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American Men's Tennis Falls in NCAA Tournament
Eagles incredible run ended by Duke, 4-0

May 11, 2002

The 2002 American men's tennis team concluded its outstanding season at the NCAA Tournament Saturday. The Eagles finished 19-2.

DURHAM, N.C. — The American University men's tennis team's remarkable season came to a close today as the Eagles fell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. No. 75 American was defeated by No. 17 Duke, 4-0. It was just the second loss this season for the Eagles as the team finishes with a record of 19-2 (6-0 Patriot League).

Playing indoors because of rain, American lost the doubles point for only the second time this season. Seniors Bence Hamori and Josh Procacci were defeated at first doubles by Duke's Phillip King and Michael Yani, 8-3. The match was extremely close with a number of the games going to deuce. Junior Kyle Bailey and sophomore Jonah Fliegelman fell at third doubles, 8-0. Tushar Garg and Andreas Kulcsar were trailing, 7-4, when the doubles point was decided.

In singles action, Procacci was defeated by Yani at second singles, 6-3, 6-0. Garg fell at third singles, 6-2, 6-1 to Duke's Jason Zimmerman. Sophomore Guillaume Tarralle lost for the first time in the last 17 matches, 6-2, 6-1 to Yorke Allen at No. 5 singles.

In suspended matches, Hamori faced No. 11 Phillip King at first singles. King was leading 6-0, 5-1. Sophomore Juan Jaysingh was playing well at fourth singles, trailing 6-4, 2-1 while Kulcsar was trailing 6-2, 2-1 at No. 6 singles.

"I'm really proud of our guys," Patriot League Coach of the Year Martin Blackman said after the match. "This was a great stepping-stone for next season for our program."

This concludes the best season in school history for the Eagles. American posted a school record with 19 wins including 16 consecutive matches won. The Eagles also made their first-ever NCAA Tournament.

Singles
#1 Bence Hamori, AU vs. Phillip King, 0-6, 1-5, Susp.
#2 Michael Yani, Duke def. Josh Procacci, AU, 6-3, 6-0
#3 Jason Zimmerman, Duke def. Tushar Garg, AU, 6-2, 6-1
#4 Juan Jaysingh, AU vs. Joel Spicher, Duke, 2-6, 1-2, Susp.
#5 Yorke Allen, Duke def. Guillaume Tarralle, AU, 6-2, 6-1
#6 Andreas Kulcsar, AU vs. Peter Shults, Duke, 2-6, 1-2, Susp.

Doubles
#1 King/Yani, Duke def. Hamori/Procacci, AU, 8-3
#2 Garg/Kulcsar, AU vs. Shults/Spicher, Duke, Susp.
#3 Alex Bose/Zimmerman, Duke def. Kyle Bailey/Jonah Fliegelman, AU, 8-0