DURHAM, N.C.  – The North Carolina Central University men’s tennis team opened competition this weekend against the No. 9 nationally ranked Duke Blue Devils where the Eagles fell 7-0 at the Sheffield Indoor Tennis Center in Durham, N.C.

NCCU junior Daniil Gerasimov competed as the No. 1 singles player for the Eagles and was defeated by the No. 23 nationally ranked Blue Devil, Fred Saba (6-2,6-0). Fellow Eagle senior Jose Fabara battled No. 14 ranked Michael Redlicki suffering a 6-1, 6-0 loss.

Maroon and gray underclassmen Thomas Persico, Fabrice George, Tamina Kienka and Jamal Hoyte also faced defeat against the powerhouse Blue Devils. Persico lost to Bruno Semenzato (6-1,6-1), George fell to No. 38 ranked Raphael Hemmeler  (6-0,6-3), Kienka  was defeated by Daniel McCall (6-0,6-0) and Hoyte fell to Duke’s Josh Levine (6-0, 6-1)

In doubles competition the Blue Devils combination of Hemmeler/Semenzato defeated NCCU’s Persico/George (6-3, unfinished), Duke’s McCall/Redlicki were victorious against the Eagle duo of Gerasimov/Fabara (8-2), and NCCUs Kienka/Hoyte fell to Saba/Levine (8-0).

The Eagles continue play on Saturday, Feb. 16 when they host Presbyterian College at 1 p.m., on the NCCU tennis courts.

For more information on Eagle Tennis or for up-to-date scores and statistics, visit the official NCCU Athletics website at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.