April 27, 2007
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue's feel-good story at the Big Ten Championships ended too soon as third-seeded and ninth-ranked Illinois topped the Boilermakers 4-1 Friday afternoon in the conference quarterfinals.
Freshman Paul Foley was Purdue's lone winner. The Dublin, Ireland, native won in straight sets over G.D. Jones, 6-2, 7-5. Foley completed his rookie campaign with a record of 17-16, as he posted a 14-11 spring record after going 3-5 in the fall.
Foley and freshman Branko Kuzmanovic are expected to lead the Boilermakers next season. Kuzmanovic lost Friday to fifth-ranked Kevin Anderson at No. 1 singles, 6-4, 6-2, but held his own at the top of Purdue's lineup, recording a 12-10 spring record.
Seniors Eric Hodgman and Paul Rose both lost in straight sets. Marc Spicijaric defeated Hodgman at No. 3 singles, 6-3, 6-1, then No. 23 Ryan Rowe clinched the match at No. 2 with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Rose.
In spite of the loss, head coach Tim Madden was proud of the way the Boilermakers competed this week.
"(Thursday) it was a thrill to watch them go out and play like winners and get the job done decisively," said Madden, whose Boilermakers upset sixth-seeded Minnesota 4-1 in the first round. "Today, we were outmatched. Illinois is one of the most talented teams in the country and they play with that kind of confidence.
"We put on a good show at home. It's nice for these guys to do this at home and leave this season with a confident feeling."
Illinois' win improved its series lead over Purdue to 77-8-1. The Boilermakers have not beat the Illini since March 30, 1993 - a 6-1 win.
The Boilermakers finished their season at 9-14 and 1-9 against the Big Ten. Illinois improved to 17-7 and will play No. 2 seed Michigan (19-5, 8-2) in Saturday's second semifinal match scheduled for 2 p.m. at Purdue's Schwartz Tennis Center.
No. 1 seed and defending Big Ten Champion Ohio State (25-1, 10-0) will face fourth-seed Wisconsin (15-9, 6-4) in the first semifinal at 10 a.m.
For more information on the Big Ten Men's Tennis Championships, please click here.
#9 Illinois 4, Purdue 1
Singles competition
1. #5 Kevin Anderson (ILL) def. Branko Kuzmanovic (PUR) 6-4, 6-2
2. #23 Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. Paul Rose (PUR) 6-4, 6-3
3. Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. Eric Hodgman (PUR) 6-3, 6-1
4. Kurt Zaske (PUR) vs. Ruben Gonzales (ILL) 3-6, 6-1, unfinished
5. Paul Foley (PUR) def. GD Jones (ILL) 6-2, 7-5
6. Scott Warner (PUR) vs. Brandon Davis (ILL) 6-7 (4-7), 1-1, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. #9 Ryan Rowe/Kevin Anderson (ILL) def. Branko Kuzmanovic/Paul Rose (PUR) 8-4
2. Eric Hodgman/Jose Fuenmayor (PUR) vs. Brandon Davis/Ruben Gonzales (ILL) 6-6, unfinished
3. GD Jones/Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. Paul Foley/Griffin Nienberg (PUR) 8-4
Match Notes:
Illinois (17-7, 8-2 Big Ten): No. 3 Seed
Purdue (9-14, 1-9 Big Ten): No. 11 Seed
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (3,5,1,2)
Attendance: 96
Time of Match: 2:15