Duke Heads to NCAA Second Round After Victory Over UNC Asheville

DURHAM – No. 13 Duke opened the NCAA Team Championship with a 4-0 victory over UNC Asheville on Friday afternoon at Ambler Tennis Stadium.
 
The Blue Devils (19-9) next face No. 20 Alabama at 1 p.m. on Saturday in the NCAA Second Round at Ambler Tennis Stadium. UNC Asheville concludes its season at 16-8.
 
Friday’s outcome marked Duke’s third consecutive victory in the opening round of the nationally tournament and its 51st overall postseason win.
 
Senior Faris Khan earned his second match-clinching victory of the year after he bested Rafa Serra on court four in straight sets.
 
How It Happened

• The Blue Devils began doubles play with a win by Khan and Teddy Truwit on court three. The duo recorded a 6-4 victory over Cian Ingles and Bruno Serra for their sixth dual win of the year. The graduate student pairing of Michael Heller and Andrew Zhang then clinched the doubles point for the home side following their 6-4 win over Sam Nicholson and Freddy Murray on court two. The match on court one between Garrett Johns and Pedro Rodenas against Jon Brann Reid and Rafa Serra went unfinished with the Blue Devils leading 5-4 and serving for match point when the contest was halted.
• Duke quickly extended its lead to 3-0 in singles action when No. 43 Rodenas and Connor Krug tallied wins on court two and four, respectively. Rodenas notched 6-2, 6-2 victories over Nicholson, while Krug posted a 6-1, 6-2 straight set victory over Bruno Serra.
• Khan then clinched the overall match for the Blue Devils on court five, besting Rara Serra 6-0, 6-3 for his fourth dual win of the year.
• The matches on court one,…