SPORTS  |  TENNIS

Doubles play propels Blue Devils

Everything seemed to fall into place for No. 11 Duke Sunday, as the Blue Devils played their way to a smooth 5-2 win over No. 20 Arizona State at the Sheffield Indoor Tennis Center.

Duke (4-2) took charge early over the Sun Devils (7-4) by seizing the double's point.

Senior Daniela Bercek and sophomore Melissa Mang came out on top over sixth-ranked Kady Pooler and Roxanne Clarke 9-7, while sophomore Jessi Robinson and freshman Elizabeth Plotkin rallied to an 8-6 victory over Sabrina Capannolo and Jessica Leitch.

"It was our biggest win," Mang said. "They've been playing pretty well-they just beat [North Carolina] yesterday. We just did a great job in doubles."

In singles play, Bercek blew past 99th-ranked Capannolo 6-1, 6-3, and senior Clelia Deltour defeated Laila Abdala 6-3, 6-1. Freshman Amanda Granson overpowered 63rd-ranked Rebecca Rankin 6-4, 6-7, 10-4.

Mang secured Duke's win with a victory over 58th-ranked Nadia Abdala 6-3, 1-6, 6-1. The Blue Devil posted her fifth consecutive victory with the match, improving to 5-1 this season.

Mang said she enjoys focusing on the mental aspect of her game more with each win.

"That's the best part," she said. "I have a lot of confidence right now. I like to play really tough."

The Blue Devils will face No. 29 Virginia next in Ambler Stadium Saturday.

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