Oct. 6, 2011
TULSA, Okla. - Seniors Dennis Nevolo and Roy Kalmanovich each secured two victories over nationally ranked opponents to advance to the round of 16 at the ITA All-American Championships on Thursday, while junior Stephen Hoh also picked up a win for the Orange and Blue.
"It was a really big day for the Illini," head coach Brad Dancer said. "We had to get down and dirty and role around in the mud a little bit, and we came off bruised and battered. But we made it. It was a great testament for some Fighting Illini toughness. Roy and Dennis were both down in their second matches but battled back, and all three Illini won their final match in three sets."
Nevolo, No. 7 in the preseason rankings, got off to a strong start, taking a quick 6-1, 6-1 win over No. 46 Malte Stropp of Mississippi State. The Gurnee, Ill., native struggled a bit in his second match, however, just edging out a 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(3) thriller over his second ranked opponent of the day, No. 40 Adrien Puget.
No. 71 Kalmanovich took down two ranked opponents as well, downing No. 86 Akash Muppidi (Boston College), 6-4, 6-3, before posting an outstanding come-from-behind victory over No. 74 Yannick Maden (Clemson), 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. Meanwhile, Hoh fell to No. 47 Remi Boutillier in his first match of the day but quickly bounced back to complete a dramatic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 comeback against No. 30 Enij Bonin of Denver.
The Illini will return to action tomorrow morning for day two of the All-American Championships main draw. Live scoring is available .
All-American Championships - Illini Results
Main Draw - First Round
#7 Dennis Nevolo (Illinois) def. #46 Malte Stropp (Mississippi State), 6-1, 6-1
#71 Roy Kalmanovich (Illinois) def. #86 Akash Muppidi (Boston College), 6-4, 6-3
#47 Remi Boutillier (Fresno State) def. Stephen Hoh (Illinois), 6-3, 6-4
Main Draw - Second Round
#7 Dennis Nevolo (Illinois) def. #40 Adrien Puget (UCLA), 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(3)
#71 Roy Kalmanovich (Illinois) def. #74 Yannick Maden (Clemson), 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
Consolation Draw
Stephen Hoh (Illinois) def. #30 Enej Bonin (Denver) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3
