Jan. 19, 2009

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - 2003 NCAA Champion and former Illini Amer Delic downed fellow American Taylor Dent in a grueling five-set match in the first round of the Australian Open, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Former Illini Kevin Anderson, who joined Delic in the main draw of the Open did not have the same success, falling in a tight four-set match to Croatia's Marin Cilic, 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-3.

Delic was one of three American men to win on the opening day alongside U.S. No. 1 Andy Roddick and 23rd-seeded Mardy Fish. The former Illini, currently ranked No. 127 in the world, enters the second round of a major for the fourth time in his career, having advanced to the second round at Melbourne in 2005 and 2007 and the 2004 US Open. In the second round, Delic will face No. 28-seeded Paul-Henri Mathieu of France.

Delic will be a featured interview during tonight's ESPN coverage of the 2009 Australian Open.

Anderson facing the No.19-seeded Marin Cilic, fell behind early on in first and second sets. However, the former Illini, currently ranked No. 108, battled back to win the third set tiebreaker. In the fourth set, Cilic bounced back taking the match 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-3.

For complete results and scores, visit australianopen.com.