March 23, 2007
By Jeff Rosa
Purdue sports information student assistant
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue men's tennis team added another victory to their schedule by beating the Indiana State Sycamores 6-1. The victory lifted the Boilers to 8-4, 1-2 in the Big Ten. The Sycamores fell to 4-7.
The Boilers started off strong, winning all three doubles matches to earn the doubles point for the first time in over a month.
The team of senior Eric Hodgman and sophomore Kurt Zaske finished their match first with a score of 8-3 over the Sycamore team of Michael Wenham and Jon Sigurdsson. Clinching the doubles point was the team of sophomore Griffin Nienberg and freshman Paul Foley who also won 8-3 over their opponents Mpiloenhle Migogo.
Rounding out the doubles matches for the Boilers was the team of senior Paul Rose and freshman Branko Kuzmanovic who beat the ISU team of Rishi Behl and Anton Tsymbalov with a score of 8-6.
"Our first priority was to create positive doubles chemistry and it was there on all three courts," said head coach Tim Madden. "Winning doubles was the best part of this match because it allowed us to play singles with confidence."
Rose grabbed the first singles point for the Boilers by beating his ISU opponent Rishi Behl in two sets, 6-2, 6-4, at No. 2 singles. At No. 6 singles Nienberg scored the third point for the Boilers by getting a 6-2, 6-4 over Jon Sigurdsson.
Zaske clinched the match for the Boilers by beating Bruno Echer in three sets, 6-3, 3-6, 6-0.
Both Kuzmanovic and Foley won three-set super-tiebreaks over their respective opponents after the dual was settled. Kuzmanovic defeated Anton Tsymbalov 4-6, 7-5, 10-4, while Foley disposed of Michael Wenham 4-6, 6-2, 10-5.
The Boilers return to action on Sunday, March 25, at home against the fifth ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The action starts at noon.
Purdue University 6, Indiana State 1
Singles competition
1. Branko Kuzmanovic (PUR) def. Anton Tsymbalov (ISU) 4-6, 7-5, 10-4
2. Paul Rose (PUR) def. Rishi Behl (ISU) 6-2, 6-4
3. Mpiloenhle Migogo (ISU) def. Eric Hodgman (PUR) 0-6, 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-3)
4. Kurt Zaske (PUR) def. Bruno Echer (ISU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-0
5. Paul Foley (PUR) def. Michael Wenham (ISU) 4-6, 6-2, 10-5
6. Griffin Nienberg (PUR) def. Jon Sigurdsson (ISU) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Branko Kuzmanovic/Paul Rose (PUR) def. Rishi Behl/Anton Tsymbalov (ISU) 8-6
2. Eric Hodgman/Kurt Zaske (PUR) def. Michael Wenham/Jon Sigurdsson (ISU) 8-3
3. Paul Foley/Griffin Nienberg (PUR) def. Mpiloenhle Migogo/Bruno Echer (ISU) 8-3
Match Notes:
Indiana State 4-7, 0-0 MVC
Purdue University 8-4, 1-2 Big Ten
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (2,6,4,5,1,3)
T-3:43 A-22