April 25, 1999

NORCROSS, Ga. - Top-seeded Duke successfully defended its Atlantic Coast Conference men's tennis championship by defeating second-seeded Georgia Tech, 4-0, in the title match Sunday at the Racquet Club of the South.

Duke's Andres Pedrosa defeated Tech's Jason Jeong, 6-3, 6-1, at No. 5 singles to clinch the match for the Blue Devils (22-4). This year's ACC title is Duke's eighth overall.

Georgia Tech (15-7), looking for its first ACC crown, was making its first appearance in the championship match since 1994 when the Yellow Jackets fell to the Blue Devils, 4-1.

Duke's Pedro Escudero was named the 1999 tournament Most Valuable Player. He defeated Tech's Roberto Suarez, 6-1, 6-2, at No. 3 singles. Duke's Porter Jones also defeated Tech's Sergio Aguirre, 6-2, 6-2, at No. 6.

The Blue Devils opened the day by winning the doubles point with victories at the No. 1 and 3 positions. Duke's Jordan Wile and Dmitry Muzyka downed Tech's Tim Bibby and Benjamin Cassaigne at No. 1, and Duke's Ramsey Smith and Jones topped Aguirre and Matt Cozad at No. 3.

#1 Duke 4, #2 Georgia Tech 0

Doubles
1. Jordan Wile/Dmitry Muzyka (Duke) d. Tim Bibby/Benjamin Cassaigne (GT) 8-3
2. Doug Root/Pedro Escudero (Duke) v. Roberto Suarez/Robert Wright (GT) DNF
3. Ramsey Smith/Porter Jones (Duke) d. Sergio Aguirre/Matt Cozad (GT) 8-5
(Duke wins the doubles point)

Singles
1. Dmitry Muzyka (D) d. Benjamin Cassaigne (GT) 7-5, 6-1
2. Doug Root (D) v. Matt Cozad (GT) DNF
3. Pedro Escudero (D) d. Roberto Suarez (GT) 6-1, 6-2
4. Ramsey Smith (D) v. Romain Coirault (GT) DNF
5. Andres Pedrosa (D) d. Jason Jeong (GT) 6-3, 6-1
6. Porter Jones (D) d. Sergio Aguirre (GT) 6-2, 6-2
Note: Muzyka and Cassaigne completed their match after the win was clinched. The point does not count toward the final team score.