Djordje Uskokovic had not played in the No. 1 singles spot all season, but he made the most of his opportunity Sunday, as he won the No. 1 singles point and helped lead the Illinois State mens tennis team (4-4, 1-0 MVC) to a win over Bradley (3-4, 0-1 MVC), 5-2.
Despite leg cramps late in the second set, Uskokovic outlasted Bradleys Marko Marevic, 7-6, 7-6. The win brings Uskokovic to 8-9 overall in singles play for the season.
Head coach Greg Kennett was pleased to see Uskokovic pick up a victory and thinks that the win will help Uskokovic gain confidence as the team attempts to win their first Missouri Valley Conference title in program history.
Uskokovic is starting to play at the high level that we expect him to, Kennett said. Hopefully he will continue to play like he did today and lead us the rest of the season.
Uskokovic was not the only Bird who had a successful day, however. Yohann Nograbat won his seventh singles match of the year by defeating Mark Muskievicz in the No. 2 position, 1-6, 6-2, 7-6. Alban Renard took the No. 3 singles point by beating Paul Craigen in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. Guillermo Gomez was also able to pick a win in the No. 5 spot by defeating Marijon Panzic, 4-6, 7-5, 10-4.
The Birds will next head to Las Vegas, Nevada, for the UNLV Invitational, March 12-14.
Doubles
No. 1 Uskokovic/ Pettinari (ISU) over Marevic/ Muskievicz (BU) 8-4
No. 2 Renard/ Gomez (ISU) over Lofgren/ Roby (BU) 8-6
No. 3 Nograbat/ Link (ISU) over Metully/ Panzic (BU) 8-5
Singles
No. 1 Djordje Uskokovci (ISU) over Marko Marevic (BU) 7-6, 7-6
No. 2 Yohann Nograbat (ISU) over Mark Muskievicz (BU) 1-6, 6-2, 7-6
No. 3 Alban Renard (ISU) over Paul Craigen (BU) 6-4, 6-3
No. 4 William Lofgren (BU) over Alfredo Lagarda (ISU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
No. 5 Guillermo Gomez (ISU) over Marijon Panzic (BU) 4-6, 7-5, 10-4
No. 6 Matt Metully (BU) over Tim Link (ISU) 6-1, 6-1
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