April 12, 2000

DURHAM, N.C. - The #16-ranked North Carolina men's tennis team was defeated for the first time since February as #6 Duke pulled out a 4-3 victory. It was the first ACC loss for the Tar Heels, now 5-1 in conference action and 14-3 overall. Duke improves to 17-5 overall (6-0, ACC).

Duke swept all three doubles matches, leaving the Tar Heels in need of four singles wins to claim the match. Carolina senior Tripp Phillips, ranked #30 in singles by the ITA, led the way for the Heels with a 6-4, 7-6 (4) win over Duke's Doug Root, ranked #43. Phillips is undefeated in ACC dual-match action with a 6-0 record. At #2 singles, Assaf Drori was defeated by #26-ranked Ramsey Smith, 6-3, 6-3. Junior David Cheatwood won at #3 singles, upsetting #54-ranked Andres Pedroso, 6-1, 7-6. Carolina's Marcio Petrone won a close match at #4 singles, defeating Joel Spicher 7-5, 7-6. Chad Riley's three-set match at #6 singles clinched the win for Duke, with Riley losing to Duke's Porter Jones, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.

"It's tough to lose such a close match, but I'm pleased with our team's performance," said Head Coach Sam Paul. "Our guys really played some great tennis today, and I'm proud of their effort. We're got to regroup and look ahead to this weekend's matches."

The Tar Heels return to action Saturday, playing at #43 Virginia at 1:30 p.m. The team will then travel to Maryland for an 11 a.m. match on Sunday.

UNC vs. Duke Singles Results
1. Tripp Phillips (UNC) d. Doug Root (Duke), 6-4, 7-6 (4)
2. Ramsey Smith (Duke) d. Assaf Drori (UNC), 6-3, 6-3
3. David Cheatwood (UNC) d. Andres Pedroso (Duke), 6-1, 7-6
4. Marcio Petrone (UNC) d. Joel Spicher (Duke), 7-5, 7-6
5. Marko Cerenko (Duke) d. Trystan Meniane (UNC), 6-1, 6-2
6. Porter Jones (Duke) d. Chad Riley (UNC), 6-3, 3-6, 6-2

(b>UNC vs. Duke Doubles Results
1. Root/Smith (Duke) d. Greg Archer/Drori (UNC), 8-2
2. Pedroso/Ted Reuger (Duke) d. Cheatwood/Phillips (UNC), 8-4
3. Jones/ Michael Yani (Duke) d. Tyne Brownlow/Petrone (UNC), 8-6