March 31, 2004

The University of Denver edged Colorado, 4-3, in men's tennis action this afternoon at CU-Boulder South Campus Tennis Courts. The Pioneers needed four and a half hours to knock-off the Buffs for the first time since turning NCAA Division I six years ago.

Denver lost a tough doubles point, but came back to win four singles matches to improve its record to 10-8 this season. Denver's Jason Tan (Amsterdam, Netherlands) edged Chad Tsuda for the deciding point in the team score in a tough three-set match, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3 at No. 5 singles.

"We lost a tough doubles point, but we fought really hard in singles to get the win," head coach Geoff Young said. "I am proud of the guys for not quitting and Jason Tan pulled us through with a huge win at No. 5 singles."

Also winning singles matches for Denver were Nejc Smole (Ljubljana, Slovenia) at No. 1, Hans Peter Gaber (Anger, Austria) at No. 3 and Niko Popovic (Ljubljana, Slovenia) at No. 6.

Denver returns to action on Friday, April 2 with a home match against Montana at Stapleton Tennis Pavilion.

Denver 4, Colorado 3

Singles

1) #94 Nejc Smole (DU) def. Marko Bundalo (DU), 7-6(17), 7-6 (2)

2) Peter Bjork (CU) def. Urban Ljubic (DU), 6-2, 6-1

3) Hans Peter Gaber (DU) def. Macos Digliodo (CU), 6-3, 6-4

4) Marek Dvorak (CU) def. Viktor Zetterholm (DU), 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(2)

5) Jason Tan (DU) def. Chad Tsuda (CU), 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3

6) Niko Popovic (DU) def. Elliot Quibell (CU), 1-6, 6-3, 7-5

Doubles

1) Bundalo/Digliodo (CU) def. Smole/Gaber (DU), 9-8(8)

2) Tsuda/Dixon (CU) def. Zetterholm/Tan (DU), 8-3

3) Ljubic/Popovic (DU) def. Dvorak/Bjork (CU), 8-3