CHICAGO - Sixth-seeded Illinois outlasted No. 9 Oklahoma State 4-2 Friday in first round play at the USTA/ITA National Men's Team Indoor Championships at the Midtown Tennis Club.

Illinois (7-1) continued its string of success at this event, having now advanced to at least the quarterfinals six straight years and nine times since 1997. UI won the doubles point against Oklahoma State and got wins in singles from Ryan Rowe, Kevin Anderson, and Ruben Gonzales. UI held off a late Cowboy comback bid when Gonzales clinched the match in dramatic fashion, outlasting Dmytro Petrov, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (5). Brothers Daniel and Nathan Byrnes provided Oklahoma State's two wins in singles tonight.
 
This was UI's fifth win over a top-20 team this season. Oklahoma State (4-1) was looking to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2001. UI improves to 27-10 overall at the Team Indoors in 11 all-time appearances. It won the title in 2003 and 2004 (and reached the final on three other occasions).