The No. 1-ranked tandem of Kevin Anderson and Ryan Rowe could not overcome an early break in their second-round match at the Polo Ralph Lauren/ITA All-American Championships in Tulsa, Okla., Friday evening. Anderson/Rowe, who advanced into the quarterfinals in singles earlier today, fell to Diego Camacho and Ross Cunningham of Tulsa by a score of 8-6 in their doubles tilt.
No. 1-seeded Anderson and Rowe moved their first-round match easily, but could not get things rolling in their second-round match against the home-town favorites.
"I am real pleased at how well the guys competed out there today," head coach Brad Dancer said. "It is a tough loss, but now it is time for them to focus on their singles matches tomorrow. In singles, Kevin showed a lot of composure out there today and has continued to dictate matches with his tough serve. Ryan played well and showed that he was able to overcome adversity."
The Illini pair now prepare for their singles quarterfinal contests tomorrow at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center, with Anderson and Rowe scheduled on court for a 10 a.m. start.
"Those in the inner circle of college tennis have been looking forward to the match up between Kevin and John Isner," Dancer said. "The two are both big men and have strong serves, possibly two of the best serves in college tennis right now. It is going to be an interesting battle. Ryan, on the other hand, will be facing another lefty, something that he is very comfortable with. For Ryan, it is going to be important for him to play his style tennis, quick points. Arnau Brugues is a player who likes long points, so if Ryan can hurry him he will do well. For Kevin, he is going to need to dictate play from the baseline and serve strong."
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PREVIEWING TOMORROW'S SINGLES MATCHES
Junior Kevin Anderson is facing one of the toughest competitors in the country in John Isner of Georgia. Isner grabbed a No. 2 ranking in the opening preseason poll, while Anderson garnered a No. 17 nod by the ITA committee. Isner was part of the 2005 NCAA doubles championship tandem opposite partner Antonio Ruiz, earning All-America honors that season. In last year's All-American championships, Isner defeated Lars Poershke of Baylor in the 2005 finals, the same netter who topped former Illini Ryler DeHeart in the semifinals. Anderson is currently defending a 6-0 record heading into the quarterfinal contest.
Junior Ryan Rowe continues to roll past seeded players as he topped his second of the tournament in his third-round match. Against ranked opponents, Rowe is 3-1 on the season. The junior now faces his second straight ranked opponent of the tournament in No. 7-ranked Arnau Brugues of Tulsa in the quarterfinals. The hometown favorite enters as the No. 5 seed of the tournament and was recently voted the ITA National Player to Watch this past May. Last season, Brugues garnered Conference USA Male Athlete of the Year honors and grabbed All-America honors in singles with a Round of 16 berth at NCAAs.
Overall, the Illini netters will be facing two of the top-three highest seeds left in the draw.
TOURNAMENT RESULTS AND MATCHES
Day 3: Saturday, Oct. 7
Singles
[Quarterfinals]
No. 9-16-seed Kevin Anderson (ILL) vs. No. 1-seed John Isner (Georgia), 10 a.m.
Ryan Rowe (ILL) vs. No. 5-seed Arnau Brugues (Tulsa), 10 a.m.
Day 2: Friday, Oct. 6
Singles
[Third Round]
No. 9-16-seed Kevin Anderson (ILL) def. Adam Holmstrom (Denver), 6-4, 6-2
Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. No. 9-16-seed Bryan Koniecko (OSU), 6-4, 5-7, 6-3
Doubles
[Second Round]
Diego Camacho/Ross Cunningham (Tulsa) def. No. 1-seeded Anderson/Rowe (ILL), 8-6
Day 1: Thursday, Oct. 5
Singles
[First Round]
No. 9-16-seed Kevin Anderson (ILL) def. Jordan Delass (GTECH), 6-2, 6-2
Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. Sergi Vila (Drake), 6-2, 6-4
[Second Round]
No. 9-16-seed Kevin Anderson (ILL) def. Kaden Hensel (TENN), 6-4, 6-2
Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. No. 3-seed Travis Helgeson (Georgia), 6-3, 7-6(3)
Doubles
[First Round]
No. 1-seed Anderson/Rowe (ILL) def. Joey Atas/Peter Rodrigues (Duke), 8-3
REMAINING TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Oct. 6: Second and Quarterfinals in doubles
Oct. 7: Quarterfinals and Semifinals in singles, Semifinals in doubles
Oct. 8: Finals in both singles and doubles
