Duke University Team Page

FLUSHING, N.Y. – Senior Henrique Cunha and sophomore Raphael Hemmeler will compete for the doubles title at the USTA/ITA National Indoor Championships after collecting a semifinal victory against Virginia’s Jamere Jenkins and Mac Styslinger on Saturday, at the tournament being played at the Billy Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.

After winning the first set by a slight 7-5 margin, Cunha and Hemmeler, the 16th-ranked team in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s preseason rankings, coasted against Jenkins and Styslinger in the second set on their way to posting a 7-5, 6-2 victory. With the win, the Blue Devil team improves their record for the fall to an 11-1 mark. The team will contend for the doubles title with Georgia’s Hernus Pieters and Ben Wagland on Sunday. Cunha and Hemmeler are the third Blue Devil tandem to compete in the finals. Cunha previously played in the finals as a freshman in 2009,falling in three sets with partner Reid Carleton. Ludovic Walter and Jason Zimmerman won the event in 2003.

Cunha and Hemmeler were able to get into the field at the prestigious event after taking the doubles title at the ITA Carolina Regional last month. Cunha became the first player in the history of the Carolina region to win the ITA Carolina Regional doubles title in four consecutive seasons

In singles, Cunha, the top-ranked player in the ITA preseason rankings, was defeated by second-ranked Jenkins, 6-1. Cunha was forced to retire following the set, ending his run in the tournament. The senior ends the fall season with an impressive 12-3 record in singles, tying freshman Michael Redlicki with the most wins for the Blue Devils during the fall.

The doubles finals and singles final are scheduled to be played Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m.

Results

Singles:

No. 2 Jamere Jenkins (Virginia) def. No. 1 Henrique Cunha (Duke), 6-1, (ret.)

Doubles:

Cunha/Hemmeler (Duke) def. Jenkins/Styslinger (Virginia), 7-5, 6-2