Nov. 25, 2000
Updated USTA Challenger Qualifying Draw Sheet in PDF Format
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Sunday's Schedule of USTA Qualifying Matches in PDF Format
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Atkins Tennis Center was host to the first day of the USTA Challenger. Today, first and second round singles qualifying matches were played in the quest to earn a berth in the main draw of the professional event.
Illini freshman Philip Stolt started the day with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over former NCAA singles champion David Dilucia. Stolt advanced to the second round, where he fell 6-2, 6-2, to No. 2 seed Rojier Wassen (Netherlands). Classmate Michael Calkins met Illinois junior Nathan Zeder. Calkins won the match, 7-6(5), 6-2, and then proceeded to the second round, where he was defeated 6-2, 6-3 by the No. 3 seed, Dimitri Vlassov (Russia).
"This is an awesome tournament," said Stolt. "The whole tournament has transformed Atkins into a professional arena. We have the chance to get to play some really good players, and that's good for us."
"It was a great day of tennis," said Illinois Head Coach Craig Tiley. "This year we had the strongest field that we have ever had at the Challenger. The cut-off for the qualifying entry was a world ranking of 207. Therefore, the quality of the qualifying round was very high. Our Illinois players gained valuable experience today, as they competed with some of the top players in the world."
Former Illini Jerry Turek was among the competitors in the qualifying tournament. In the first round, he defeated the No. 8 seed, Germany's Bjorn Jacob, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. In the second round, Turek pulled off a 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 victory over Gareth Williams (South Africa). Turek advances to the final round of qualifying play, which will be held tomorrow. If he wins Sunday, he will qualify for the main draw of the USTA Challenger event, which starts Monday.
"It's good to be back in Champaign," said Turek. "It's always good to play in familiar surroundings--I feel really comfortable here. Tomorrow I'm looking to serve better. I have nothing to lose--I've already exceeded my expectations."
The No. 5 seed, Mardy Fish (USA), defeated two Illinois players today. In the first round, he defeated senior Graydon Oliver, 6-4, 6-7(1), 6-3, and in the second round, he beat former Illini Jeff Laski, 7-5, 6-4. Fish, a 19-year-old player who opted for the pro tour instead of going to college, will play tomorrow in the qualifying finals.
The USTA Challenger has drawn many nationally known players and coaches from around the world. Alexander Peya (Austria), is being coached by Joakim Nystrom, a former Top-10 player in the world. Nystrom now assists with coaching the Austrian Federation's top players.
On Sunday, the singles qualifying finals will be played, and will be followed by the first round of qualifying doubles. Singles play commences at 10:00 a.m. Additionally, Atkins will host a "Pro Am" tomorrow from 4-6 p.m. Professional players will team with Champaign-Urbana community members in a mixed doubles round-robin tournament. Mike Cleff, of WCIA Channel 3 will be among the area players competing in the Pro Am.
