Duke Continues to Roll With 5-2 Victory Over No. 13 North Carolina

Saturday, April 8

Chapel Hill, N.C.

2:30 p.m.

Duke University

[13] North Carolina

Duke Continues to Roll With 5-2 Victory Over No. 13 North Carolina

4/8/2023 7:49:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score

DURHAM – No. 16 Duke men's tennis secured its second-straight victory over No. 13 North Carolina on Saturday, 5-2, at Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center to improve to 9-1 in ACC play.

The Blue Devils (16-5, 9-1 ACC) tallied their fifth consecutive win, including their third straight over a top-25 program, while North Carolina dips to 15-7 overall and 7-3 in league play. Duke's nine ACC wins ties it with five others for the second-most in program history and most since 2013.

Sophomore Connor Krug earned his third match-clinching victory of the year when he defeated No. 113 Karl Poling in a three-set thriller on court four. The Lakewood Ranch, Fla., native is now 3-2 against nationally ranked opponents.

How It Happened

The Blue Devils controlled much of doubles action, securing the point following wins on court three and two, respectively.
Connor Krug and freshman Teddy Truwit made quick work of Benjamin Kittay and Logan Zapp on court three, 6-1, to begin play. Seniors and No. 45-ranked Michael Heller and Andrew Zhang then bested Will Jansen and Karl Poling, 7-5, on court two to claim the doubles point.
The match between No. 32 senior Garrett Johns and freshman Pedro Rodenas against No. 14 Ryan Seggerman and Casey Kania went unfinished with the teams knotted at 6-6 when the match was halted.
No. 85 Rodenas extended Duke's lead in singles play to 2-0 when he upended No. 30 Seggerman 6-2, 6-2 on court two.
The Tar Heels pulled even at 2-2 following wins on court three and six, respectively. Jansen defeated Zhang 6-1, 6-2 on court three before Kittay beat Jake Krug 6-4, 6-4 on court six.
No. 19 Johns then broke the deadlock with 7-5, 6-4 victories on the top court over No. 47 Brian Cernoch.
Connor Krug's match against Poling was the next to finish and his win clinched the match for Duke. Connor Krug recorded a 6-4 victory in the opening set before Poling tallied a 6-2 win in the second. With the match coming down to the outcome of the final frame, Connor Krug outlasted his nationally ranked foe 7-5 for his 12th dual win of the season.
Andrew Dale posted the Blue Devils' final win of the day on court five when he registered a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 win over Chris Li.

Notes

Duke has now won five consecutive matches, tying its season-best mark first achieved Feb. 24-March 17.
The Blue Devils recorded their ninth ACC win, which ties it with five others in program history for the second-most all-time.
Duke posted its 10th victory over a ranked opponent this season.
Both Connor Krug and Rodenas are on a five-matching winning streak.
Connor Krug earned his third match-clinching victory of the year.
Rodenas remains undefeated on court two with a mark of 10-0.

Quotes
"That was a hard-fought college tennis match against a really good team on their courts. We have so much respect for UNC, their program, and how good their players and coaches are. All credit tonight goes to my players and coaching staff. Our guys have developed a real sense of team grittiness and resiliency this past month or so, and they are embracing the challenges, adversity, and big moments. I am excited for the guys, and we need to keep it heads down and continue building." – Duke head coach Ramsey Smith

Next Match
The Blue Devils welcome Miami and Florida State to Ambler Tennis Stadium for their regular season weekend finale on April 14 and 16, respectively. Duke hosts the Hurricanes on Friday at 5 p.m. before welcoming the Seminoles on Sunday at noon. Both contests will be Royal Blue matches.

To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's tennis, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMTEN".

Results
Doubles (3,2)
1. #14 Ryan Seggerman/Casey Kania (NC) vs. #32 Garrett Johns/Pedro Rodenas (DU) 6-6, unfinished
2. #45 Michael Heller/Andrew Zhang (DU) def. Will Jansen/Karl Poling (NC) 7-5
3. Connor Krug/Teddy Truwit (DU) def. Benjamin Kittay/Logan Zapp (NC) 6-1

Singles (2,3,6,1,4,5)
1. #19 Garrett Johns (DU) def. #47 Brian Cernoch (NC) 7-5, 6-4
2. #85 Pedro Rodenas (DU) def. #30 Ryan Seggerman (NC) 6-2, 6-2
3. Will Jansen (NC) def. Andrew Zhang (DU) 6-1, 6-2
4. Connor Krug (DU) def. #113 Karl Poling (NC) 6-4, 2-6, 7-5
5. Andrew Dale (DU) def. Chris Li (NC) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
6. Benjamin Kittay (NC) def. Jake Krug (DU) 6-4, 6-4

#GoDuke