU) 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2

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