Nov. 19, 2006
URBANA. Ill. -
Former University of Illinois star Amer Delic overcame a horrendous start, a tepid serving performance, a bum ankle, and a close friend to earn a berth in the USTA Challenger Final on Friday afternoon. His 0-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4) victory over former Illini teammate Rajeev Ram puts him in to his sixth Challenger final in his last nine tournaments, an unprecedented stretch for the Bosnian native.
"It's tough to play a former teammate," Delic said of his matchup with the former NCAA Doubles Champion, "but it happens at other places too. We both understand it is business. We're both trying to win matches and get points."
The points were all Ram's in the first set. He cruised to a one set lead as Delic sprayed forehands and backhands left and right, winning just five points in six games. It was a stunning start for the gathering Illini faithful, with Delic having played solid, if not spectacular, tennis for the rest of the week.
But the first game of the second set may have been the turning point. Ram's forehand suddenly deserted him, and Delic broke for his first game of the match. And Ram knew immediately that it could spell trouble.
"It was very important because he came out and wasn't playing his best," Ram said. "I felt that break just gave him a reason to play a little bit harder. It was a morale boost, and he definitely started playing a little better."
Despite a late break in the second, Delic took the set in a tiebreaker, 7-4. But he felt a twinge of pain early on in the second, which progressively got worse. It required a visit from the trainer, and a change in strategy that made him focus on ending points earlier. And it worked. In his first four service games of the third set, Delic fired eight aces, and Ram could only get the ball back in play on two points.
"I knew that if I didn't serve well, I was in trouble in that third set," Delic said. "I knew the ankle was going to be tough on the other parts of my game, so I just refocused on making my serves."
Ram also raised his level of play, hitting ten winners in the third set. Neither player was able to break, forcing another tiebreaker, which was all Delic, winning the last six points of the match. With the victory, he picks up enough points to virtually guarantee him entry in to the 2007 Australian Open. A win tomorrow would clinch a spot in the top 100.
"It means a lot," he said. "It's the goal for a lot of the guys who start trying to play tennis. I mean, being in the top 100 in anything is an accomplishment. It means security for the next year. But I'm not there yet, I need one more step."
His opponent for that final step is Zack Fleishman, a 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (4) winner over Michael Rusell in the day's other semifinal. Delic and Fleishman have played two times, with Delic winning their last match in October, which leaves Fleishman looking for a unique bit of revenge.
"He beat me in Calabasas, which is my home town. I thought that he would have been nicer to me," Fleishman said with a smile.
The doubles final will both members of the 2003 NCAA Championship Doubles team from the University of Illinois. Brian Wilson teamed with Andre Sa to take out Chris Drake and Sam Warburg, 1-6, 7-6 (6), 11-9. Wilson finished the match with a ripped forehand return, and wants an "Illini Saturday."
"I love being here, and obviously, I'm happy to be playing on the last day," he said. "I'm so glad for Amer, and if we can get the titles, we'll have a good night in Champaign."
He'll be across the net from his collegiate partner, Rajeev Ram. Ram and Rik De Voest defeated Goran Dragicevic and Mirko Pehar, 5-7, 6-4, (10-5).
Media Note: Delic's win today will have him ranked at 104 or 105 on Monday. The top 104 are guaranteed in to the Australian Open. Should he win, Delic would be ranked 98 on Monday.
DAY SEVEN RESULTS:
MAIN DRAW SINGLES
Semifinals:
#5 Amer Delic (USA) def. Rajeev Ram (USA) 0-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2)
Zack Fleishman (USA) def. Michael Russell (USA) 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (4)
MAIN DRAW DOUBLES
Semifinals:
#2 Andre Sa (BRA)/Brian Wilson (USA) def. #4 Chris Drake/Sam Warburg (USA) 1-6, 7-6 (6), (11-9)
#3 Rik De Voest (RSA)/Rajeev Ram (USA) def. Goran Dragicevic/Mirko Pehar (USA) 5-7, 6-4, (10-5)
QUOTES
Rajeev Ram on the break to start the second: "It was very important because he came out and wasn't playing his best. I felt that just gave him a reason to play a little bit harder. It was a morale boost, and he definitely started playing a little better."
On Delic's serve: "I felt I was doing a good job when he was throwing a second serve in. But they were all first serves."
On a semifinal run: "It's obviously not what I was looking for, but obviously, I'm happy with the result. It doesn't feel good now. But there are definitely positives to take out of it. This week, I don't think it's my best tennis by far. But hopefully there's better to come in the new year."
Amer Delic on nearing the top 100: "It means a lot. It's the goal for a lot of the guys who start trying to play tennis. I mean, being in the top 100 in anything is an accomplishment. It means almost security for the next year. But I'm not there yet, I need one more step."
On his serving performance in the 3rd set: "I think that was after I retaped my ankle. I knew that if I didn't serve well, I was in trouble in that third set. I knew the ankle was going to be tough on the other parts of my game, so I just refocused on making my serves."
On playing Rajeev: "It's tough to play a former teammate. But it happens at other places too. We both understand it's business. We're both trying to win matches and get points. Nobody is laying it down out there because we're friends and practice together."
On reaching another final: "It's tough to look at it like it's just another final, obviously. My plan right now is to come out as healthy as I possibly can. I've played Zack a couple times, and he is playing really well. It's going to be tough. But it's a final. Anything can happen, especially if I'm in the final."
Brian Wilson on whether this means more than other tournaments: "Oh yeah. Playing with Andre has been incredible. He's the best doubles player, accomplishment wise, that I've ever played with. And playing in my house is a lot of fun. Well, mine and Amer's house. Seeing Amer and Raj battle it out before my match really got me inspired."
On his second home, Champaign: "I love being here, and obviously, I want to be playing on the last day. I'm so glad for Amer, and if we can get the titles, we'll have a good night in Champaign."
Highlighted Matches for Saturday, beginning at 11:30AM:
11:30AM- Doubles Final - #2 Andre Sa/Brian Wilson vs. Rajeev Ram/Rik DeVoest
1:00PM - Singles Final - #5 Amer Delic vs. Zack Fleishman
