University of Illinois sophomore tennis player Ryan Rowe (Moline, Ill.) advanced to the final round of qualifying for the USTA Boca Raton Future in Boca Raton, Fla., but fell to Dmitry Vlasov (RUS) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3

"Ryan has really progressed," Coach Brad Dancer said. "He needs to work on returning serves and controlling his excitement, but his serves were on and his net play was aggressive. When the strengths of his game are on, he can really be a monster. He is not going to be fun for any opponent to play against."

Rowe defeated Adriano Biasella (ITA) 6-3, ret. in the opening round on Saturday. In the second round, Rowe defeated Bart Scott (USA) 6-4, 6-3 and later dispatched Waylon Chin (USA) 6-4, 6-3 before falling to Vlasov in the fourth round. Vlasov, who reached a career-high singles ranking of 240 in the world, also ended another Illini's run. Earlier last week, Illinois' Ryler DeHeart (Tampa, Fla.) lost to Vlasov in the opening round of the main draw at the Star Island Classic Future in Kissimmee, Fla., 7-6(5), 6-3.

Brandon Davis (Austin, Texas) was also in action at the Boca Raton Future. The Illini sophomore was defeated by Chase Buchanan (USA) 6-2, 6-2 in the first round on Friday.

Boca Raton Futures Results
Round of 128
Chase Buchanan (USA) def. Brandon Davis (USA); 6-2, 6-2
Ryan Rowe (USA) def. Adriano Biasella (ITA); 6-3, RET
Round of 64
Ryan Rowe (USA) def. Bart Scott (USA); 6-2, 4-6, 6-1
Round of 32
Ryan Rowe (USA) def. Waylon Chin (USA); 6-4, 6-3
Round of 16
Dmitry Vlasov (RUS) def. Ryan Rowe (USA); 6-2, 4-6, 6-3