Duke Advances to NCAA Second Round After Victory Over UNC Wilmington

DURHAM – No. 11 Duke opened the NCAA Team Championship with a 4-2 victory over UNC Wilmington on Saturday afternoon at Ambler Tennis Stadium.
 
The Blue Devils are set to face No. 41 Cornell at 2 p.m. on Sunday in the NCAA Second Round at Ambler Tennis Stadium.  
 
Saturday’s outcome marked Duke’s second consecutive victory in the opening round of the nation-wide tournament and its first home postseason win at the event since 2015 when the Blue Devils bested South Carolina State, 5-0, in the first round.
 
For the fourth time this season, the Blue Devils rebounded for the win after dropping the doubles point. Sophomore Jake Krug earned his first match-clinching victory of the year to help Duke improve to 21-6 overall. UNC Wilmington falls to 17-8.
 
How It Happened

• The Blue Devils kicked off doubles play with a victory on court one by No. 25 Garrett Johns and Pedro Rodenas. The duo bested Drew Broadstreet and Trey Mallory, 6-2, for their 16th dual doubles victory of the year.
• Unfortunately, the Seahawks claimed wins on court two and three, respectively, to register the doubles point. Alex de Gabriele and Reece Falck defeated Connor Krug and Teddy Truwit, 6-4, on court two, before Gabe Hurtado and Bekhzod Rasamatov tallied a 7-6 (5) tiebreak win over Faris Khan and Niroop Vallabhaneni on court three.
• Despite his team dropping the doubles point, No. 52 Rodenas knotted the score at 1-1 early for Duke in singles play when he recorded a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Falck on court two.
• The visitors pulled back in front at 2-1 when Rasamatov bested Connor Krug on court four 6-1, 6-2
• The next two…