April 7, 2004

CLEMSON, S.C.-- The 37th-ranked Wake Forest men's tennis team dropped a tough, 4-3 decision to #66 Clemson Wednesday evening at the Hoke Sloan Tennis Center. With the match tied up at three, Clemson's Damiisa Robinson came back from a one-set deficit to defeat Andrew Hamar 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 at No. 5 singles, clinching the win for the Tigers who improve to 4-4 in the ACC and 20-10 overall. The Demon Deacons are now 10-9 overall and 2-5 in league matches.

The match started with Wake Forest gaining a victory at No. 3 doubles as Andrew Simpson and Todd Paul defeated Ryan Young and Brett Twente 8-6. Clemson evened the doubles action as John Boetsch and Robinson downed Hamar and David Loewenthal 8-6 at No. 2 doubles. But the Deacs were able to storm back and earn the doubles point as Derrick Spice and Brett Ross upset the 32nd-ranked doubles team of Nathan Thompson and Jarmaine Jenkins 9-8 in the No. 1 slot

The Deacons quickly took a 2-0 lead as Ross defeated John Boetsch 6-1, 6-4 at No. 4 singles. Clemson pulled closer as Nathan Thompson defeated 51st-ranked Spice 6-0, 6-2 at the top singles position. The Tigers evened the match at two when Jarmaine Jenkins downed Loewenthal 6-4, 6-3 at No. 3. Again, Wake Forest took the edge as Paul topped Goran Sterijovski 7-6 (5), 6-3 at the number two position. Clemson's Ryan Young then withstood a terrific second set effort by Liron Strauss to earn the 6-0, 7-6 (7) victory at number six singles. The stage was then set for Robinson who outlasted the 117th-ranked Hamar to give the Tigers their fourth straight win and 20th of the season.

The Deacons wrap up their regular season schedule with a home match against NC State Saturday at 11 a.m.

#66 Clemson 4, #37 Wake Forest 3

Doubles
No. 1-- Spice/Ross (WF) def. #32 Thompson/Jenkins (CU), 9-8 (7-0)
No. 2-- Boetsch/Robinson (CU) def. Loewenthal/Hamar (WF), 8-6
No. 3-- Paul/Simpson (WF) def. Young/Twente (CU), 8-6

Singles
No. 1-- Nathan Thompson (CU) def. #51 Derrick Spice (WF) 6-0, 6-2
No. 2-- Todd Paul (WF) def. Goran Sterijovski (CU) 7-6(5), 6-3
No. 3-- Jarmaine Jenkins (CU) def. David Loewenthal (WF) 6-4, 6-3
No. 4-- Brett Ross (WF) def. John Boetsch (CU) 6-1, 6-4
No. 5-- Damiisa Robinson (CU) def. #117 Andrew Hamar (WF) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
No. 6-- Ryan Young (CU) def. Liron Strauss (WF) 6-0, 7-6 (9-7)