Jan. 18, 2011

PARK RIDGE, Ill. - Illinois senior Johnny Hamui was named Big Ten Athlete of the Week announced Tuesday by the conference office. The Wesley Chapel, Fla., native finished 3-0 in singles at the Illini Open this past weekend in Sarasota, Fla., highlighted by a victory over 37th-ranked Clint Bowles of Florida State, 6-4, 6-2. It is the first such honor for Hamui and first for the Illini this season.

Hamui, ranked No. 111 in the first national rankings of 2011, did not drop a set all weekend in defeats of Bowles, Blake Davis (Florida State), 6-3, 6-4, and Rafael Garcia (Texas Tech), 6-2, 6-2. He also teamed up with junior Dennis Nevolo to defeat Bowles and Davis, 8-2, for his fourth doubles win of the year.

Illinois opens its dual season at No. 1 Virginia on Friday, Jan. 21 at 5 p.m. CT.