Brian Wilson Wins USTA Kenosha Futures Event
August 15, 2004 | Men's Tennis
Aug. 15, 2004
Kenosha, Wis. - The former National Champions continued to flash their brilliance on the professional ranks today, as former Illini, Brian Wilson captured the USTA Kenosha Futures Event winning 7-5, 7-6 (7-2) over Ryan Newport of the United States in Kenosha, Wis. Wilson, who just turned professional months ago following his senior season has quickly become a force in Futures events and later this month will try his hand at the US Open. "This was a great way to finish a great week," Wilson said. "I really played well throughout, especially the way I was able to serve. This is the kind of statement and confidence I needed to build as I go to the US Open later this month." In 2002, another former Illini, Amer Delic made it to the finals in the same event and fell short, this time around Brian Wilson was up to the task. Wilson, who was facing unseeded Ryan Newport of the United States in the finals looked like a breath of fresh air after facing two of the top three seeds in the previous two rounds was anything but a relief. In the first set Wilson was taken to the extreme winning 7-5. In the second and last set, Wilson again was faced with a challenge as Newport took him to a tie-breaker, but the former No. 1 player for the Illini gutted out a 7-2 score in the breaker to claim his first title as a professional. Head coach, Craig Tiley couldn't be more proud of his former player, "I am very ecstatic about this victory for Brian," Tiley said. "For just starting as a professional, this gives him a huge jump in his early career. Many great players go for years without gaining a victory of this magnitude and for Brian to get one only months into his career is amazing." Wilson, who was ranked No. 1 most of his senior season in the collegiate ranks sneaked into the 32-man main draw as a wild card. He began play with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over No. 6 seed Kean Feeder of the United States. In the second round, unseeded David Martin gave it his best shot against the rising former Illini star but fell short 6-4, 6-4. Wilson then made his biggest statement of the tournament, as he took down the No. 3 seed Australian Raphael Durek in comeback fashion 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 and No. 2 seeded Francisco Rodriguez of Paraguay 6-4, 6-3 to advance to the finals.
