July 17, 2006

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Former Illinois men's tennis standout Amer Delic is set to open the RCA Championships on Monday, July 17, with an evening match against Paraguay's Ramon Delgado. The Fighting Illini champion will meet Delgado for the third time in the two's career, this being their first meeting at an ATP event.

Delic, known for leading the Fighting Illini to the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Team Championship in 2003, was pivotal in Illinois' championship run. The Orange and Blue, led by Delic, captured the team and the doubles championships, while Delic captured the singles championship to help Illinois sweep the 2003 NCAA Outdoor Championship crowns.

Since then, Delic has gone on to play in multiple ATP and pro-tour events since turning pro in 2003, most recently making the main draw at the 2006 RCA Championships on July 17-23.

Ryler DeHeart, who finished his eligibility in 2006, also participated in the qualifying singles of the RCA Championships, but fell in the first round to fellow American Brendan Evans in three sets (6-4, 4-6, 7-5).

Played at the Indianapolis Tennis Center near downtown Indianapolis, the RCA Championships is home to one of 10 stops during the summer hard-court season, all of which are part of the US Open Series that lead up to the US Open held in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., Aug. 28-Sept. 10.

Should Delic move on to the second round, he will be matched against two-time RCA Champion Roddick, who received a first-round bye.