Duke Defeats Virginia Tech, 5-2, for 11th Win

DURHAM – Redshirt senior Garrett Johns clinched Friday’s 5-2 win for No. 15 Duke men’s tennis over No. 65 Virginia Tech at Sheffield Indoor Tennis Center.
 
Johns’ straight set victory over No. 60 Ryan Fishback was his fourth match-clinching win of the year. The Atlanta, Ga., native now holds a 10-3 record during the dual season, including a 5-2 mark against ranked opponents.
 
Duke improves to 11-6 overall and 3-1 in ACC play, while Virginia Tech drops to 7-4 and 0-3, respectively.

How It Happened

• The Blue Devils started doubles play strong with victories on court three and one, respectively, to register the point. Faris Khan and Teddy Truwit teamed up to best Michael Shepheard and Alex Ix on court three, 6-2, before Johns and Pedro Rodenas defeated No. 80 Fishback and Maxime St. Hilaire on the top court, 6-4. The match between No. 21 Michael Heller and Andrew Zhang against Matt Harper and Alberto Orso on court two went unfinished with the match knotted at 5-5.
• Connor Krug quickly extended the Blue Devils’ edge to 2-0 early in singles play when he posted 6-4, 6-2 victories over Ix on court four.
• Zhang followed suit, recording 6-4, 6-0 wins over Hugo Maia on court three for his eighth dual win of the season.
• No. 47 Johns then clinched the match for the home side when he bested No. 60 Fishback 6-4, 6-4 on court one.
• Duke earned one final win on court two after No. 66 Rodenas notched a three-set come-from-behind victory over St. Hilaire. The Madrid, Spain, native dropped his opening set 6-4 but rebounded for 7-5, 1-0 (10-7) wins to claim his eighth victory of the year.
• The Hokies earned…