Jan. 27, 2008
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue (2-0) completed its weekend home series with a 6-1 win over Butler (0-6) Sunday afternoon at the Schwartz Tennis Center.
The Boilermakers have won 33 of their last 35 meetings against the Bulldogs.
"The Butler guys fought hard, but our guys took the fight out of them right at the start," said head coach Tim Madden. "That was today's goal, which we accomplished as a team. Get on top and don't let them back in."
Purdue started the dual with its second-straight doubles sweep, as Madden's combination switches worked to near perfection.
No. 1's Eric Ramos and P.J. Rose and No. 3's Paul Foley and Griff Nienberg each won 8-1 over their respective opponents. Slavko Bijelica and Jose Fuenmayor saddled Chris Herron and Ben Shafer with an 8-2 loss at No. 2.
The team chemistry between Ramos and Rose was anticipated by Madden.
"Their styles really compliment one another to execute any game plan," said Madden. "I'm going to expect success from them wherever and whenever they're placed together."
Singles was close to a cakewalk for Purdue, which received straight-set wins from Ramos, Nienberg, Foley and Eren Turkmenler at the No. 3 through 6 positions.
Nienberg's 6-1, 6-4 victory over Brandon Bayliss at No. 4 singles clinched the dual.
At No. 2 singles, Rose prevented a third set by holding off Chris Herron 6-4, 7-6 (2). Rose was down a few points in the second set before tying it at 6-6. He then went on to dominate the tiebreak.
Yesterday's hero, Bijelica, dropped a 6-4, 6-7 (6), 10-7 decision to Benji Raynauld at No. 1. Like Rose, Bijelica was down 5-3 in the second set before starting his impressive rally.
Purdue travels to Boston, Mass., next weekend for matches with Harvard (Feb. 2) and William and Mary (Feb. 3).