University of Georgia Athletics
Illini Stun No. 2 Buckeyes in NCAA Quarterfinals, 4-2
May 19, 2007 | General
ATHENS, Ga. --- The 10th-seeded Illinois men’s tennis team dropped a tight doubles point, but the Fighting Illini stormed back to win four singles matches and take the victory from No. 2 Ohio State in the NCAA Quarterfinals, 4-2, on Saturday at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
Illinois advances to the NCAA Semifinals for a match-up with No. 3 Baylor on Monday at 9 a.m. The Illini are back in the semifinal round for the first time since 2004. They won the national title in 2003 the last time the championships were held in Athens.
Illinois (22-8) handed Ohio State (30-2) just its second loss of the year. The Buckeyes had defeated the Illini twice already in 2007. Once it was a 7-0 beating in the regular season and then again 4-1 in the Big 10 Tournament finals.
In this match, however, it was the Illini who came out on top, ignited by a quick straight-sets victory by Kevin Anderson on court one over Bryan Koniecko, 6-2, 6-1. A three-set decisions went Illinois’ way on court four, and then GD Jones won in two straight tiebreakers for Illinois’ third point.
Leading 3-2, Marc Spicijaric closed out the match with his three-set victory over 27th-ranked Devin Mullings on court five to advance the Illini to the semifinals and end a four-hour match.
Tennis Match Results
#10 Illinois 4, #2 Ohio State 2
Singles competition
1. #5 Kevin Anderson (ILL) def. #20 Bryan Koniecko (OSU) 6-2, 6-1
2. #6 Steven Moneke (OSU) vs. #22 Ryan Rowe (ILL) 6-4, 6-7, 5-4, unfinished
3. Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. #27 Devin Mullings (OSU) 6-7, 7-5, 6-1
4. Ruben Gonzales (ILL) def. Justin Kronauge (OSU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
5. GD Jones (ILL) def. #93 Chris Klingemann (OSU) 7-6, 7-6
6. Drew Eberly (OSU) def. Billy Heiser (ILL) 2-6, 7-5, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. #11 Chris Klingemann/Devin Mullings (OSU) vs. #8 Kevin Anderson/Ryan Rowe (ILL) 3-7, unfinished
2. #48 Drew Eberly/Justin Kronauge (OSU) def. Brandon Davis/Ruben Gonzales (ILL) 8-6
3. Bryan Koniecko/Steven Moneke (OSU) def. GD Jones/Marc Spicijaric (ILL) 8-5
Match Notes:
Illinois 22-8; National ranking #10
Ohio State 30-2; National ranking #2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (1,4,6,5,3)
T-4:04
Illinois advances to the NCAA Semifinals for a match-up with No. 3 Baylor on Monday at 9 a.m. The Illini are back in the semifinal round for the first time since 2004. They won the national title in 2003 the last time the championships were held in Athens.
Illinois (22-8) handed Ohio State (30-2) just its second loss of the year. The Buckeyes had defeated the Illini twice already in 2007. Once it was a 7-0 beating in the regular season and then again 4-1 in the Big 10 Tournament finals.
In this match, however, it was the Illini who came out on top, ignited by a quick straight-sets victory by Kevin Anderson on court one over Bryan Koniecko, 6-2, 6-1. A three-set decisions went Illinois’ way on court four, and then GD Jones won in two straight tiebreakers for Illinois’ third point.
Leading 3-2, Marc Spicijaric closed out the match with his three-set victory over 27th-ranked Devin Mullings on court five to advance the Illini to the semifinals and end a four-hour match.
Tennis Match Results
#10 Illinois 4, #2 Ohio State 2
Singles competition
1. #5 Kevin Anderson (ILL) def. #20 Bryan Koniecko (OSU) 6-2, 6-1
2. #6 Steven Moneke (OSU) vs. #22 Ryan Rowe (ILL) 6-4, 6-7, 5-4, unfinished
3. Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. #27 Devin Mullings (OSU) 6-7, 7-5, 6-1
4. Ruben Gonzales (ILL) def. Justin Kronauge (OSU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
5. GD Jones (ILL) def. #93 Chris Klingemann (OSU) 7-6, 7-6
6. Drew Eberly (OSU) def. Billy Heiser (ILL) 2-6, 7-5, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. #11 Chris Klingemann/Devin Mullings (OSU) vs. #8 Kevin Anderson/Ryan Rowe (ILL) 3-7, unfinished
2. #48 Drew Eberly/Justin Kronauge (OSU) def. Brandon Davis/Ruben Gonzales (ILL) 8-6
3. Bryan Koniecko/Steven Moneke (OSU) def. GD Jones/Marc Spicijaric (ILL) 8-5
Match Notes:
Illinois 22-8; National ranking #10
Ohio State 30-2; National ranking #2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (1,4,6,5,3)
T-4:04
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