Tar Heels Remain Unbeaten With Shutout Win Over No. 19 Illinois

Saturday, February 1

Chapel Hill

6 PM

North Carolina

Illinois

Brian Cernoch

Photo by: Dana Gentry

Tar Heels Remain Unbeaten With Shutout Win Over No. 19 Illinois

February 1, 2020 | Men's Tennis

CHAPEL HILL—Brian Cernoch won the clinching singles match as fourth-ranked North Carolina remained undefeated with a 4-0 win over No. 19 Illinois on Saturday night at Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center.

Carolina (5-0) has yet to lose a singles or doubles match in 2020, winning all five of its team matches by shutout.

The Tar Heels won the doubles point to grab a 1-0 lead. Seventh-ranked Mac Kiger and Simon Soendergaard picked up the first victory 6-4 at No. 2, followed by another 6-4 win by Brian Cernoch and William Blumberg at No. 1. Rinky Hijikata and Benjamin Sigouin were tied, 5-5, in their match at No. 3 doubles when play ended.

Carolina dominated early in singles and won the first set in all six singles matches. No. 82 Josh Peck won the Tar Heels' first match at No. 5 singles by scores of 6-2 and 6-0. Blumberg followed with a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 1 over Aleks Kovovacevic, and Cernoch clinched the victory with a 6-1, 7-5 at No. 4.

The Tar Heels will return to action on Sunday evening in another match against a ranked foe when No. 12 South Carolina visits Chapel Hill.

Tennis Match Results
Illinois vs North Carolina
Feb. 1, 2020 at Chapel Hill, N.C. (Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center)
#4 North Carolina 4, #19 Illinois 0

Singles competition
1. William Blumberg (NC) def. Aleks Kovacevic (ILL) 6-2, 6-2
2. Benjamin Sigouin (NC) vs. #48 Siphosothando Montsi (ILL) 6-0, 5-5, unfinished 3. Rinky Hijikata (NC) vs. #61 Zeke Clark (ILL) 6-3, 3-1, unfinished
4. Brian Cernoch (NC) def. Fletcher Scott (ILL) 6-1, 7-5
5. #82 Josh Peck (NC) def. Gui Gomes (ILL) 6-2, 6-0
6. Mac Kiger (NC) vs. Vuk Budic (ILL) 6-2, 5-4, unfinished

Doubles competition
1. Brian Cernoch/William Blumberg (NC) def. Gui Gomes/Siphosothando Montsi (ILL) 6-4
2. #7 Mac Kiger/Simon Soendergaard (NC) def. Vuk Budic/Lucas Horve (ILL) 6-4
3. Rinky Hijikata/Benjamin Sigouin (NC) vs. Aleks Kovacevic/Zeke Clark (ILL) 5-5, unfinished

Match Notes:
Illinois 1-3; National ranking #19
North Carolina 5-0; National ranking #4 Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (5,1,4) T-2:00 A-130