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TCUIn terms of rankings today’s TCU win over Illinois was an upset, but I don’t think too many would call it completely unexpected with Illinois playing its 3rd Top 20 opponent on the road in as many days. I’m guessing the Illini’s energy tank was much closer to E than it was to F while TCU was likely beyond ecstatic having the chance to host a top 5 team on its home courts.
TCU did play on Sunday against Michigan and while the score-lines today were a little closer they really wasn’t much of a difference. They are both listed below so you can take a look at them.
TCU took the doubles point without too much resistance by winning 6-3 and 6-1 at 1 and 2. In singles, TCU moved Cameron Norrie down to #3 for the 1st time this year after he’d played all but 1 match at #1. David Roditi also moved Guillermo Nunez up to #2 for the 1st time in his career and Nunez rewarded the coach’s decision with a 6-2, 6-0 thrashing of #32 Tim Kopinski. Arnau Dachs and Facundo Lugones would also pick up quick wins at 5 and 6 and in under 1 hour and 45 minutes TCU had its 4-0 shutout over Illinois.
Big win for the TCU program but you’ve also got to tip your hat to the weekend that Illinois had beating both Texas and Texas A&M despite playing without it’s #1 singles player. Note: This article in the Daily Illini said Gosea was suspended for violating team rules so only Brad Dancer knows how long he’ll be out.
“It was fun to get this big win at home,” Roditi said. “Our seniors stepped up. Facundo Lugones and Arnau Dachs, and the little beast Guillermo Nunez continue to play at a really high level. That really helped the other guys stay calm. Will Stein is also playing great tennis and he was up a break late in the second set against a guy that’s hardly lost.”
“That doubles point was huge,” Roditi said. “We finally won a doubles point over a top program.”
“Our No. 1 and No. 2 doubles team came out and set the tone,” Roditi said. “They were up two breaks right from the beginning.”
“We beat a very, very good team that competes really well,” Roditio said. “We had a full week of outdoor weather where we could practice. That helped so we could play at this level. (Assistant coach) Devin Bowen has been all about preparation all year long, and he prepared them for this.”
“No ifs, ands or buts about it, TCU was just better than us today,” head coach Brad Dancer said. “Their coaches and players were obviously well prepared and deserved the victory. The March through Texas came up one match short. We look forward to hopefully having another shot later this spring.”
#17 TCU 4, #4 Illinois 0
Mar 16, 2015 at Fort Worth, Texas (Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center)
Singles competition
1. #18 Jared Hiltzik (ILL 14.46) vs. #39 Nick Chappell (TCU 13.83) 7-5, 1-1, unf
2. #116 Guillermo Nuez (TCU 13.61) def. #32 Tim Kopinski (ILL 14.15) 6-2, 6-0
3. #49 Aleks Vukic (ILL 14.19) vs. #31 Cameron Norrie (TCU 14.47) 7-5, 2-2, unf
4. Will Stein (TCU 13.21) vs. #76 Aron Hiltzik (ILL 13.76) 6-4, 4-2, unf
5. Arnau Dachs (TCU 13.87) def. Blake Bazarnik (ILL 13.27) 6-3, 6-1
6. Facundo Lugones (TCU 13.35) def. Toshiki Matsuya (ILL 13.12) 6-1, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. #29 Nick Chappell/Will Stein (TCU) def. Jared Hiltzik/Tim Kopinski (ILL) 6-3
2. #23 Trevor Johnson/Cameron Norrie (TCU) def. Blake Bazarnik/Brian Page (ILL) 6-1
3. Hudson Blake/Guillermo Nuez (TCU) vs. Ross Guignon/Aron Hiltzik (ILL) 3-4, unf
Match Notes
Illinois 15-3, 3-0; National ranking #4
TCU 11-5, 0-1; National ranking #17
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (2,5,6)
A-345
#17 TCU 5, #70 Michigan 0
Mar 15, 2015 at Fort Worth, Texas (Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center)
Singles competition
1. #39 Nick Chappell (TCU 13.83) vs. Alex Petrone (UM 13.63) 6-0, 5-5, unf
2. #31 Cameron Norrie (TCU 14.47) def. Michael Zhu (UM 12.69) 6-2, 6-3
3. #116 Guillermo Nuez (TCU 13.61) def. Runhao Hua (UM 13.36) 6-2, 6-3
4. Will Stein (TCU 13.21) vs. Alex Knight (UM 13.09) 6-4, 4-3, unf
5. Arnau Dachs (TCU 13.87) def. Davis Crocker (UM 12.19) 6-1, 6-1
6. Facundo Lugones (TCU 13.35) def. Kevin Wong (UM 12.71) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. #29 Nick Chappell/Will Stein (TCU) def. Alex Petrone/Michael Zhu (UM) 6-4
2. #23 Trevor Johnson/Cameron Norrie (TCU) vs. Alex Knight/Runhao Hua (UM) 4-4, unf
3. Hudson Blake/Guillermo Nuez (TCU) def. Kevin Wong/Tyler Gardiner (UM) 6-0
Match Notes
Michigan 3-8; National ranking #70
TCU 10-5; National ranking #17
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (6,5,2,3)
A-385
Not sure that is an excuse. 3 matches against 3 ranked teams in 3 days all on the road will be exhausting.
I don't like making excuses for any team's loss. Where are the excuses for all the other upsets? Perhaps TCU had 3 players dealing with something else that impacted their play? Every team has issues, whether it is consecutive matches, illness, injury that are reflected in their play. My guess is every upset has pretty solid excuses behind it. We the fans have no idea what teams are dealing with so defending some and not others seems a bit biased. I think being fair, balanced, and impartial is better – a win is a win, a loss a loss, for the many reasons hidden behind those matches.