Orlando, Fla. – Aleks Kovacevic and Siphosothando Montsi advanced to the NCAA Singles Championship round of 16 on Monday afternoon after winning their respective matches. Kovacevic and Montsi qualify for All-American honors by advancing.

"I'm super excited for Kova and Siphs to be moving on," said head coach Brad Dancer. "They both played with great intent today. I was impressed with how each of them managed the flow of their matches. Looking forward to the challenges that tomorrow pose for each of them."

Montsi upset 9-16 Finn Reynolds from Ole Miss, 6-4, 7-6(4) in the morning for Illinois. He will face No. 6 Sam Riffice, Florida. The two played each other during the team championship but went unfinished.

"I just went out there and took care of business," said Montsi. "That's what I try to do every day. I don't look at rankings and stuff like that, I just see another player on the other side of the net and with my game and the level I'm playing at now I always feel like I'm playing against myself. So I just try to keep myself in the most ideal mental space during matches."

Aleks Kovacevic later soundly  defeated Eliot Spizzirri from Texas 6-1,6-3. He moves on to face Alexis Galarneau of NC State in the round of 16.

"I played a really good match today and feel like I'm getting better with every match even though it's still early in the tournament, but important to feel that way as the competition only rises from here," said Kovacevic.

Senior Zeke Clark lost to Adam Walton from Tennessee this afternoon, finishing his career as an Illini.

"Disappointing for Zeke as so many people wanted to see him get that accolade and he showed progress from where's he been," said Dancer. "But as I just spoke with him about, his legacy at Illinois is secure and it's been an absolute honor to coach him."