April 23, 2000

NORCROSS, GA. -

The 20th-ranked North Carolina men's tennis team lost 4-1 to Duke in the final round of the ACC Tournament. The No. 2-seeded Tar Heels fall to 17-5 overall, while No. 1 seed Duke improves to 21-5.

Duke took an early 1-0 lead by winning at #1 and #3 doubles to capture the doubles point. North Carolina's Tripp Phillips and David Cheatwood won 9-7 over Andres Pedroso and Joel Spicher at #2 doubles. Duke's Doug Root and Ramsey Smith combined at #1 doubles to defeat Assaf Drori and Greg Archer 8-4. At #3 doubles, Duke's Porter Jones and Mike Yani downed Marcio Petrone and Tyne Brownlow.

Tar Heel senior Tripp Phillips, ranked No. 30 by the ITA, improved to 20-5 in overall singles with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Doug Root. At #2 singles, senior Assaf Drori fell to Ramsey Smith 7-6 (4), 6-0. Wins at #5 and #6 singles clinched the match for the Blue Devils. UNC's Marcio Petrone fell 6-3, 6-3 to Joel Spicher at #5, and Chad Riley fell 6-3, 6-2 to Marko Cerenko at #6.

"We have to congratulate Duke on playing such a great match," said Head Coach Sam Paul. "I'm very proud of my team. They fought hard all weekend. Duke was just the better team today. We're going to rest a few days and then look forward to making a run in the NCAA Championships."

UNC vs. Duke Singles Results
1. Tripp Phillips (UNC) d. Doug Root (Duke), 6-1, 6-1
2. Ramsey Smith (Duke) d. Assaf Drori (UNC), 7-6 (6), 6-0
3. David Cheatwood (UNC) vs. Andres Pedroso (Duke), DNF
4. Marcio Petrone (UNC) vs. Pedroso Escudero (Duke), DNF
5. Joel Spicher (Duke) d. Trystan Meniane (UNC), 6-3, 6-3
6. Marko Cerenko (Duke) d. Chad Riley (UNC), 6-3, 6-2

UNC vs. Duke Doubles Results
1. Root/Smith (Duke) d. Drori/Greg Archer (UNC), 8-4
2. Phillips/Cheatwood (UNC) d. Pedroso/Spicher (Duke), 9-7
3. Porter Jones/Mike Yani (Duke) d. Petrone/Tyne Brownlow (UNC), 8-6