After four of their less experienced players went unbeaten at the Winthrop Invitational, the Blue Devils will look to keep their momentum going and conclude the fall season on a high note.
Sophomore Bruno Semenzato and junior Jason Tahir will represent Duke this weekend at the Dick Vitale Intercollegiate Clay Court Classic this weekend in Bradenton, Fla. The tournament features some of the top players and teams in the nation and should give two of the most talented Blue Devils great singles and doubles matches, as Tahir and Semenzato have never played together in doubles before.
In addition to it being their final tournament of the fall, the Dick Vitale Intercollegiate will allow the two Blue Devils the unique opportunity to play competitive matches on clay courts as opposed to the usual hard courts.
"Clay is actually both of their favorite surfaces," head coach Ramsey Smith said. "They're both excited to be going down there and it's nice, it's a different tournament playing on a different surface. Both of them are great clay court players. We've been practicing all week on clay, so they're used to it and ready to go."
Last weekend at the Winthrop Invitational in Rock Hill, S.C., Duke accumulated six titles and a 22-0 record combined in singles and doubles behind the play of redshirt junior Cale Hammond, sophomores Daniel McCall and Josh Levine and freshman T.J. Pura. Levine won the individual title in Division 1A, Hammond in 1B, Pura in 2A and McCall in 2B. It was the final event of the fall for all four.
The victories were the first individual tournament wins for McCall, Levine and Pura and second for Hammond. In the doubles event shortened by weather, Pura and Levine were declared co-champions with Hammond and McCall in the Division 1 bracket. Although it was a smaller event, the confidence the four Blue Devils gained should not be overlooked as they enter the offseason.
"It was an incredible weekend," Smith said. "It was certainly the best tournament of the fall. All four guys played really well, made some big jumps and won some big matches. It was awesome. They're finishing up the fall with a lot of confidence."
Meanwhile, other Blue Devils have not been so lucky. Senior Fred Saba and junior Raphael Hemmeler have seen little court time this fall. Theu were planning on playing in this weekend's tournament, but Hemmeler will be sidelined with a wrist injury and Saba is still recovering from mononucleosis.
Considering Duke’s up-and-down fall season because of injuries and inconsistent play, the performance of Semenzato and Tahir this weekend could give the Blue Devil team even more confidence entering the offseason.
"Some top teams from all over the country will be there," Smith said. "There will be some really good competition and some really good opportunities for Bruno and Jason. We've had some unfortunate luck with injuries, but these last three tournaments, we've picked up our level. Hopefully we can finish strong."
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