Illinois Uses Strong Singles Play in Ranked Home Win Over #15 Duke

URBANA, Ill. – Illinois closed its doubleheader with a 4-1 ranked win over No. 15 Duke at Atkins Tennis Center on Friday night.

After the visitors won the doubles point, the Fighting Illini recorded singles wins at the No. 1, 3, 4, and 6 spots to improve to 3-2 and earn their second ranked victory of the campaign.

"We've had some great matches with Duke over the years, and I have a ton of respect for their coaching staff and a ton of respect for their athletes," said head coach Brad Dancer. "It was another really fun atmosphere here at Atkins Tennis Center tonight. I want to thank all of our fans who came out and made it a special evening.

"Having said that, the coaches have not done enough in doubles to prepare the team for where we need to be. I'm really pleased with the way the team responded in singles. You look at the emergence of Hayden Jones as a freshman, and the progress he has made in the last few weeks has been enjoyable. Jilly was outstanding today. Kenta put together another fantastic performance on Court 1 and gave the crowd all the delights that they were looking for. I really think the MVP of the day was senior Will Mroz and his grittiness and toughness, especially in the first set. His serving prowess came through in the end. Great win for the team and obviously we have a huge challenge coming up at Kentucky. We know how good they are, but we're looking forward to it."

The Blue Devils established a 1-0 edge after securing the doubles point behind wins at No. 2 and 3.

The Illini started strong in singles, claiming the opening frame on all six courts. Hayden Jones was ultimately the first to finish, securing his second singles win of the day via a straight-set victory over Duke's Saahith Jayaraman on Court 6. Breaking three times in the opening frame, the freshman needed only a break in the fourth game of the second set to post a 6-1, 6-3 win.

With the sides battling on the remaining five courts in progress, it was William Mroz who claimed the next Illini singles victory. After fighting off multiple set points, Mroz forced a tiebreaker and eventually took the opening frame, 7-6(3). A break in the sixth game of the second set proved the difference as both players held serve otherwise in Mroz's 6-3 second-set decision and two-set triumph over Alexander Visser.

Just as Duke looked to have generated some momentum, Kenta Miyoshi overcame a late break to fight past Cooper Williams in straight sets on the top singles court. Miyoshi took the opening frame, 6-3, behind a break in the second game of the night. In the second set, Miyoshi looked to serve out the match up 5-4 but got broken and went into a tiebreaker. Overcoming an early 3-1 deficit, Miyoshi powered his way to a 7-6(6) outcome in the second set.

With the remaining three matches heading to a third set, Adam Jilly clinched the Fighting Illini victory with a gritty 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 decision against Gerard Planelles Ripoll at No. 4 singles. After the sides split the opening two sets, Jilly broke in the sixth game of the deciding frame en route to the first clinch of his collegiate career. 

RESULTS

Doubles
No. 1: Kenta Miyoshi/Adam Jilly (Illinois) vs. Cooper Williams/Pedro Rodenas (Duke), 4-5, unfinished
No. 2: Dylan Long/Gerard Planelles Ripoll (Duke) def. Gabriel Debru/Sasha Colleu (Illinois), 6-3 
No. 3: Alexander Visser/Teddy Truwit (Duke) def. William Mroz/Zach Viiala (Illinois), 6-2

Order of finish: 3, 2

Singles
No. 1: No. 10 Kenta Miyoshi (Illinois) def. Cooper Williams (Duke), 6-3, 7-6(6)
No. 2: Gabriel Debru (Illinois) vs. Pedro Rodenas (Duke), 7-5, 5-7, unfinished
No. 3: William Mroz (Illinois) def. Alexander Visser (Duke), 7-6(3), 6-3
No. 4: No. 87 Adam Jilly (Illinois) def. Gerard Planelles Ripoll (Duke), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3
No. 5: Sasha Colleu (Illinois) vs. Dylan Long (Duke), 7-5, 4-6, 3-2, unfinished
No. 6: Hayden Jones (Illinois) def. Saahith Jayaraman (Duke), 6-1, 6-3

Order of finish: 6, 3, 1, 4 

UP NEXT

Illinois (3-2) returns to action on Sunday, Feb. 8, for a road rematch against Kentucky. The Illini and the Wildcats are set to square off at 11 a.m. in Lexington, Ky., in their second meeting of the season after the Orange and Blue posted a 4-2 win during ITA Kickoff Weekend.