Nov. 14, 2006
URBANA, Ill. - Amer Delic thrilled the home crowd at the Atkins Tennis Center with a serving clinic, dispatching Cecil Mamiit, 7-6(3), 6-3, to advance to the second round of the USTA Challenger of Champaign-Urbana. Delic gave up only one break the entire match against an opponent who he'd lost to twice this year.
"It's never easy to get the first one in a tournament," Delic said. "But now that it's over, I feel good about it. When I got broken at 5-4 in the first set, it was a combination of him making some great passing shots and me missing some serves. But I think I kept my composure and played a solid tiebreak. Then, in the second set I played well and made my serves."
Delic now moves on to play the talented Phillip Simmonds on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Delic has defeated Simmonds twice in the last two months, including a three-set struggle in the Round of 16 in Nashville last week.
Challenger Tuesday came to a close with a couple of disappointing losses for the current University of Illinois men's tennis team. First, Freshmen Billy Heiser and Sasha Kharkevitch stunned the second-seeded duo of former Illini Brian Wilson and Brazilian Andre Sa in the opener, but couldn't hold on in a three-set loss. One court over, junior Ryan Rowe looked outmatched against sixth-seeded Rik De Voest, picking up a single game in a 6-0, 6-1 loss.
Top-seeded Frank Dancevic retired from his match on Tuesday after suffering a hamstring pull while leading Nikita Kryvonos 7-6(2), 2-4. It was a disappointing end to his season, but the season itself has fulfilled every goal he hoped for.
"My goal at the beginning of the year was to be in the top 100, so I'm pretty pleased," Dancevic said. "After I pulled my hamstring, I didn't want to make it worse for those tournaments at the beginning of the year and the training I have to put in."
Seeded winners on Tuesday include No. 3 Kevin Kim and No. 7 Ilia Bozoljac. The 21-year-old Serbian is the next opponent for former Illini Rajeev Ram.
Wednesday will see three current or former Illini in the second round, which is a first for the USTA Challenger. Kevin Anderson, Delic, and Ram are all on the schedule, with Anderson's match beginning at 4:30 p.m., Delic at 6:30 p.m. and Ram at 8:00 p.m. Anderson and Rowe open doubles play at 8:00 p.m. as well, as the defending NCAA double champions take on Chris Drake and Sam Warburg. A complete schedule and draw sheet are available at www.illinoischallenger.com. Admission on Wednesday is free to the public.
MEDIA NOTE
Turnout was extremely high for Delic's match this evening, estimated around 250 on his court alone. It made for a packed upper balcony and full middle stands. We're pleased with the evening crowd, and appreciate the coverage you all have helped provide.
DAY FOUR RESULTS
MAIN DRAW SINGLES
First Round
Michael Russell (USA) def. Scott Lipsky (USA) 6-1, 6-2
Phillip Simmonds (USA) def. Ryan Sweeting (USA) 7-5, 7-5
Nikita Kryvonos (USA) def. #1 Frank Dancevic (CAN) 6-7 (2), 4-2 ret.
Jesse Witten (USA) def. Wesley Whitehouse (RSA) 7-6 (4), 6-1
#3 Kevin Kim (USA) def. Scott Oudsema (USA) 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3
Sam Warburg (USA) def. Jamie Baker (GBR) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
#7 Ilia Bololjac (SRB) def. Izak Van Der Merwe (RSA) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
Brendan Evans (USA) def. Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) 6-2, 7-6 (5)
#5 Amer Delic (USA) def. Cecil Mamiit (PHI) 7-6 (3), 6-3
#6 Rik De Voest (RSA) def. Ryan Rowe (USA) 6-0. 6-1
MAIN DRAW DOUBLES
First Round
Alex Kuznetsov/Scott Oudsema (USA) def. Phillip Simmonds/Jesse Witten (USA) 7-5, 6-3
#2 Andre Sa (BRA)/Brian Wilson (USA) def. Billy Heiser/Sasha Kharkevitch (USA) 2-6, 6-0, 10-4
QUOTES
Amer Delic on his opponent Cecil Mamiit
"He's won a few of these before. He's got wins over Agassi. But there's never an easy match in tournaments like this, so you've got to keep going and play your game. As you get deeper, it gets a little better"
On being broken at 5-4
"It was a combination of him making some great passing shots, and me missing some serves."
On Phillip Simmonds
"I played him last week and beat him in three sets. And I beat him earlier this year in straight sets. But I know he's extremely talented. And he's going to be motivated because I know he doesn't want to lose to anybody three times in a row."
Brian Wilson on the Illini Freshmen
"They played really well. They served well. That's how it goes some times in doubles. The credit goes to them. But we knew we'd be fine once their level came down."
Frank Dancevic on his injured hamstring
"In the first set tiebreaker, I just pulled it. I tried to play, but it wasn't responding. My most important goal is to work on my training and be ready for the tournaments at the beginning of the year. I'm set in the top 90 or so, so to have those opportunities is very nice."
HIGHLIGHT MATCHES ON WEDNESDAY
12:00- Michael Russell vs. #2 Robert Kendrick
4:30- Kevin Anderson vs. #3 Kevin Kim
6:30- #5 Amer Delic vs. Phillip Simmonds
8:00- Rajeev Ram vs. #7 Ilia Bozoljac
8:00- Kevin Anderson/Ryan Rowe vs. Chris Drake/Sam Warburg
