Raiders’ Cucuk dominates sectional field to win singles championship and grab state berth

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Marko Cucuk didn’t shift into cruise control just because his spot in the Illinois boys tennis state tournament field was secure.

A sectional championship, a better state seed and the momentum from a string of victories mattered just as much as qualifying for the championships.

The Quincy Notre Dame junior took care of everything, winning a pair of matches Saturday in straight sets to win the singles title at the Class 1A Chatham Glenwood Sectional played at Washington Park.

Still, he admits the pressure was off having guaranteed himself a top-four finish after winning twice Friday.

“A little bit,” Cucuk said. “I felt more free to do what I want to and just know how I want to play tennis. I wanted that No. 1 in sectionals so I could get a first-round or second-round matchup a little easier at state. It definitely felt more relaxed than (Friday).”

Cucuk opened the sectional with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Rochester’s Ben Atkinson and followed it up with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Springfield’s Peter Mokhoff. In the semifinals, Cucuk swatted away Macomb’s Connor Lukkarinen 6-2, 6-1.

In the championship, a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Springfield’s Krish Khurana gave Cucuk his first sectional title.

“That feeling of knowing I got the No. 1 place felt good,” Cucuk said.

Even better, he played with conviction.

“I felt like I could put shots wherever I wanted them to,” Cucuk said. “My serves were feeling powerful. I felt like I was just controlling the game in every match.”

Now, he gets prepared to face a loaded state field beginning Thursday in Arlington Heights, Ill.

“First, there’s no stopping and no let up just because I won sectionals,” Cucuk said. “There’s no time to slow down. I’ll probably go out and play every day, maybe twice a day, and just keep it up and keep on doing what I’m doing.”