May 19, 2007

ATHENS, Ga. - No. 10 Illinois pulled off the biggest upset of the 2007 NCAA Men's Tennis Championship when it dismissed the bracket's second-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes, 4-2, in a four-hour marathon match at the University of Georgia's Dan Magill Tennis Complex. Behind chants of I-L-L, I-N-I, the crowd of over 2,000 watched as Illinois came from behind for the third straight match to upset a higher seed.

The Illini, which claimed only one point in their previous two meetings with the Buckeyes this season, rallied from an early 1-0 deficit after doubles to earn their first berth to the semifinals since 2004.

"We could not have done this without the crowd today," head coach Brad Dancer said about the win. "The Illini nation was on their feet and in full force and was a huge part of this victory today. All Spicijaric had to do was get back to his basics. Be calm, cool and collected."

With the win, Illinois now faces No. 3-seeded Baylor on Monday, May 21, at 9 a.m. in the first semifinal of the day.

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