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KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan men's tennis team opened the spring season with a victory over nonconference opponent Illinois-Chicago 6-1 at West Hills Athletic Cub on Monday afternoon. WMU improved to 23-0 all-time against the Flames and the Broncos moved to 1-0 this season.

The Broncos duo of Stephen Payne and Jimmy Beckwith downed the Flames' Nate Campanile and Max Cederkall 6-0 at No. 1 doubles to improve to 5-0 this season. Ruben Greiner and Daniel Loebel secured the doubles point for WMU at No. 2 doubles with a 7-5 (7-5) win over Cal Hedstrom and Marcelo Dib. Matt Hamilton and Maik Steiner earned a win in No. 1 singles to improve to 13-3 together this season.

The Broncos played brillantly in singles winning at No.1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Maik Steiner started things off by winnng in straight sets 6-1, 6-0 at No. 3 singles. Followed by Matej Svjetlicic winning at No. 2 singles 6-2, 6-4 to put the Broncos up 3-0.The match was clinched with Matt Hamilton's first career win at No. 1 singles in straight sets 6-2, 6-4.

The Broncos return to action on the road in West Lafayette, Ind. on Saturday against Eastern Kentucky and Purdue. 

 WMU vs. UIC Singles

1. Matt Hamilton (WMU) def. Carl Hedstrom (UIC) 6-2, 6-4
2. Matej Svjetlicic (WMU) def. Andy Page (UIC) 6-2, 6-4
3. Maik Steiner (WMU) def. Christopher Cole (UIC) 6-1, 6-0
4. Ruben Greiner (WMU) def. Mitch Granger (UIC) 6-3, 6-2
5. Daniel Loebel (WMU) def. Marcelo Dib (UIC) 7-5, 4-6, 10-7
6. Max Cederkall (UIC) def. Andrew Cahn (WMU) 6-3, 1-6, 10-7

Order of finish: 3, 2, 1

WMU vs. UIC Doubles

1. Maik Steiner/Matt Hamilton (WMU) def. Christopher Cole/Mitch Granger (UIC) 7-6 (7-3)
2. Ruben Greiner/Daniel Loebel (WMU) def. Carl Hedstrom/Marcelo Dib (UIC) 7-6 (7-5)
3. Jimmy Beckwith/Stephen Payne (WMU) def. Nate Campanile/Max Cederkall (UIC) 6-0

Order of finish: 3, 2, 1, 4, 6, 5