The 11th-ranked Duke men’s tennis team commenced ACC play at their home court and narrowly secured a 4-3 victory against Clemson, only to suffer a disappointing 6-1 defeat against Georgia Tech on Sunday.
The weekend began on a positive note for Duke as they faced off against Clemson. Despite a challenging start in doubles play, the Blue Devils managed to secure a doubles point, setting the stage for an intense singles competition. The fate of the match ultimately rested on the outcome of a tiebreaker on court 2, where sophomore Pedro Rodenas ensured a victory for the Blue Devils. Consequently, the match concluded with a 4-3 team victory for Duke against the Tigers.
However, Duke’s fortunes took a turn on Sunday as they encountered Georgia Tech in their first outdoor match of the season. After a competitive doubles showdown, where the Blue Devils secured a doubles point, singles play commenced with both Duke and Georgia Tech winning three first sets. Despite the initial momentum in Duke’s favor, the Yellow Jackets converted two of those into straight-set wins, placing the Blue Devils at a disadvantage. The remaining four matches extended into third-set play, and Duke could only afford to lose one of these sets to secure the team victory. Unfortunately, Duke suffered third-set defeats, resulting in a lopsided team score of 6-1 for Georgia Tech.
As the team looks ahead, with a 2-1 record in the ACC, they will remain at home next weekend for matches against Virginia Tech and Virginia. Head coach Ramsey Smith emphasized the importance of regrouping after the loss and acknowledged the tough competition in the ACC. He stressed the need for the team to elevate their performance and adopt a unified mindset in future matches.
The Duke men’s tennis team had a mixed start to their ACC campaign, with a win over Clemson and a challenging loss to Georgia Tech. As they prepare for their upcoming matches, the team will be focused on bouncing back and showcasing their resilience on the court.