defendThe top-ranked University of Illinois men's tennis team defeated No. 36 Minnesota, 6-1, tonight at the Baseline Tennis Center to win its 46th consecutive match, a new NCAA record. Illinois, the defending Big Ten and NCAA champion, broke Stanford's national record. The Cardinal set the mark from 1997-99 before UI snapped the streak at the National Indoor Championships.

The Golden Gophers (4-5, 1-1 Big Ten) lost the opening doubles matches, but all three were close contests. At No. 1 Brian Wilson and Phil Stolt, ranked No. 3 in the nation, pulled out a 9-7 win over No. 46 Clay Estes and Avery Ticer. UI won two 8-5 matches at No. 2 and 3 to clinch the doubles point.

In singles play, Minnesota picked up its lone at No. 2 as Ticer upset previously-undefeated Michael Calkins, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4. Illinois swept the remaining matches in straight sets to cruise to the record- setting victory.

The Golden Gophers head to California next week to take on Fresno State, Utah, San Diego State, Yale and San Diego.

#1 Illinois 6, #36 Minnesota 1
March 13, 2004 Minneapolis, Minn.

Singles
No. 1 - Brian Wilson (UI) def. Aleksey Zharinov (MN), 6-3, 6-0
No. 2 - Avery Ticer (MN) def. Michael Calkins (UI), 6-4, 1-6, 6-4
No. 3 - Phil Stolt (UI) def. Chris Wettengel (MN), 6-3, 6-3
No. 4 - Ryler DeHeart (UI) def. Andres Osorio (MN), 6-1, 6-4
No. 5 - Chris Martin (UI) def. Dusan Tabak (MN), 7-6, 6-1
No. 6 - Pramod Dabir (UI) def. Brian Lipinski (MN), 7-6, 6-2

Doubles
No. 1 - Wilson/Stolt (UI) def. Clay Estes/Ticer (MN), 9-7
No. 2 - Calkins/Martin (UI) def. Sion Wilkins/Zharinov (MN), 9-5
No. 3 - DeHeart/G.D. Jones (UI) def. Wettengel/Osorio (MN), 8-5