Northwestern University Athletics

Sunday, February 4
Evanston, Ill.
12 p.m. CT

Northwestern

4
vs
3

Duke

Goli vs. Oregon
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics

'Cats Down No. 8 Duke, Beat UIC

2/4/2024 9:22:00 PM | Men's Tennis

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern men's tennis notched a top-ten takedown on Sunday at Combe Tennis Center, downing No. 8 Duke in the first half of a doubleheader sweep at home. Following their 4-3 victory over the Blue Devils, the 'Cats finished off UIC, 4-1, in the nightcap.

Duke started off the day with a 6-2 win at #2 doubles, but the 'Cats took the remaining two courts and the doubles point to put them out to an early 1-0 lead. Chad Miller and Saiprakash Goli picked up their first win as a pair from the number three position before Felix Nordby and Gleb Blekher closed the deal with a 6-4 victory at #1.

In the singles portion of the match, Presley Thieneman increased the 'Cats' lead with a win in straight sets at #2, picking up a 6-2, 6-2 win to improve to 3-3 on the season individually. Nordby then picked up a 6-3, 6-2 win at #4 singles to make it a 3-0 lead for Northwestern.

All three of the next decisions went in the Blue Devils' favor, knotting the score up a three all. The match came down to the number three position, where Goli faced off with Duke's Connor Krug. The first set went to tiebreak, where Krug edged out a 7-6 (7-4) victory, but Goli bounced back with a 6-2 win in set two. Once set three also reached tiebreak, Goli came through with a 7-6 (7-3) win to clinch the 'Cats' 4-3 victory.

In the second half of the day's action, the 'Cats once again opened with a pair of victories to clinch the doubles point. Miller and Goli picked up another win at #3 doubles, then Thieneman and Greyson Casey won 3-2 at #2 to lock it in.

Thieneman continued his success during singles play, collecting a dominant 6-0, 6-1 win. Blekher also won in decisive fashion, blanking his opponent in the first set en route to a 6-0, 6-2 win from the top position. Miller accounted for the final Northwestern point with his fourth win of the day, clinching a doubleheader sweep for the 'Cats with a 6-4, 6-3 win.

The Wildcats will continue their homestand next Friday at Combe, when they host the Alabama Crimson Tide. First serve in that match is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 

Team Stats

#1 Doubles Match

1
Johns, Garrett/ Rodenas, Pedro [DU]
4
6

#2 Doubles Match

1
Heller, Michael/ Zhang, Andrew (14/-) [DU]
6
2

#3 Doubles Match

1
Krug, Connor/ Khan, Faris [DU]
4
6

Order of Finish:

2,3,1

#1 Singles Match

123
Johns, Garrett / 0 [DU]
366
LogoBlekher, Gleb / 0 [NUM]
632

#2 Singles Match

12
Zhang, Andrew / 0 [DU]
22
LogoThieneman, Presley / 0 [NUM]
66

#3 Singles Match

123
Krug, Connor / 0 [DU]
726
LogoGoli, Saiprakash / 0 [NUM]
667

#4 Singles Match

12
Dale, Andrew / 0 [DU]
32
LogoNordby, Felix / 0 [NUM]
66

#5 Singles Match

123
Krug, Jake / 0 [DU]
636
LogoCasey, Greyson / 0 [NUM]
463

#6 Singles Match

123
Visser, Alexander / 0 [DU]
666
LogoMiller, Chad / 0 [NUM]
472

Order of Finish:

2,4,5,1,6,3

Players Mentioned

/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
David G. Kabiller NU for Life Program - 2025 Video
Tuesday, August 19
This is Northwestern Athletics | 2024-25 Recap
Tuesday, August 19
Northwestern Tennis | New Locker Room Virtual Tour
Wednesday, October 11
Men's Tennis- Gleb Blekher's Ace Clinches Berth in NCAA Tournament Second Round (5/5/23)
Friday, May 05