Jan. 15, 2005

San Juan, Puerto Rico - It turned out to be a beautiful last two days of the Puerto Rico Invitational after rain threatened play earlier in the week. The Illini finished the Invitational on Saturday with everyone playing three singles and two doubles matches for the weekend. Unfortunately the Illini fell in five of its seven matches today, but freshman Kevin Anderson pulled out another victory, moving to 3-0 (singles) and 2-0 (doubles) in his first five collegiate matches. Originally doubles were scheduled for today, but due to scheduling circumstances doubles were not played.

"Beating the rain was a big plus for us the last two days," said head coach Craig Tiley after completing play at the Puerto Rico Invitational on Saturday. "Overall this was a good weekend and a great way to start the year. Being able to play against three solid teams like Cal, Georgia Tech and TCU will get us prepared for the tougher competition the rest of the year."

The Illini got off to a slow in the morning singles session as they faced off against players from Cal and Georgia Tech. Ryler DeHeart, who had a up-and-down day on Friday, still could not find the rhythm he had going earlier this fall as he fell to Georgia Tech's top player Jose Muruguza 6-2, 6-1. DeHeart is now 19-3 on the season, 1-2 this on the trip. Pramod Dabir regained the swagger today as he defeated Zachary Rath from Georgia Tech 6-1, 6-4. Dabir finished the trip 2-1 in singles and 2-0 in doubles.

Freshman Kevin Anderson possibly looked the most impressive of anyone throughout the lengthy trip for Illinois. The South African remains perfect as an Illini after another win today against TCU's Daniel Sebescen, winning 6-2, 6-3. Fellow freshman Monte Tucker failed to move to 3-0 on the weekend as he fell in straight sets to Georgia Tech's David North 6-2, 6-2.

"Everyone got to play three singles and two doubles matches and were all competitive, which is what we were looking for," Tiley said. "Kevin and Pramod I thought had great weekends, but there are a few guys that have some work to do."

The Illini will head to Muncie, Ind. next weekend to face off against the Ball State Redbirds on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. Illinois will host their home opener the following weekend against Florida State on Friday, Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Today's Results
Singles:
Jose Muruguza (GT) def. Ryler DeHeart (Ill) 6-2, 6-1
Pramod Dabir (Ill) def. Zachary Rath (GT) 6-1, 6-4
Kevin Anderson (Ill) def. Daniel Sebescen (TCU) 6-2, 6-3
David North (GT) def. Monte Tucker (Ill) 6-2, 6-2
Ken Nakahara (Cal) def. Evan Zeder (Ill) 7-6(2), 6-2
George Gvelesiani (GT) def. Brandon Davis (Ill) 7-6(5), 6-2
Dean Wallace (Cal) def. Conner Murnighan (Ill) 6-3, 6-0