Oct. 16, 2004

Midland, Texas - The Illini duo of Pramod Dabir and Evan Zeder were the last thing standing for the Illini Saturday night until they fell in the doubles third round of the Midland Invitational in Midland, Texas. The pair finished 2-1 on the weekend, while Dabir finished 2-2 in singles after dropping his second match today in singles.

"Our goal was to come down here and play as many matches as we could and I feel we did that," student assistant Michael Calkins said. "I thought their play in doubles was great. I think this leaves them on a high note going into this week and hopefully is something they can build on this season."

Dabir and Zeder wanted to make a statement against USC's strong duo of Adam Loucks and Aaron Badart and did in the first match this afternoon winning 9-7 in a tight back-and-fourth match. That win put them into the third round where they found another top doubles team in Roger Gubser and Callum Beale from Texas. This match was a different story as the Illini did not have what it took to advance to the finals, falling to the Longhorns pair 8-5.

In singles, No. 68 Dabir went against USC's Adam Loucks in the first match of the back draw. The junior won a close first set 7-6 (4) and then pulled away 6-4 in the second to secure the victory. In the second match this afternoon, Dabir lost to Michael Innerebner of Texas Tech 6-4, 4-6, (10-7).

Midland Invitational Results
Singles:
No. 68 Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. Adam Loucks (USC); 7-6 (4), 6-4
M. Innerebner (Texas Tech) def. No. 68 Pramod Dabir (ILL);6-4, 4-6, (10-7)

Doubles:
Evan Zeder/Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. Adam Loucks/Aaron Badart (USC); 9-7
Roger Gubser/Callum Beale (Texas) def. Evan Zeder/Pramod Dabir (ILL); 8-5