Djordje Uskokovic won his fourth consecutive singles match at the No. 1 position while leading the Illinois State mens tennis team to victory in its first conference match of the spring season. The Birds (6-6, 1-0) beat the Braves 5-2 Wednesday at the Clubs at River City South in Peoria.
Uskokovic, who has not dropped a set since March 13, continued to roll over his opponents with a straight set singles win against Marko Marevic (6-2, 6-4). Uskokovic also teamed up with Senior Ben Pettinari at the No. 1 doubles position and dropped Wil Lofgren and Mario Panzic (8-1). The dominating duo is now 9-3 this season.
Head coach Greg Kennett could not be more pleased with the play of Uskokovic.
Djordje is playing very steady and consistent tennis for us, said Kennett. Today he made some great shots and served very well.
In other singles action, Guillermo Gomez also won his fourth consecutive singles match by beating Ivor Miskulin (7-6, 7-5) at the No. 2 position. Yohann Nograbat who has not won a singles match since February 12, finally got things turned around and won in straight sets over Matt Metully at the No. 4 position (6-1, 6-3).
In doubles play, the Birds only win would come from Pettinari and Uskokovic. Gomez and Alban Renard fell at the No. 2 position to Metully and Alex Roby (9-8). At the No. 3 spot, Luka Marinkovic and Alfredo Lagarda lost to Mark Muskievicz and Marevic (8-2).
Despite falling in doubles Kennett was excited to get the season under way with a win.
It feels good to get a win on the road, said Kennett. Bradley is a very talented team, they are going to sneak up on some teams and beat them this season.
The Redbirds will be back in action on April 9, when they travel to Drake for a 12 p.m. match.
