Nov. 13, 2004

Madison, Wis. - Fighting Illini players won four of their six matches in opening day play today at the Big Ten Singles Tournament, hosted by the University of Wisconsin in its Nielsen Tennis Stadium. Freshman Monte Tucker won both of his matches today, while junior Pramod Dabir and freshman Ruben Gonzales split their two matches.

Tucker, ranked No. 121 in the nation and seeded 11th in the tournament, defeated Steve Peretz of Michigan, 6-3, 6-1, in the round of 64 this morning, then turned around and beat Scott Green of Ohio State, 6-4, 6-3, this afternoon. He is scheduled to do battle tomorrow with Northwestern's Tommy Hanus, the No. 8 seed.

"Monte showed great composure in both of his matches today," said Illinois associate head coach Brad Dancer. "When he is composed like he was today, you really see his true shot-making ability come through."

No. 68 Dabir, the No. 10 seed, stumbled in his first round match to Indiana's David Bubenicek, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, in the opening round, then fought back in the second match of the day against D.J. Geatz of Minnesota by the score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. Dabir will play against Adam Monich of Michigan State Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

"Overall it was a tough morning for Pramod," said Dancer. "I was pleased to see him fight back in the second match this afternoon, but still needs to be more aggressive in his backhand returns."

Gonzales played Alex Kasarov of Wisconsin, the No. 9 seed and upset the Badger in front of his home crowd 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 victory, but lost his second round match against Nic Edlefsen of Minnesota, 6-3, 6-4. He moves on to face Joseph McWilliams of Michigan State on Sunday in the second round consolation bracket.

"Ruben had a great win today," said Dancer. "To beat the No. 1 player for Wisconsin on his home court and save two match points was big."

The Round of 16 and the quarterfinals will be played on Sunday, and the tournament winds up on Monday.

Day 1 Results
D. Bubenicek (Indiana) def. No. 68 Pramod Dabir (ILL); 6-4, 4-6, 3-6
No. 68 Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. D.J. Geatz (Minn.); 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
No. 121 Monte Tucker (ILL) def. Steve Peretz (Mich.); 6-3, 6-1
No. 121 Monte Tucker (ILL) def. Scott Green (OSU); 6-4, 6-3
Ruben Gonzales (ILL) def. Alex Kasarov (Wis.); 4-6, 7-6, 6-3
Nic Edlefsen (Minn.) def. Ruben Gonzales (ILL); 6-3, 6-4