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May 8, 2009

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - - Sophomore Simon Childs' victory at No. 3 singles clinched the match as the 21st ranked University of Louisville men's tennis team edged Wisconsin 4-3 in the first round of NCAA regional play Friday afternoon.

"This was another classic Louisville/Wisconsin showdown," said U of L head coach Rex Ecarma. "For the third time in a row, it has come down to the last court singles and this time Simon Childs was the hero, coming back from a set and a service break down. This was a seesaw type of match, and we were fortunate to win. Wisconsin is a big, strong powerful team. Both teams deserved to win today. We have so much respect for the Wisconsin program and their players."

"I was happy with Robert Hall getting win at the No. 6. seed and I was also pleased with Alejandro Calligari who dominated his match and evened it up for us. Austen Childs survived several set points down to beat one of the hottest players in college tennis now. Moritz Baumann was 22-1 in the spring, but I knew this week Austen was ready to meet the challenge."

After rain in the area forced a 30 minute delay, the match was moved indoors. The Badgers went ahead early by taking the doubles point to start the match. The duo of Michael Dierberger and Michael Mukievicz topped Austen Childs and Sumit-Prakash Gupta 8-3 at No. 2 and Luke Rassow-Kantor and Patrick Pohlman teamed to beat Alejandro Calligari and Robert Hall to secure the point.

In singles action, Calligari quickly evened the score with a 6-1, 6-3 decision over Peter Marrack at the four-spot. Hall pulled the Cards ahead, defeating Diergerber 6-4, 6-3 at the No. 6 seed. The No. 1 position featured a battle between Louisville's 28th ranked Austen Childs and Wisconsin's 29th ranked Baumann. Childs prevailed with a 7-6(10-8), 7-5 win to give the Cards a 3-1 lead.

Wisconsin tallied singles points at Nos. 2 and 6 to tied the match. The Badgers' 57th-ranked Michalicka topped No. 96 Viktor Maksimcuk 6-2, 6-7(3-7), 6-0 at the two-spot. Rassow-Kantor beat Louisville's Andrew Carter 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 at No. 5.

The match came down to the three spot, where Pohlman took the first set 6-4, Simon Childs came back to take the second set 6-4. Childs picked up a 6-2 win in the third set to clinch the match.

"Our team showed a lot of heart which has been our signature all year long," said Ecarma. "We have heart and passion and really fire each other up. We give each other a lot of support and make it a `Davis Cup' type atmosphere.

Louisville (21-7) will face No. 13 Illinois (22-8) Saturday, May 9 at 4 p.m. (Eastern).

We're excited to play Illinois," said Ecarma. They ended our run in 2006, after we won the BIG EAST Conference title. The Illini are the number one seed in our region and we'll let them have the pressure that comes with that. Hopefully our players will be comfortable, relax and swing freely. My advice to them is to capture the moment, but not embrace any pressure or fear, swing hard, play fast, smile on your face."

#21 University of Louisville 4, #32 Wisconsin 3
Singles
1. #28 Austen Childs (UL) d. #29 Moritz Baumann (WISC) 7-6 (10-8), 7-5
2. #57 Marek Michalicka (WISC) d. #96 Viktor Maksimcuk (UL) 6-2, 6-7 (3-7), 6-0
3. Simon Childs (UL) d. Patrick Pohlman (WISC) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
4. Alejandro Calligari (UL) d. Peter Marrack (WISC) 6-1, 6-3
5. Luke Rassow-Kantor (WISC) d. Andrew Carter (UL) 5-7, 6-2, 6-1
6. Robert Hall (UL) d. Michael Dierberger (WISC) 6-4, 6-3
Singles (4,6,1,2,5,3)

Doubles
1. Maksimcuk/S. Childs (UL) vs. #26 Baumann/ Michalicka (WISC) 6-4, unfinished
2. Dierberger/Michael Muskievicz (WISC) d. A. Childs/Sumit-Prakash Gupta (UL) 8-3
3. Rassow-Kantor/ Pohlman (WISC) d. Calligari/Hall (UL) 8-5
Match Notes: Order of finish: Doubles (2,3)