Duke Women Win ACC Opener 6-1 Over Wake Forest

Wednesday, March 2

Durham, N.C.

3:00 PM

Duke University

Wake Forest

Duke Falls to Florida State in Regular Season Finale

Duke Women Win ACC Opener 6-1 Over Wake Forest

3/2/2011 7:34:00 PM | Women's Tennis

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – Freshman Rachel Kahan extended her winning streak to 11 matches as the third-ranked Duke women's tennis team won its ACC opener 6-1 over Wake Forest on Wednesday afternoon at Ambler Tennis Stadium.

Duke (9-2, 1-0 ACC) opened its first ACC match of the season winning the doubles point for the first time in five matches. The Blue Devils got an early win from the No. 50 duo of Monica Gorny and Mary Clayton at the number three spot in the lineup as they downed Brigita Bercyte and Martina Pavelec 8-2.

With two doubles matches remaining, Duke would clinch the first point of the match with a win from Ellah Nze and Rachel Kahan. Nze and Kahan got the win, 8-5, to put the Blue Devils up 1-0. The final doubles match would go into a tiebreaker as the No. 17 duo of Kathryn Talbert and Kayla Duncan from Wake Forest defeated Nadine Fahoum and Hanna Mar 8-7 (7-5).

In singles action, Clayton needed just 58 minutes to put Duke on top 2-0 over the Wake Forest. Clayton took down Anna Mydlowska in straight sets 6-1, 6-1. Kahan was next off the courts for Duke with a straight set decision from the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Kahan downed Ryann Cutillo 7-5, 6-0, to remain unbeaten in the dual match season at 9-0 and extended her match win streak to 11.

With an early 3-0 lead over the Demon Deacons (2-5, 0-2 ACC), Reka Zsilinszka would seal the Blue Devils first ACC win this season with a win from the No. 3 position in the lineup. Zsilinszka defeated Duncan in straight sets 6-1, 6-0, that clinched the match.

The Blue Devils would go on to win two out of the three remaining singles matches after picking up the win. Elizabeth Plotkin picked up her fourth consecutive win with a straight set decision at the No. 4 spot, 6-4, 6-4. Nze needed three sets to pick up her first ACC singles win after dropping the first set to Talbert. Nze only gave up five points in the final two sets in the 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 win at No. 3 spot. Fahoum battled with Pavelec throughout the match and won the second set after dropping the first. After opening the third set down 2-0 Fahoum battled back winning three in row before falling 3-6, 6-2, 3-6.

Duke will next take on crosstown rival N.C. State on Friday, March 4, in Raliegh, N.C. The match against the Wolfpack will start a six-match road trip for the Blue Devils. First serve on Friday is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (EST).

-d-u-k-e

#3 Duke 6, Wake Forest 1
March 2, 2011 at Durham, N.C. (Ambler Tennis Stadium)

Singles competition

1. #45 Martina Pavelec (WF) def. #39 Nadine Fahoum (DU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3

2. #74 Ellah Nze (DU) def. Kathryn Talbert (WF) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1

3. #9 Reka Zsilinszka (DU) def. Kayla Duncan (WF) 6-1, 6-0

4. #71 Elizabeth Plotkin (DU) def. #118 Emilee Malvehy (WF) 6-4, 6-4

5. #56 Rachel Kahan (DU) def. Ryann Cutillo (WF) 7-5, 6-0

6. #55 Mary Clayton (DU) def. Anna Mydlowska (WF) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles competition

1. #17 Kathryn Talbert/Kayla Duncan (WF) def. Nadine Fahoum/Hanna Mar (DU) 8-7 (7-5)

2. Ellah Nze/Rachel Kahan (DU) def. Ryann Cutillo/Emilee Malvehy (WF) 8-5

3. #50 Monica Gorny/Mary Clayton (DU) def. Brigita Bercyte/Martina Pavelec (WF) 8-2