As the North Carolina men’s tennis match against Duke went down to the wire on Wednesday, it seemed like last year all over again.
Like last year, UNC found itself tied 3-3 against the Blue Devils with the final match in a deciding third set.
And just like last year, sophomore Jose Hernandez was the last Tar Heel left on the court.
This time, history didn’t repeat itself.
Last season, playing against Reid Carleton, Hernandez couldn’t overcome severe leg cramps that began in the third set. He had a chance to serve for the win up 5-4 in the final set, but dropped the game and finally a tiebreaker he had at one point led 5-2, as UNC lost the match.
But on Wednesday, No. 25 Hernandez took down No. 6 Henrique Cunha on the top court and No. 19 North Carolina dropped the No. 10 Blue Devils in a dramatic come-from-behind win.
“It feels amazing,” Hernandez said. “Especially after last year.”
Hernandez ended the match by breaking Cunha in the final game of the third set, with Cunha down 5-4 but on serve. It was the only break of the set for either player.
When Cunha sailed a forehand long on match point, a clearly drained Hernandez threw his arms up in celebration and walked off the court smiling.