University of Tennessee Athletics
Top-Seeded James Blake Wins USTA / UT Challenger
November 18, 2001 | Men's Tennis
Nov. 18, 2001
Top-seeded James Blake of the United States defeated Romania's Gabriel Trifu in Sunday's final round of the USTA/UT Challenger being held at the Goodfriend Tennis Center on the UT campus.
Blake, ranked No. 74 in the world, defeated Trifu 6-4, 6-4 to take the title. The win did not come easily for Blake. Trifu, ranked No. 245 in the world, broke Blake's serve four times before eventually succumbing.
"He (Trifu) played really well," Blake offered about his opponent. "After getting broken like that, I was just happy to be able to get a hold (of service) there at the end to win the match."
The American pair of Jeff Morrison and Mardy Fish took home the doubles championship Sunday. The No. 4-seeded pair defeated fellow Americans Brandon Coupe and Kelly Gullett 6-3, 6-0.
"This tournament was a great showcase for UT tennis, the UT staff, the UT facilities and for the University itself," UT head coach Michael Fancutt said. "I would like to congratulate James Blake on his tournament title. James is a classy guy, who I believe will play himself into the top 20 in the world in the next year."
The Tennis Vols will next be in action Jan. 7, 2002 at the USTA Futures tournament of Florida.
| Sunday's Results: (Seed) |
| Singles |
| Final round |
| (1) James Blake (USA) def. Gabriel Trifu (ROM) 6-4, 6-4 |
| Doubles |
| Final round |
| (4) Mardy Fish/Jeff Morrison (USA) def. Brandon Coupe/Kelly Gullett (USA) 6-3, 6-0 |
