Nov. 14, 2006
URBANA, Ill. - Last year Kevin Anderson was the beneficiary of a withdrawal to advance to the USTA Challenger of Champaign-Urbana's Second Round. This year, he did it the old fashioned way, earning it.
Anderson defeated Todd Widom in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, at Urbana's Atkins Tennis Center and now moves on to face either Kevin Kim or Scott Oudsema in a match tentatively scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. While his massive serve was present as always, it was the rest of the game that led him to the victory.
"I wasn't serving my best, and he was making returns, so that made it really difficult," Anderson said. "But I was happy with how I played from the baseline, and how I stayed composed throughout the match."
Anderson's victory last year was the first time a current University of Illinois athlete had advanced to the second round.
Anderson will have some Illini company there, as former Illini and 2003 NCAA Doubles Champion Rajeev Ram also advanced with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over 2000 Challenger Champion Jeff Salzenstein. Ram has struggled all season after a debilitating wrist injury, so a strong start here was a relief for the Carmel, Ind., native.
"I thought that I played well," Ram said. "I came out and served really well, which gave me an opportunity to take some chances on my return game. Anytime I can win a match without losing my serve is obviously great."
Ram's doubles partner from 2003 was not as lucky. Brian Wilson opened well, but couldn't keep up with second-seeded Robert Kendrick, falling 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.
Former University of Illinois star Amer Delic was honored during Monday night's Illinois Basketball game with Austin Peay for his 2003 NCAA Singles Championship. It was a ceremony that was unexpected for the 6'5" star from Jacksonville, Fla., but one he hopes to repeat.
"It was really awesome to walk out there and have all of the Illini supporters cheering," Delic said. "Not too many people get to do that. Hopefully, the next time it will be after winning a Grand Slam tournament."
Delic opens tournament play against Cecil Mamiit Tuesday night. Those two players faced off two months ago for the championship of the New Orleans Challenger, a match Mamiit won in straight sets.
Tournament Director Jim Tressler was informed by Mark Philippoussis late this afternoon that he will not be participating in this week's Challenger. The fourth-seed was replaced in the Main Draw by lucky loser Brendan Evans, leaving no other seeded players in Amer Delic's quarter of the draw.
A complete draw and order of play are available at www.illinoischallenger.com.
MEDIA NOTE
2003 NCAA Singles Champion and Challenger fifth seed Amer Delic will be available to the media during the Ron Zook/Bruce Weber weekly press conference Tuesday at 11 a.m. Photos of Challenger players are available upon request. Contact Mike Cation for information.
DAY THREE RESULTS
MAIN DRAW SINGLES
First Round:
George Bastl (SUI) def. Alex Kuznetsov (USA) 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (2)
Andre Sa (BRA) def. Richard Bloomfield (GBR) 6-3, 6-1
Zack Fleishman (USA) def. #8 Paul Capdeville (CHI) 6-1, 4-1, ret.
Kevin Anderson (RSA) def. Todd Widom (USA) 6-3, 6-4
Rajeev Ram (USA) def. Jeff Salzenstein (USA) 6-1, 6-4
#2 Robert Kendrick (USA) def. Brian Wilson (USA) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
Qualifying Round:
Wesley Whitehouse (RSA) def. #2 Brendan Evans (USA) 6-2, 6-3
Izak Van Der Merwe (RSA) def. Steven Moneke (GER) 2-6, 6-1, 6-1
#1 Jamie Baker (GBR) def. Tim Smyczek (USA) 6-0, 4-6, 6-3
Nikita Kryvonos (USA) def. Tyler Cleveland (USA) 7-6 (3), 3-1 ret.
MAIN DRAW DOUBLES
First Round:
Jamie Baker (GBR)/Brendan Evans (USA) def. Kelly Jones (USA)/Wesley Whitehouse (RSA) 7-5, 1-6, (10-8)
Ilia Bozoljac/Dusan Vemic (SRB) def. Brandon Davis/Marc Spicijaric (USA) 7-6 (6), 6-4
Goran Dragicevic/Mirko Pehar (USA) def. Cecil Mamiit/Eric Taino (PHI) 7-5, 6-3
Qualifying Round:
#1 Stephen Mitchell/Izak Van Der Merwe (RSA) def. #2 Chris Klingemann (USA)/Bjorn Munroe (BAH) 1-6, 6-4 (10-6)
QUOTES:
Kevin Anderson on what his win means to him:
"I'm not that concerned about the points right now. It's just great to be playing in a Challenger at the U of I, because I've basically been traveling since March. So it's really great to be at the home courts."
Rajeev Ram on the home crowd:
"The crowd was good. It's still early in the tournament, and there are a lot of matches out there, but they were very supportive. And supportive without being rude, which is great."
Brian Wilson on a disappointing loss:
"I don't really think there was a real turning point. We were both serving well, and then he just started hitting his forehand a lot better in the second set. And when he started hitting those serves, I just kind of lost my rhythm on his service games."
Amer Delic on tomorrow's match with Cecil Mamiit:
"It should be tough. The guy gets a lot of balls back, so it'll be a grind. But I'm ready for it. Hopefully, I'll come out on top and not disappoint."
HIGHLIGHTED MATCHES FOR TUESDAY
1:30- #1 Frank Dancevic vs. Nikita Kryvonos
6:30- #5 Amer Delic vs. Cecil Mamiit
7:30- Ryan Rowe vs. Rik De Voest
8:00- Brian Wilson/Andre Sa vs. Billy Heiser/Sasha Kharkevitch
