IRVINE, Calif. - University of Illinois men's tennis alum Dennis Nevolo (@dnevolo1) recovered from dropping a 36 point tiebreaker in the first set to defeat [7] Alex Sarkissian 6-7(17), 7-5, 6-3 to earn the second USTA Pro Circuit Futures singles title of his career at the Irvine Futures.

Nevolo's victory Sunday marks the second professional singles title he has garnered in the last three weeks. His first professional singles title came on Sept. 14, at the Claremont USTA Pro Circuit Classic. It also continues a streak of three straight weeks of professional titles for the Illini, as senior Farris Gosea earned his first professional title at the Mayfair Men's Futures in Canada on Sept. 21.

Nevolo entered at the No. 2 seed in the main draw and moved through the first two rounds with ease, defeating Oscar Fabian Matthews (USA) 6-1, 6-1 in the first round and Lucas Gomez (MEX) 6-2, 6-2 in the second round. The Gurnee, Illinois native, would then defeat [8] Kyle McMorrow 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2 to reach the semifinals were he took down [6] Greg Jones 7-6(5), 6-2.

"Following Dennis' score line and knowing the quality of his opponent, this was a tremendous victory for Dennis," head coach Brad Dancer said. "He continues to prepare himself better and become more professional and now we are seeing the results of his preparation. I could not be more proud of him."

Nevolo was a two-time All-American at Illinois and the second Illini in program history to earn All-Big Ten honors in each of his four seasons. The 2012 alum wrapped his career in the Orange and Blue tied for sixth in career singles victories (116) and combined wins (211).