March 9, 2007
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue's season-opening seven-match win streak was snapped by No. 5 Illinois, 6-1, Friday night at the Schwartz Tennis Center. The Fighting Illini improved to 9-3, 2-0 Big Ten, while the Boilermakers dropped to 7-1, 1-1 Big Ten.
"Illinois is the real deal and there's a good reason why they are ranked as high as they are," said Purdue head coach Tim Madden. "They make you deal with firepower, athleticism and smart play."
The Boilermakers utilized new combinations across all three courts in an effort to spark their doubles, but were unable to break their opening-point losing skid. The No. 2 and 3 teams had a chance to win the point as both tandems fought back to 5-5 ties, but the Illini opposition strengthened as the matches progressed.
"We tried to create some chemistry with our doubles pairings, but Illinois proved they are one of the best doubles schools in the country. Hopefully we learned something from them in defeat," said Madden.
Even though Purdue had been surrendering the doubles point over the last three matches, it was able to rebound and capture a majority of singles. Unfortunately, that pattern did not continue against Illinois.
Scott Warner at No. 6 singles was the lone Boilermaker to win his match, beating Illini freshman Jordan Knue 6-1, 7-6 (4). Warner, a senior from Greeley, Colo., has won his last two decisions in improving to 8-2 on the spring.
At No. 5 singles, freshman Paul Foley rallied from a set down against junior Brandon Davis, but fell short in a super tiebreak, 10-5, with the match already clinched by Illinois.
Senior Paul Rose came close to taking a set from No. 5 Ryan Anderson at No. 1 singles, but the Illini junior was able fight out of a 6-5 hole and win the tiebreak 7-5.
The Boilermakers will look to begin another winning streak Saturday at noon when they play host to No. 29 Wisconsin (7-2, 1-1 Big Ten). Admission to all Purdue home matches is free.
#5 Illinois 6, Purdue University 1
Singles competition
1. #2 Kevin Anderson (ILL) def. Paul Rose (PUR) 6-2, 7-6 (7-5)
2. #5 Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. Branko Kuzmanovic (PUR) 6-4, 6-2
3. #12 Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. Eric Hodgman (PUR) 6-1, 6-2
4. #30 GD Jones (ILL) def. Kurt Zaske (PUR) 7-6 (7-4), 6-0
5. Brandon Davis (ILL) def. Paul Foley (PUR) 6-3, 4-6, 10-5
6. Scott Warner (PUR) def. Jordan Knue (ILL) 6-1, 7-6 (7-4)
Doubles competition
1. #34 Kevin Anderson/Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. Kurt Zaske/Scott Warner (PUR) 8-2
2. GD Jones/Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. Branko Kuzmanovic/Eric Hodgman (PUR) 8-6
3. Brandon Davis/Jordan Knue (ILL) def. Paul Foley/Paul Rose (PUR) 8-5
Match Notes:
Illinois 9-3 (2-0 Big Ten); National ranking #5
Purdue University 7-1 (1-1 Big Ten)
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (3,2,4,6,1,5)
T-3:10 A-53