Upcoming Event: Men's Tennis versus ITA Regional Championship on October 16, 2025
Men's Tennis
vs ITA Regional Championship
Sunday, February 13
Durham, N.C.
12 p.m.
Duke University
2
vs
4
[10] Kentucky
Duke Falls to No. 10 Kentucky, 4-2
2/13/2022 4:19:00 PM | Men's Tennis
DURHAM – Duke men's tennis dropped a 4-2 decision to No. 10 Kentucky on Sunday afternoon in Sheffield Indoor Tennis Center.
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The Blue Devils dip to 4-3 on the year, while the Wildcats improve to 8-1.
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In three thrilling doubles matches, Kentucky held on down the stretch to secure the 1-0 advantage heading into singles play. Connor Krug and Andrew Zhang started the day off by besting Yasha Zemel and Francois Musitelli, 6-3, on court two. No. 22 Joshua Lapadat and JJ Mercer responded for Kentucky by winning the doubles match on court three over Faris Khan and Niroop Vallabhaneni, 6-4, pulling things even at 1-1. With the doubles points coming down to the outcome on court one, Liam Draxl and Millen Hurrion outlasted No. 45 Garrett Johns and Sean Sculley in tie-break fashion, 7-6 (3), to earn the win.
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The Wildcats continued that momentum by extending their advantage to 3-0 after recording wins in the opening two singles matches. Musitelli beat No. 107 Krug 6-0, 6-4 on court four, before No. 5 Gabriel Diallo bested Sculley 6-2, 6-2 on court three.
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Duke would battle back though, recording wins on court six and five to pull within 3-2. Vallabhaneni registered 6-4, 6-3 victories over Zemel on court six to hand the Blue Devils their first point in the match. Andrew Dale then defeated Mercer on court five 6-3, 6-4 to chip away at the Wildcats' lead.
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Unfortunately, Duke's nationally ranked opponent would secure the overall win on court two after Hurrion beat No. 103 Zhang 6-2, 6-4.
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The singles match on the top court between Johns and Draxl went unfinished, with Draxl holding the advantage 7-5, 4-3.
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The Blue Devils hit the road next weekend for their make-up match against Illinois on Saturday at 12 p.m. CT. Duke was originally scheduled to play the Illini on Friday, Feb. 4 but had to reschedule due to inclement weather.
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RESULTS
Doubles (2,3,1*)
1. Liam Draxl/Millen Hurrion (UK) def. #45 Garrett Johns/Sean Sculley (DU) 7-6 (7-3)
2. Connor Krug/Andrew Zhang (DU) def. Yasha Zemel/Francois Musitelli (UK) 6-3
3. #22 Joshua Lapadat/JJ Mercer (UK) def. Faris Khan/Niroop Vallabhaneni (DU) 6-4
Singles (4,3,6,5,2*)
1. Garrett Johns (DU) vs. Liam Draxl (UK) 5-7, 3-4, unfinished
2. Millen Hurrion (UK) def. #103 Andrew Zhang (DU) 6-2, 6-4
3. #5 Gabriel Diallo (UK) def. Sean Sculley (DU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Francois Musitelli (UK) def. #107 Connor Krug (DU) 6-0, 6-4
5. Andrew Dale (DU) def. JJ Mercer (UK) 6-3, 6-4
6. Niroop Vallabhaneni (DU) def. Yasha Zemel (UK) 6-4, 6-3
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#GoDuke
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The Blue Devils dip to 4-3 on the year, while the Wildcats improve to 8-1.
Â
In three thrilling doubles matches, Kentucky held on down the stretch to secure the 1-0 advantage heading into singles play. Connor Krug and Andrew Zhang started the day off by besting Yasha Zemel and Francois Musitelli, 6-3, on court two. No. 22 Joshua Lapadat and JJ Mercer responded for Kentucky by winning the doubles match on court three over Faris Khan and Niroop Vallabhaneni, 6-4, pulling things even at 1-1. With the doubles points coming down to the outcome on court one, Liam Draxl and Millen Hurrion outlasted No. 45 Garrett Johns and Sean Sculley in tie-break fashion, 7-6 (3), to earn the win.
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The Wildcats continued that momentum by extending their advantage to 3-0 after recording wins in the opening two singles matches. Musitelli beat No. 107 Krug 6-0, 6-4 on court four, before No. 5 Gabriel Diallo bested Sculley 6-2, 6-2 on court three.
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Duke would battle back though, recording wins on court six and five to pull within 3-2. Vallabhaneni registered 6-4, 6-3 victories over Zemel on court six to hand the Blue Devils their first point in the match. Andrew Dale then defeated Mercer on court five 6-3, 6-4 to chip away at the Wildcats' lead.
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Unfortunately, Duke's nationally ranked opponent would secure the overall win on court two after Hurrion beat No. 103 Zhang 6-2, 6-4.
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The singles match on the top court between Johns and Draxl went unfinished, with Draxl holding the advantage 7-5, 4-3.
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The Blue Devils hit the road next weekend for their make-up match against Illinois on Saturday at 12 p.m. CT. Duke was originally scheduled to play the Illini on Friday, Feb. 4 but had to reschedule due to inclement weather.
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RESULTS
Doubles (2,3,1*)
1. Liam Draxl/Millen Hurrion (UK) def. #45 Garrett Johns/Sean Sculley (DU) 7-6 (7-3)
2. Connor Krug/Andrew Zhang (DU) def. Yasha Zemel/Francois Musitelli (UK) 6-3
3. #22 Joshua Lapadat/JJ Mercer (UK) def. Faris Khan/Niroop Vallabhaneni (DU) 6-4
Singles (4,3,6,5,2*)
1. Garrett Johns (DU) vs. Liam Draxl (UK) 5-7, 3-4, unfinished
2. Millen Hurrion (UK) def. #103 Andrew Zhang (DU) 6-2, 6-4
3. #5 Gabriel Diallo (UK) def. Sean Sculley (DU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Francois Musitelli (UK) def. #107 Connor Krug (DU) 6-0, 6-4
5. Andrew Dale (DU) def. JJ Mercer (UK) 6-3, 6-4
6. Niroop Vallabhaneni (DU) def. Yasha Zemel (UK) 6-4, 6-3
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#GoDuke
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Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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