Budic Goes Undefeated at Finemark FGCU Collegiate Open

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. – Led by junior Vuk Budic, the Illinois men's tennis team competed against some of the best teams from the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and the American at the Finemark FGCU Collegiate Open this past weekend. Budic went undefeated in singles play, going 3-for-3 overall.

"In singles, I felt confident in my game plan and had the ability to outlast opponents on a physically challenging surface," said Budic. "All of the strength and conditioning we have been doing is contributing to this success."

The Illini opened the weekend against Memphis. After dropping the first set, Budic battled back to win the tie break in the second set, defeating Jan Pallares of Memphis 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4. Picking up a doubles win, sophomore Fletcher Scott paired with FGCU's Feliksas Sakalauskas to defeat Memphis duo Jeremy Taylor and Marshall Sullivan, 6-4.

On Saturday, the Orange and Blue played against host team FGCU. Budic grabbed his second win of the tournament, winning two straight sets against FGCU's Juan Montes, 7-6, 6-1. Concluding the tournament on Sunday, Budic defeated Kevin Huempfner of Kentucky, 7-5, 6-1 for his third win of the weekend.

"Vuk Budic going undefeated was great, said associate head coach Marcos Asse. You want to say it just clicked, but you have to attribute it to great work ethic. For his whole life, Vuk Budic has embodied the meaning of hard work."

Last season, Budic went undefeated in Big Ten singles play and helped the Illini clinch their win over Big Ten opponent, Iowa.

"The more opportunities we get to compete and improve, the better we will be when dual matches start in the spring," noted Budic.

The Illini will head back to the Sunshine State on Friday for the Dick Vitale Invitational in Lakewood Ranch, Fla.

"This tournament continued to solidify the role players for us," noted Asse. To think Vuk Budic will not have a role for us this year is crazy. Anytime someone on the team does well, it just pushes everyone else to do better."

Finemark FGCU Collegiate Open – Results
Oct 26-28, 2018 at Bonita Bay Club

Friday, Oct. 26, 2018 – Illinois / Louisville vs. Memphis
Doubles          

Scott / Feliksas Sakalauskas (FGCU) def. Jeremy Taylor / Marshall Sullivan (Memphis) 6-4

Budic / Gomes fell to Jan Pallares / Patrick Sydow (Memphis) 3-6

Singles            

Budic def. Jan Pallares (Memphis) 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4

Gomes fell to Jeremy Taylor (Memphis) 6-7(4), 5-7

Scott fell to David Stevenson (Memphis) 5-7, 7-6(6), 5-7

Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018 – Illinois / Louisville vs. FGCU

Doubles          

Budic / Gomes fell to Felipe Ramirez / Feliksas Sakalauskas (FGCU) 1-6
 
Singles           

Budic def. Juan Montes (FGCU) 7-6, 6-1 

Gomes fell to Marcello Tebet (FGCU) 3-6, 2-6 

Scott vs. Ezequiel Cerrini (FGCU) DNP 

Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018 – Illinois / Louisville vs. Arkansas / Kentucky         

Doubles             

Budic / Gomes fell to Adam Sanjuro / Enrique Paya (Arkansas) 1-6

Singles             

Budic def. Kevin Huempfner (Kentucky) 7-5, 6-1

Gomes fell to Fabian Penzkofer (Kentucky) 4-6, 4-6 

Scott vs. Arthur Chen (Kentucky) DNP 

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