July 18, 2006

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Former Illinois and 2003 NCAA Outdoor singles champion Amer Delic could not fire past Paraguay's Ramon Delgado in the opening round of the RCA Championships in Indianapolis, Ind., in the evening session on Monday, July 7. Despite a valiant effort in the US Open Series' opening event, Delic fell 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(5), after taking a quick one-set lead in the match.

Also making an appearance at the event were current Illini juniors Kevin Anderson and Ruben Gonzales. Anderson and Gonzales both received wild cards and participated in the qualifying event prior to the start of the championships, but fell in the opening round.

Anderson, who took on the No. 4-seed in qualifying Andrea Stoppini, forced the Italian to three sets after recording a 6-4 opening-set victory before Stoppini evened the match, 6-3, in the second. Anderson, however, could not hold off Stoppini in the final set, falling 6-1.

Gonzales, who took on the No. 7-seed in qualifying Wesley Whitehouse, fell in straight sets to the South African qualifier 6-2, 6-4.