In a match that featured more curve balls than some baseball games, the No. 3 Illinois men’s tennis team beat No. 25 Clemson 7-0 during the team’s first match of the first-ever Illinois Invitational.

The Illini began the morning in singles competition with the assumption that if they won the singles matches, doubles would not be played.

However, despite sweeping the singles competition, the head coaches determined that Illinois and Clemson would square off for doubles.

“They kind of threw us into the fire, but it was good,” said Illinois sophomore Brandon Davis. “We got the sweep – gotta love that.”

Senior Pramod Dabir and Davis beat Brett Twente and Paul Koenke 8-4 to secure the first doubles win for the team. Senior Ryler DeHeart and sophomore Ruben Gonzales defeated Jarmaine Jenkins and Ryan Young 8-3.

Although the team was not as prepared as usual heading into the doubles matches, Illinois head coach Brad Dancer said he was pleased with the men’s performance against Clemson.

“We’re doing okay in some spots, but a coach is never completely satisfied,” Dancer said.

Dancer said he was pleased with the team’s singles performance after a somewhat disappointing performance against Notre Dame on Feb. 7.

“It took a little while for the guys to get their legs under them,” Dancer said. “Then we had some improvements in the second sets.”

Illinois freshman Marc Spicijaric’s performance was one of the highlights of the night. Spicijaric won in straight sets when he defeated Twente 6-1, 6-1.

“I went out there I was trying to prove a point – to my team, to their team, to everyone,” Spicijaric said. “Once you have the opportunity you have to take advantage of it.”

Spicijaric, the team’s lone freshman, did not play in the match against the Irish.

DeHeart, the nation’s seventh-ranked singles player, continued to be a force for the Illini. He beat the Tigers’ Sander Koning 6-3, 6-2.

DeHeart said he was excited about the team’s performance.

“To get six wins in singles is harder than it looks,” DeHeart said.

As well as the backwards doubles schedule, the Illini also had to battle a tough schedule. After beating Clemson, Illinois assistant coach Kent Kinnear’s alma mater, on their home courts, the Illini were forced to return to the Atkins Tennis Center at 7 p.m. for their second match of the day.

Illinois took on No. 51 Harvard in the nightcap. Although the schedule was very different for the Illini, the men rested between matches and used the break to re-focus.

“You have to realize that it is just tennis and you have to have fun and enjoy yourself out there,” DeHeart said. “All the wins and all of the other stuff is just icing on the cake.”