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Marinkovic Notches Milestone as `Birds Fall to UTA, 5-2
Feb. 1, 2008 WACO, Texas - Illinois State men's tennis saw senior Luka Marinkovic slide into a tie for eighth place for career singles wins at Illinois State with 63, on Friday, Feb. 1. Marinkovic's accomplishment came on a day when the Redbirds were unable to defeat the hosts, Texas-Arlington, falling 5-2. The match also marked the first time that the Redbirds were able to play tennis outdoors in 2008. "The conditions were a bit difficult today, it was a little windy," said head coach Cris James. "It was our first time outside this year. Obviously we have not been able to practice outside yet, but we battled through it and fought hard today. I thought we had our chances, we just couldn't get it done." In singles, Marinkovic reached the milestone by winning at the No. 2 spot against Dmitry Minkin, 7-6, 4-6, 10-4. At the No. 1 spot, junior Nuno Jacinto fell to David Costa, 7-5, 6-1. In No. 3 singles action, Hugo Taracido knocked off junior Daniel Tobar, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. Bloomington native, senior Oscar Beich was bested at the No. 4 position by Brieuc Hamon, 6-3, 6-1. Freshman Filip Mijevic lost two close sets at the No. 5 spot to Gonzalo Bienzobas, 7-6, 7-6. Sophomore Xavier Riart-Ferrer was able to best Nishant Hari, 6-1, 6-2, at the No. 6 position. In doubles, Illinois State's No. 47 ranked doubles duo of Marinkovic and Tobar defeated Costa and Taracido, 9-8, at the No. 1 position. At the No. 2 doubles spot, Jacinto and Riart-Ferrer were topped by Hamon and Hari, 8-3. Sophomore Michael Hobson and Beich were bested at the No. 3 doubles position by Bienzobas and Minkin, 8-6.
"I felt like we should have performed better in doubles," said James. "It certainly would have helped us out. Instead of having to win 4 out of 6 we would only have had to win 3 of 6, so it put some pressure on us during singles." On Saturday, Feb. 2, the Redbirds will take on nationally ranked No. 47 SMU in Dallas. The Mustangs will be led by David Kuczer, who is ranked No. 81 in singles. "SMU looks good on paper," said James. "We will be better prepared to play outdoors but it's still going to be a tough match. Our guys just have to go out and fight hard and not get frustrated." |
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