DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
ITA All-American - Day Two
Dzanko Finishes ITA All-American Championships
10/2/2011 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S TENNIS
Oct. 2, 2011
TULSA, Okla. - DePaul sophomore standout Filip Dzanko closed out the ITA All-American Championship on Sunday. Dzanko reached the third round of the prequalifying bracket being played at Tulsa's Case Tennis Center, but was unable to advance after dropping a three-set thriller to Carlin Murray from Louisiana-Lafayette.
With the support of his two teammates - George Chanturia and Matija Palinic, Dzanko battled with Murray for every point as long rallies, overpowering serves and strategically placed shots highlighted the morning match.
The Blue Demon sophomore dropped the first set 6-4; but roared back into the match with an impressive 6-1 set-two victory to even the slate at one apiece.
Needing to take the deciding set, Dzanko and Murray battled for every point, but it was Murray who moved on -- taking the final set 7-5.
Dzanko went 2-1 at the All-American and improved to 6-2 on the season. The sophomore, who joined the Blue Demon roster in January 2011, has posted a 22-9 overall record.
Chanturia and Palinic rounded out DePaul's participation at the All-American. Both Chanturia and Palinic won their opening round matches on Saturday, but fell in their respective second round matches later in the evening.
Dzanko, Chanturia and Palinic are the first three men's tennis players to participate in the All-American since 2007.
The Blue Demon trio rejoins the rest of the men's tennis roster as the squad travels to the Illinois Challenger Per-Qualifier in Champaign, Oct. 7-9.
