Nov. 11, 2006
URBANA, Ill. -University of Illinois sophomore Marc Spicijaric advanced to the second round of qualifying at the USTA Challenger of Champaign-Urbana with a 6-1, 6-4 win over teammate Sasha Kharkevitch at the Atkins Tennis Center on Saturday, Nov. 11. It was a dominating performance showcasing what has been a solid fall for the 20-year-old native of Wesley Chapel, Fla.
"I just wanted to take care of the things I needed to do to win, and I was able to," Spicijaric said. "I've been returning a lot better lately, and I've been trying to start off my sets better and pick up the intensity."
Spicijaric now advances to take on South African veteran Wesley Whitehouse in a match scheduled for 10 a.m. on Sunday,Nov. 12.
The rest of the Illini contingent was not as successful in Saturday's action. Junior Brandon Davis fell to top-seed Jamie Baker of Great Britain, 6-0, 6-2, while freshman Billy Heiser succumbed to Ohio State sophomore Bryan Koniecko, 6-4, 6-4. Head coach Brad Dancer, however, found positives in his team's play.
"We have this tournament for the experience of playing in these conditions, and in that sense, nothing is lost," Dancer said. "We got experience. That's what Billy's match came down to. He really hit the ball well today, and he's striking the ball better. He's doing things out of his comfort zone, and that's good to learn how to play in situations like that."
The Main Draw was set on Saturday night, with some potential fireworks for some current and former Illini players. 2003 NCAA singles champion Amer Delic picked up the fifth seed, and has a first round confrontation with 1997 finalist Cecil Mamiit, likely to take place on Tuesday night. Former teammate Rajeev Ram plays 2000 Champion Jeff Salzenstein, while Brian Wilson has a date with second-seed Robert Kendrick, in a match that is sure to be loud and entertaining.
"Rob is playing great ball and is almost cracking the top 100," Wilson said of his equally fiery opponent. "I'm looking forward to playing him, and hope I can bring some good tennis for the home fans."
A pair of current Illini also got into the Main Draw. Big bombers Kevin Anderson and Ryan Rowe will take on Todd Widom and sixth-seed Rik DeVoest, respectively, in matches tentatively scheduled for Monday night.
The Main Draw of the $50,000 2006 USTA Challenger of Champaign-Urbana presented by JSM Management will begin Monday, Nov. 13, with admission free for the first three days. Tickets for the remaining days are available by calling (217) 244-3318, or by visiting www.illinoischallenger.com. General admission is $5 per day, with tickets for the final on Nov. 18 at $8. Student admission is $3 per day.
MEDIA NOTE
Amer Delic, Rajeev Ram and Brian Wilson have all arrived in Champaign, and are available for interviews on Sunday. Delic and Ram are tentatively planning on a practice session at 2:30 tomorrow. For an update, call Mike Cation at (217) 390-0930 Sunday. A pro-am will take place at 5:30PM, with a player party at 7PM. Media interested in attending the party should contact Mike as soon as possible.
DAY ONE RESULTS
QUALIFYING SINGLES
1st Round:
#1 Jamie Baker (GBR) def. Brandon Davis (USA) 6-0, 6-2
Tigran Martirosyan (ARM) def. Bjorn Munroe (BAH) 6-1, 7-5
Tim Smyczek (USA) def. Troy Hahn (USA) 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-0
#5 Phillip King (USA) def. Mashiska Washington (USA) 6-1, 7-5
#2 Brendan Evans (USA) def. Michael Rubin (USA) 6-3, 6-2
Chris Wettengel (USA) def. Chris Harfield (GBR) 6-0, 6-3
Marc Spicijaric (USA) def. Sasha Kharkevitch (USA) 6-1, 6-4
#7 Wesley Whitehouse (RSA) def. Antonio Ruiz-Rosales (MEX) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4
Steven Moneke (GER) def. #3 Dusan Vemic (SRB) 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-3
Chris Klingemann (USA) def. Jhonson Garcia (DOM) 2-6, 6-3, 7-5
Izak Van Der Merwe (RSA) def. Goran Dragicevic 7-5, 6-1
#6 Horia Tecau (ROM) def. Jason Marshall (USA) 6-3, 6-3
#4 Tyler Clevland (USA) def. Miha Gregorc (SLO) w/o
Bryan Koniecko (USA) def. Billy Heiser (USA) 6-4, 6-4
Eric Taino (PHI) def. Mirko Pehar (USA) 6-4, 6-3
Nikita Kryvonos (USA) def. #8 Michael Yani (USA) 6-4, 6-3
QUOTES
Marc Spicijaric on what he knows about his opponent Sunday, Wesley Whitehouse:
"I have no clue about him. I'm going to ask around to the other guys and see what they know about him. But I've got to focus on myself, and execute my game plan."
Brian Wilson on his season:
"I feel very good physically coming into this week. I have been training hard and am with a new coach, Paul Pisani. He's working with Amer as well and over the last month have established a great routine. I am excited to play in front of the home crowd and on these same courts where I competed hard for several years."
Brad Dancer on his other players:
"Both Sasha Kharkevitch and Brandon Davis got out of their comfort zones too. Brandon's match might have been more about competition than atmosphere, but he didn't play his best today."
HIGHLIGHTED MATCHES FOR SUNDAY
10AM- Marc Spicijaric vs. #7 Wesley Whitehouse
11:30AM- #2 Brendan Evans vs. Chris Wettengel
1PM- Tim Smyczek vs. #5 Phillip King
2PM- Doubles qualifying, potential Illini participants.
