Duke Drops 4-1 Decision to No. 6 Tennessee in NCAA Second Round

Saturday, May 7

Knoxville, Tenn.

1 p.m.

Duke University

[6] Tennessee

Niroop Vallabhaneni and Faris Khan battle at ACCs

Duke Drops 4-1 Decision to No. 6 Tennessee in NCAA Second Round

5/7/2022 7:26:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 21 Duke fell 4-1 on Saturday afternoon to No. 6 Tennessee in the second round of the NCAA Men's Tennis Team Championship at Barksdale Stadium.

With the loss, the Blue Devils conclude their team season with an overall record of 17-9. Duke will still send its top singles player in junior Garrett Johns to the 2022 NCAA Singles Championship, which runs from May 19-22 at the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex in Champaign, Ill. The Volunteers (24-7) advance to next weekend's super regional round.

"We didn't get the result we wanted today, but I'm especially proud of this group and everything they have put into the program," Duke head coach Ramsey Smith said. "We battled today and won a phenomenal doubles point. I was so impressed with how we came out firing in doubles on all three courts. We took out two top ranking teams including last year's NCAA Champions.

"The momentum of the match switched at the end of the first sets of singles after we had a weather delay and had to move indoors," Smith added. "But that is out of our control. Tennessee handled it well and they made a big push when we went indoors. They played awfully well. [Andrew] Dale sprained his ankle at line six, which was also unfortunate, but we fought unit the very end. I felt we had a real shot to win the last three matches left on court."

The Blue Devils jumped out of the gate early and claimed the doubles point after victories on court one and two. Johns and teammate Michael Heller started the day besting No. 21 Emile Hudd and Shunsuke Mitsui on court two, 6-4. The sophomore doubles pair of Faris Khan and Niroop Vallabhaneni followed that up with another upset win on court one after earning a gritty 7-6 (6) tiebreak victory over No. 13 Adam Walton and Pat Harper. The doubles match between Sean Sculley and Andrew Zhang and Johannus Monday and Mark Wallner on court three went unfinished with the teams tied at 6-6. The home side held the slight 3-2 edge in the tiebreak when the match was halted.

Tennessee tied the overall match up at 1-1 when No. 74 Hudd defeated Connor Krug 6-1, 6-1 on court three. The Vols then claimed wins on court six and one to pull in front 3-1. Martim Prata bested Andrew Dale on court six 6-4, 6-2 before No. 3 Walton earned 6-4, 6-3 wins over No. 49 Johns on the top court.

Unfortunately for Duke, the home side secured the overall win after the result on court four went final. Mitsui defeated Khan 6-4, 7-6 (2) to hand the Volunteers their 24th victory of the year.

Two matches went unfinished on the day. No. 10 Monday was leading his match with Zhang on court two 7-6 (3), 5-4, while Harper and Edu Güell were knotted at one set each on court five. Güell registered a 6-4 victory in the first frame before Harper battled back for a 6-1 win in the second. Güell was in front 4-3 in the third set when the match was stopped.

"I love this group and am bummed they don't get to compete together anymore," Smith said. "But the future of the program is very bright, and we are moving in the right direction. Exited to keep building."

RESULTS
Singles (3,6,1,4*)
1. #3 Adam Walton (UT) def. #49 Garrett Johns (DU) 6-4, 6-3
2. #10 Johannus Monday (UT) vs. Andrew Zhang (DU) 7-6 (7-3), 5-4, unfinished
3. #74 Emile Hudd (UT) def. Connor Krug (DU) 6-1, 6-1
4. Shunsuke Mitsui (UT) def. Faris Khan (DU) 6-4, 7-6 (7-2)
5. Pat Harper (UT) vs. Edu Güell (DU) 4-6, 6-1, 3-4, unfinished
6. Martim Prata (UT) def. Andrew Dale (DU) 6-4, 6-2

Doubles (2,1*)
1. Niroop Vallabhaneni/Faris Khan (DU) def. #13 Adam Walton/Pat Harper (UT) 7-6 (8-6)
2. Garrett Johns/Michael Heller (DU) def. #21 Emile Hudd/Shunsuke Mitsui (UT) 6-4
3. Johannus Monday/Mark Wallner (UT) vs. Sean Sculley/Andrew Zhang (DU) 6-6 (3-2), unfinished

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