Duke Continues to Battle on Day Three of ITA All-American

TULSA, Okla. – Four members of the Duke men’s tennis team competed on day three of the ITA All-American Championships in Tulsa, Okla., on Monday.

In the qualifying opening round, graduate student Michael Heller earned Duke’s lone win on the day, after defeating Jorge Plans Gonzalez of UCLA in three-sets. After falling in the opening frame, 6-4, Heller rebounded with back-to-back victories at 7-6 (2), 6-4 to seal the win. The Boca Raton, Fla., native advances to face Petar Jovanovic of Mississippi State in his next match on Tuesday at 9 a.m. Central.

Also battling in singles play on Monday were junior Connor Krug and graduate student Andrew Zhang. Krug fell to Cleeve Harper of Texas 2-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3, before Vanderbilt’s Joubert Klopper bested Zhang in three sets 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. The pair continues action Tuesday in the consolation bracket, with Zhang meeting Louis Bowden of Baylor at Noon and Krug facing Mihailo Popovic of Wisconsin at 12:30 p.m.

The Blue Devil duo of Krug and sophomore Pedro Rodenas opened doubles action in the round of 64 but fell by a 6-1, 7-6 (2) decision to Kenta Miyoshi and Alex Petrov of Illinois.

Singles

Qualifying Round of 128

Michael Heller (Duke) def. Jorge Plans Gonzalez (UCLA) 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4

Cleeve Harper (Texas) def. Connor Krug (Duke) 2-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3

Joubert Klopper (Vanderbilt) def. Andrew Zhang (Duke) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3

Doubles

Qualifying Round of 64

Kenta Miyoshi/Alex Petrov (Illinois) def. Pedro Rodenas/Connor Krug (Duke) 6-1, 7-6 (2)

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