DURHAM – No. 20 Duke men’s tennis is set to begin its 2023 spring season on the road, traveling to Honolulu where the Blue Devils will compete against California and Hawaii at the UH Tennis Complex.
On Monday, Duke will play in the one-day Hawaii Invitational, facing California and Hawaii. The following day, the Blue Devils will battle the Rainbow Warriors in their first dual match of the season. All contests will start at 3 p.m. (10 a.m. Hawaii Time).
Duke’s last meeting with Cal was on March 10, 2013, where it dropped a 4-3 dual match on the road. The Blue Devils are 3-0 against the Rainbow Warriors all-time, with their last meeting coming on Jan. 8, 2020 (W, 4-1).
SEASON OPENER SUCCESS
Since Smith took over in 2008-09, the Blue Devils hold a 12-2 record in season openers. In its last 15 opening matches, Duke is 13-2 with its lone loss coming to Elon, 4-3, in 2014 and No. 20 South Carolina, 4-1, in 2021.
INSIDE SCOOP
Duke has 10 student-athletes on the roster heading into the spring. The Blue Devils return eight letterwinners from a year ago and welcome two freshmen in Pedro Rodenas and Teddy Truwit.
At the conclusion of the fall season, three singles players and one doubles pair were ranked by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). The rankings place senior Garrett Johns at the No. 4 spot in singles. Johns compiled a 6-2 ledger, including a semifinal appearance at the ITA National Fall Championships. He earned the Sportsmanship Award by a unanimous vote as well.
Joining him in the singles rankings were rookie Rodenas and senior Andrew Zhang at No. 84 and No. 101, respectively. Competing in his first collegiate fall slate, Rodenas earned a record of 5-3 and was one of only four freshmen in country to advance through the qualifying round to main draw of the ITA All-American Championships. Zhang, who registered a 9-3 mark, reached the semifinals of the ITA Carolina Regional Championships in both singles and doubles.
The Blue Devils also saw the doubles duo of Michael Heller and Zhang ranked in the latest listing, garnering a No. 49 placement. The pair strung together a 5-2 ledger during the fall season and advanced to the round of 16 at the ITA National Fall Championships.
UP NEXT
Following Duke’s trip to Hawaii, the Blue Devils return home for three consecutive home…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Duke University…