North Carolina
Va Commonwealth
Tar Heels Upset VCU, 4-3
April 1, 2000 | Men's Tennis
April 1, 2000
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The #25-ranked North Carolina men's tennis team extended its winning streak to nine with a 4-3 upset over #16 Virginia Commonwealth on Saturday. The Tar Heels improve to 12-2 in dual matches, and 9-0 in Region II matches with the win.
Leading the way for the Tar Heels was senior Tripp Phillips, who decisively won the #1 singles match, defeating Daniel Andersson, the top-ranked player in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's rankings. The match was close in the first set, but Phillips broke Andersson's serve to win 6-4. Phillips' play improved as the match continued and he easily won the second set 6-2. Phillips, who is currently ranked #41 in singles by the ITA, improves to 11-3 at #1 singles and 11-1 in Region II play.
Senior Assaf Drori played a tough match at #2 singles against VCU's Frank Moser, ranked #12 by the ITA. Drori won the first set, but Moser rallied to win 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. North Carolina junior David Cheatwood faced #47-ranked Jose Sanchez at #3 singles and attacked early to win the first set. But Sanchez came back to defeat Cheatwood 2-6, 6-4, 6-1. Marcio Petrone was defeated at #4 singles by Fernando Sanchez 6-1, 6-4. Trystan Meniane's three-set match at #5 singles sealed the win for the Tar Heels as Meniane fought off a comeback by Mats Norin to win 7-6, 5-7, 6-1. And at #6 singles, North Carolina's Chad Riley defeated Mattias Hoglund 6-3, 6-1 to record his 21st win of the season.
In doubles action, North Carolina swept all three matches, the first time since March 8 against UNC Charlotte. Drori and Greg Archer combined at #1 doubles to defeat Andersson/Moser, the #13-ranked doubles team in the nation. Archer/Drori improve to 7-3 overall and 5-1 in regional doubles action with the win. Phillips and Cheatwood defeated Norin/Hoglund 8-6 at #2 doubles, and Petrone and Tyne Brownlow won at #3 singles, beating Sanchez/Sanchez 8-3.
"I'm really happy for our team, especially for our seniors, said Head Coach Sam Paul. "Tripp Phillips has come back after being out for a year and a half. He's dealt with a lot of adversity and I'm really proud of his hard work. Assaf (Drori) played excellent at #1 doubles and set the tone in singles against Frank Moser, who was a finalist in the national clay court championships. We're just trying to enjoy the win and keep getting better."
The Tar Heels return to action Saturday when they host Georgia Tech in a 1 p.m. match at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center.
UNC vs. VCU Singles Results
2. Frank Moser (VCU) d. Assaf Drori (UNC), 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
3. Jose Sanchez (VCU) d. David Cheatwood (UNC) , 2-6, 6-4, 6-1
4. Fernando Sanchez (VCU) d. Marcio Petrone (UNC), 6-1, 6-4
5. Trystan Meniane (UNC) d. Mats Norin (VCU), 7-6, 5-7, 6-1
6. Chad Riley (UNC) d. Mattias Hoglund (VCU), 6-3, 6-1
UNC vs. VCU Doubles Results
1. Greg Archer/Drori (UNC) d. Andersson/Moser (VCU), 8-4
2. Cheatwood/Phillips (UNC) d. Norin/Hoglund (VCU), 8-6
3. Tyne Brownlow/Petrone (UNC) d. Sanchez/Sanchez (VCU), 8-3
Players Mentioned
