CHAPEL HILL - After the men's tennis team suffered injuries to two key members, it would have been perfectly understandable if Duke finally had a letdown this season. But the Blue Devils are thinking otherwise as they continue their remarkable run to the top of collegiate tennis.
The fourth-ranked Blue Devils, who have knocked off four ranked opponents this season, opened the ACC season by dominating a struggling Florida State (8-5, 1-2) team, 6-1, yesterday at the Chapel Hill Tennis Club. The victory improved the Blue Devils' dual match record to 6-2 for the season.
The victory was impressive as the Blue Devils had to deal with injury problems which forced junior Pedro Escudero and sophomore Porter Jones to sit out against the Seminoles. A nagging elbow injury kept Escudero out of his usual spot at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles while pain from a previously broken ankle forced Smith out of his No. 3 singles and doubles spot.
"With Pedro and Ramsey out, I really needed for other guys to step up their play," coach Jay Lapidus said. "The rest of the team responded and played extremely well today."
Despite the injuries, Lapidus was able to take advantage of Duke's immense depth as he made a key change in the doubles lineup. He replaced Escudero with sophomore Andres Pedroso to team up with Doug Root at No. 2 doubles and moved the senior tandem of Dmitry Muzyka and Jordan Wile to No. 1 doubles. Sophomore Ted Rueger replaced Smith in doubles with Porter Jones and also played at No. 6 singles. The moves payed off for the Blue Devils as they swept Florida State for the doubles point and paved the way to dominate the Seminoles in singles.
Muzyka and Wile had the Seminoles' duo of Ty Braswell and Davidson Kozlowski on the ropes as they were up a break twice in the match. But they gave up the lead, forcing a tie-breaker. Despite the letdown, the seniors maintained their composure and were able to take the tie-breaker.
"We really should have beaten them when we had the lead," Muzyka said. "We just had to stay focused and play a solid tie-breaker."
The performance in doubles continued a dominating stretch for the Blue Devils, during which Duke has only lost once in doubles all season.
Muzyka also was vital in Duke's domination of the Seminoles in singles. Stepping in the No. 2 spot for Escudero, Muzyka defeated Yvo Niks, 6-4, 7-6. The victory was Muzyka's second in the No. 2 spot for Duke as he has continued to play with aggression in his final year as a collegian.
"[Muzyka] has really stepped up his level of play this season," Lapidus said. "I think he realizes that this is last chance and he is really taking advantage of his opportunities."
Muzyka agreed whole-heartedly.
"This is my final year and I really want to make the most it," he said. "As a captain, I felt it was my responsibility to elevate my level of play this year because I really think we have a legitimate shot at winning the NCAA Championship. We've all stepped up our play and hopefully we'll continue to keep winning."
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