UNC's Hernandez falls in tennis match against Duke

DURHAM — The celebrations started immediately after Reid Carleton barely held on to give No. 14 Duke a 4-3 Senior Day victory against the No. 19 North Carolina men’s tennis team Tuesday night.

While Duke fans yelled, “Let’s go Duke,” the Blue Devils’ players rushed the court and jumped around their teammate to congratulate him on the match-clinching win.

But in contrast to Duke’s euphoria, the Tar Heels circled around Jose Hernandez to console the freshman after his heartbreaking three-set loss.

“He put his whole soul out there,” UNC coach Sam Paul said. “It’s one of the most courageous performances I’ve ever seen.”

The atmosphere Hernandez encountered was characteristic of the UNC-Duke rivalry. On multiple occasions, Duke supporters were cautioned by the chair judge for verbal attacks upon Hernandez.

Hernandez stormed to a 4-1 lead in the decisive third set, but Carleton started his comeback with a forehand winner down the line to break Hernandez and cut the deficit to 4-2.

The next game included more than a dozen deuce points. While Hernandez took the advantage many times, he eventually fell short. In the process, he developed cramps that plagued his movement for the remainder of the match.

Despite the hindrance, Hernandez held serve easily to move within one game of winning the match, 5-3.

“He didn’t quit even when he was really hurting,” Paul said.

Carleton proved stubborn, winning the following four points to make it 5-4.

Then the rain started. The players continued for two more points, both of which Hernandez won.

With him needing only two points to end the match, the chair judge decided to move the match indoors due to wet conditions.

The break only worsened Hernandez’s cramps. When play resumed, Hernandez could barely run or use his legs when serving.

Carleton took advantage by winning the next two games to take a slight 6-5 lead.

But Hernandez countered with four consecutive forehand winners to hold serve and force a tiebreaker. And after Carleton won the first two points, Hernandez continued his improbable, crippled play by winning five consecutive points.

But with Hernandez again needing only two points for the match, Carleton came through. He won five points in a row to win the third set and kick off the celebration.



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