Nine Americans Continue Second Day Main Draw, Past and Present Illini Come Through On Day One At the Atkins Center on Nov. 10

CHAMPAIGN, Ill., November 10, 2014 – After day one of the main draw JSM Challenger tournament, 11 Americans remain in the main draw—9 of which play tomorrow on Tuesday November 11. Play begins at the Atkins Tennis Center at 10:00am.

As the qualifying wrapped up today, Noah Rubin, the 2014 Junior Wimbledon champion, was the lone American to earn a qualifying spot into the singles main draw event. Rubin took down Alexander Ritchard of Switzerland 6-1, 7-5. Rubin plays his first round match tomorrow on court 2, third match on not before 12:00pm against of Great Britain.

Today in main draw doubles, one seeded Edward Corrie, the returning 2013 JSM Challenger doubles champion, was upset with partner of Denmark 7-5, 6- 3. The pair lost to Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela of Mexico. Meanwhile, in the finals of doubles qualifying, the duo of Farris Gosea of Great Britain and American Jared Donaldson won their final round match earning a qualifying spot into the main draw. Main draw doubles is to resume Wednesday November 12.

Main draw singles also begun today, putting three players ahead into the second round. This afternoon Blaz Rola of Slovenia had no trouble getting through, as he defeated Laurent Lokoli of France. Later this evening, an Illinois singles combo of former player Rajeev Ram and present player Jared Hiltzik both took wins in straight sets to move onto the second round.

For those that did not begin singles play today, first round main draw will begin tomorrow. Nine Americans will compete to remain in the main draw, two of which will compete against each other; young American Jared Donaldson will take on other American Alex Kuznetsov, as the second match on court two after 10:00am. Kuznetsov also currently sits at 2 on the Australian Open Wild Card Challenge standings list.

Other feature matches of tomorrow include 1 seed Adrian Mannarino of France versus alternate Dimitar Kutrovsky of on court 1 not before 7:30pm. Mannarino currently sits at 51 on the ATP rankings list, as he was the winner of last week’s $50,000 Knoxville Challenger.

For complete tournament information, please visit www.illinoischallenger.com. For complete Australian Open Wild Card Challenge standings, please visit, http://www.usta.com/Pro-Tennis/Pro- Circuit/2015_australian_open_wild_card_challenge_standings/