May 15, 2004

DURHAM, N.C. -- Thirty-third ranked Clemson blanked 37th-ranked Minnesota for a 4-0 victory in the opening round of the 2004 NCAA Men's Tennis Tournament on Saturday afternoon at the Ambler Tennis Stadium in Durham, N.C.

The Tigers improve to 23-11 on the year while the Golden Gophers fall to 14-10. Clemson advances to Sunday's second round and will meet sixth-ranked Duke, a 4-0 winner over Winthrop. Match time is set for 12 noon.

Clemson captured the doubles point with wins at the top two positions. John Boetsch then put the Tigers ahead 2-0 with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Clay Estes at number four singles.

After Goran Sterijovski upended 64th-ranked Aleksey Zharinov in straight sets at number two, Ryan Young clinched the match for Clemson with a three-set win over Brian Lipinski at number six.

#33 Clemson 4, #37 Minnesota 0

SINGLES

1. #80 Chris Wettengel (MN) vs. #96 Nathan Thompson, DNF

2. Goran Sterijovski (CU) def. #64 Aleksey Zharinov, 6-4, 6-2

3. Andres Osorio (MN) vs. Jarmaine Jenkins, DNF

4. John Boetsch (CU) def. Clay Estes, 6-4, 6-2

5. Dusan Tabak (MN) vs. Damiisa Robinson, DNF

6. Ryan Young (CU) def. Brian Lipinski, 6-1, 2-6, 6-0

Order of finish: 4, 2, 6

DOUBLES

1. #37 Jarmaine Jenkins & Nathan Thompson (CU) def. Chris Wettengel & Andres Osorio, 8-1

2. John Boetsch & Damiisa Robinson (CU) def. Clay Estes & Aleksey Zharinov, 8-4

3. Brett Twente & Ryan Young (CU) vs. Dusan Tabak & Sion Wilkins, DNF

Order of finish: 1, 2