Oct. 27, 2003
History seems to be repeating itself, at least at the ITA Midwest Regional as far as the Fighting Illini are concerned. Just as happened a year ago, Illinois players own three of the four singles semi-final berths, with Big Ten foe Jeremy Wurtzman of Ohio State completing the foursome. There are some new faces this time around for the Illini in their assault of the Midwest regional title. The only semi-finalist from a year ago for the Orange and Blue competing in this year's tournament is Michael Calkins, who has once again reached the semis. The other two Illini that will join Calkins in tomorrow's semifinals are Chris Martin and Pramod Dabir. Calkins' and Martin's success has also extended to doubles-they have reached tomorrow's championship match.
Dabir has been impressive in the tournament, advancing four rounds with out losing a single set. In his match today he faced Western Michigan's top player, Ravi Pathanjali, winning 7-5, 6-3. Tomorrow Dabir will have the challenge of facing number one seed Wurtzman. Wurtzman has been Illinois' worst enemy this fall, having beaten three Illini players in the last two tournaments. He handed Calkins his only defeat in the last two events, defeating him in the Round of 16 (5-7, 6-3, 6-4) of the Icy Hot All-American Tournament held two weeks ago. Today, in a Round of 16 match, Wurtzman defeated Illini sophomore Ryler DeHeart in three sets, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.
"This tournament has been great for our players," said Associate Head Coach Bruce Berque. "Even though Ryler lost, his confidence and competition level after this tournament are much closer to what they should be after his early season struggle."
In the other semifinal, two UI players will face each other for the right to advance to the final. Calkins continued his march today by taking down Minnesota's Avery Ticer, 6-4, 6-3. His opponent tomorrow will be Martin, who defeated Dennis Mertens of Ohio State, 6-4, 6-4. Last year in the same semi-final then-juniors Calkins and Brian Wilson were forced to play each other; Wilson prevailed. Phil Stolt (who advanced in the other half of the bracket) went on to the win the tournament since Wilson had to withraw due to a hamstring injury.
"Sometimes it is difficult to compete against one of your teammates, because one doesn't want to show the other up," continued Berque. "However, Michael and Chris are two of the most competitive guys on the team. I am going to tell both of them to approach the match tomorrow morning like it is any other opponent, because if one doesn't put forth his best effort and loses, he will be disappointed."
Whatever happens in that match, the two will have regroup on the same side of the net in the afternoon. The duo snagged that finals berth by winning two matches today. In their quarterfinal contest, they defeated No. 7 seed Troy Havens and Paul Rose of Purdue, 8-5. Shortly thereafter, they concluded Illinois' day of competition by beating the Minnesota duo of Clay Estes and Avery Ticer, 8-5. Martin and Calkins, who have only recently been playing as a doubles team, will take their winning ways into the doubles championship match against Luis Haddock and Ryan Keckley from Notre Dame. Haddock and Keckley knocked Dabir and DeHeart out of the doubles tournament yesterday in the Round of 16.
"Michael and Chris showed a lot of discipline in their shot selection today," continued Berque. "They complement each other very well, and are going to be a good pair for us this year."
MONDAY'S ILLINOIS RESULTS:
(For complete bracket results visit msuspartans.ocsn.com/sports/m-tennis)
Singles:
Quarterfinals:
#1 Jeremy Wurtzman (OSU) def. #8 Ryler DeHeart (ILL) 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
#2 Michael Calkins (ILL) def. #14 Avery Ticer; (MINN) 6-4, 6-3
#12 Chris Martin (ILL) def. Dennis Mertens (OSU) 6-4, 6-4
Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. #9 Ravi Pathanjali (WMU) 7-5, 6-3
Doubles:
Quarterfinals:
#3 Michael Calkins/Chris Martin (ILL) def. #7 Troy Havens/Paul Rose (PUR) 8-5
Semifinals:
#3 Michael Calkins/Chris Martin (ILL) def. #9 Clay Estes/Avery Ticer (MINN) 8-5
Tuesday's Matchups:
Singles: (Semi-finals)
#2 Michael Calkins (ILL) vs. #12 Chris Martin (ILL), 9 a.m.
Pramod Dabir (ILL) vs. #1 Jeremy Wurtzman (OSU), 9 a.m.
Doubles: (Championship)
#3 Michael Calkins/Chris Martin (ILL) vs. #9 Luis Haddock/Ryan Keckley (ND); 3 p.m.
(# = tournament seed)
