Sept. 18, 2004
After the second day of competition at the Napa Valley Tennis Classic at Meadowood in St. Helena, Calif., the Fighting Illini men's tennis team has earned seven singles victories and three doubles wins. The Orange and Blue competed against high quality opponents once again today facing players from Georgia, Texas A&M and California.
Senior Chris Martin, ranked 50th nationally, was perfect for the day winning both his singles and doubles matches. In singles he beat Brett Joelson of Texas A&M in three sets, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1. Four other Illini followed Martin's lead and etched a win in the record books. Ryler DeHeart (No. 95), who moved to 2-0 this season, triumphed over Matic Omerzel of Georgia, 6-2, 6-2. Freshmen Brandon Davis and Monte Tucker were also victorious on the day. Davis defeated fellow freshman Vaclav Burger from California, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2. Tucker toppled A&M's Marvin Rolle in two sets, 6-4, 6-4 and improved his season record to 2-0. Illinois' other singles victory came from GD Jones who won in a three set come from behind victory. He was victorious over Georgia's Antonio Ruiz, 6-7 (8), 6-2, 6-3.
In doubles the Illini were not quite as successful but didn't go down easy. Martin and Evan Zeder found victory lane by beating Ricardo Gonzalez and Omerzel from Georgia, 8-5. Andrew Eklov and Tucker fell to Burger and Lennart Maack from California, 8-6; Pramod Dabir and Davis dropped their set to Rolle and Jerry Makowski of A&M, 8-4; and DeHeart and Jones fell to John Isner and Ruiz of Georgia, 8-2.
"Considering the circumstances, everyone did a great job, competed hard and fought hard," said Illinois Head Coach Craig Tiley after competition today. "We have one day left to compete and then we can regroup after a very tough weekend."
"We are on our way to the hospital to see Coach (Brad) Dancer," continued Tiley. "He is still in intensive care but we are looking forward to seeing and talking to him about today's tennis."
The Orange and Blue will conclude the three day tournament tomorrow with action starting at 8 a.m. pacific. To listen to tomorrow's action please visit radiotennis.com.
September 18th Results (Day 2)
Singles Results:
Tyler Browne (CAL) def. Evan Zeder (ILL), 6-1, 7-6 (2)
Brandon Davis (ILL) def. Vaclav Burger (CAL) 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2
Monte Tucker (ILL) def. Marvin Rolle (A&M) 6-4, 6-4
Ryler DeHeart (ILL) def. Matic Omerzel (UG) 6-2, 6-0
Chris Martin (ILL) def. Brett Joelson (A&M) 7-5, 4-6, 6-1
John Pettit (CAL) def. Andrew Eklov (ILL) 6-2, 7-6 (7)
Matt Bain (A&M) def. Pramod Dabir.(ILL) 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (1)
GD Jones (ILL) def. Antonio Ruiz (UG) 6-7 (8), 6-2, 6-3
Doubles:
Chris Martin/Evan Zeder (ILL) def. Ricardo Gonzalez/Matic Omerzel (UG) 8-5
John Isner/Antonio Ruiz (UG) def. Ryler DeHeart/GD Jones (ILL) 8-2
Marvin Rolle/Jerry Makowski (A&M) def. Pramod Dabir/Brandon Davis (ILL) 8-4
Lennart Maack/Vaclav Burger (CAL) def. Andrew Eklov/Monte Tucker (ILL) 8-6
