Duke Men's Tennis Dominates in Homecoming Sweep Against Campbell
In a triumphant return to Durham, the No. 51 Duke men's tennis team delivered a commanding 7-0 victory over Campbell, marking their outdoor season opener at Ambler Tennis Stadium. After a challenging stretch of six consecutive away matches, the Blue Devils showcased their prowess on home turf, where they have maintained a stellar 4-0 record this season and an impressive 42-5 home record since the 2023 dual match season began.
Match Breakdown
In doubles action, Duke's teams quickly established control. The No. 1 duo of Cooper Williams and Pedro Rodenas, ranked No. 32, overcame an initial setback to dominate their set 6-1. Meanwhile, Gerard Planelles Ripoll and Dylan Long mirrored this success on court two, conceding just one game after a strong 3-0 start.
Williams propelled Duke to a 2-0 lead with a decisive 6-1, 6-2 singles win over Adi Dagan on court two. Ranked No.
68, Williams balanced his season record at 4-4. Planelles Ripoll added to the momentum with a 6-1, 6-1 victory on court three, demonstrating resilience by taking the final four games of the first set after a brief challenge.
Alexander Visser clinched the match for Duke with a 6-2, 6-1 triumph against Aleksandar Hudjec on court four, showcasing his ability to dominate key moments by winning seven of the final eight games.
On court one, Rodenas extended the lead to 5-0, defeating Thomas Drapeau 6-3, 6-1. Rodenas, maintaining an undefeated 6-0 singles record, capitalized on a three-game streak in the first set to establish control.
Saahith Jayaraman added to the tally with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Arush Gupta on court six, breaking away from a tight first set to sweep the second. The sweep was completed by Dylan Long's commanding 6-2, 6-0 victory on court five, where he closed out the first set with a four-game run and dominated the second.
Looking Ahead
Duke's next challenge comes as they open ACC play against California on February 27 and host Stanford on March 1. These matches will further test their mettle as they continue their season.
Coach and Player Insights
Head coach Ramsey Smith expressed enthusiasm about the team's performance and the support from Duke's operations team in setting up the new video board at Ambler Tennis Stadium. He emphasized the benefits of recent training, which focused on mental toughness and aggressive play, as key factors in their success.
Gerard Planelles Ripoll highlighted the significance of the victory after a tough stretch, crediting their hard work and focus during training for the turnaround. He expressed confidence in the team's potential for future success in the ACC.
Match Results
Doubles: 1.
#32 Pedro Rodenas / Cooper Williams (DU) def. Thomas Drapeau/Max Harmon (CU) 6-1
- Dylan Long / Gerard Planelles Ripoll (DU) def.
Adi Dagan/Matias Lofink (CU) 6-1
Singles: 1.
#95 Pedro Rodenas (DU) def. Thomas Drapeau (CU) 6-3, 6-1
- #68 Cooper Williams (DU) def.
Adi Dagan (CU) 6-1, 6-2 3.
#118 Gerard Planelles Ripoll (DU) def. Alex Fragasso (CU) 6-1, 6-1
- Alexander Visser (DU) def.
Aleksandar Hudjec (CU) 6-2, 6-1 5.
Dylan Long (DU) def. Mikolaj Kowal (CU) 6-2, 6-0
- Saahith Jayaraman (DU) def.
Arush Gupta (CU) 6-4, 6-0
For the latest updates on Duke men's tennis, follow the team on social media under "DukeMTEN."