Illinois Fighting Illini

[ClarkC]

Originally Posted by BRucks

How is the prize money handled for the amateurs?

Amateurs can accept prize money up to the amount of their tourney expenses (travel, strings, etc.) They have to document all of this to the NCAA if challenged or requested.

[Satsuma Illini]

Hiltzik was tweeting that he made it thru a wildcard tournament and will be entering his first pro tourney. Not sure which one though.

[Satsuma Illini]

Love this photo taken by Cary Frye, Illini photographer.

[floridatennisdude]

Originally Posted by ClarkC

Amateurs can accept prize money up to the amount of their tourney expenses (travel, strings, etc.) They have to document all of this to the NCAA if challenged or requested.

I don't follow it too closely, but I had heard that NCAA players prize money goes into a pool and they get reimbursed an allotment out of the pool. Is that the case?

[Satsuma Illini]

Bezerker found the info but four Illini were involved in a USTA event this week. Bruno Abdelnour, Farris Gosea, Blake Bazarnik and Alexander Jesse were seeded # 1, #2, #5, #7 respectively. Gosea knocked out Jesse in the quarters and Blake lost in the quarters as well. In the final, Gosea upset Abdelnour to win the event. Gosea also teamed with Abdelnour in the doubles and took that title as well. Not sure why, but Bazarnik and Jesse were teamed in the doubles but forfeited their 1st round match.

STL-Edwardsville Open

[Satsuma Illini]

For those still wondering, Connor Clements committed to Lindsey Wilson College (NAIA) on June 20th.

[Satsuma Illini]

Rajeev Ram admiring Wimbledon Centre Court, winner's lists and trophies.

Ram at Wimbledon

[Satsuma Illini]

Added a page for videos of the Illini on the ATP Tour. Found Kevin Anderson's Delray Beach Championship match in its entirety so take a look if you're interested.

Illini Pro Videos

[BRucks]

Originally Posted by Satsuma Illini

For those still wondering, Connor Clements committed to Lindsey Wilson College (NAIA) on June 20th.

Ok, why does the #21 player in the country go to Lindsey Wilson? Religion? Grades? This team is nearly entirely foreign.

[Satsuma Illini]

Originally Posted by BRucks

Ok, why does the #21 player in the country go to Lindsey Wilson? Religion? Grades? This team is nearly entirely foreign.

I heard it was grades. He is maybe planning to transfer before his second year to South Carolina maybe.

[Satsuma Illini]

The singles draw has been announced for Wimbledon! Anderson in a very interesting position and a very good chance to go deep. Ram is also in the doubles draw.

Wimby Draw

[Satsuma Illini]

Six Illini playing in Innisbrook Futures qualifying.

Update: DeHeart, Nevolo, Hoh, Hiltzik, Page and Jesse all win 1st round of qualifying.

Illini in Innisbrook

[Satsuma Illini]

Two former Illini and one future Illini still left in the Innisbrook Qualifying after two rounds.

Illini in Innisbrook

Also, Farris Gosea and Blake Bazarnik are playing in the USTA Simpson Open in St. Louis. Gosea is the 2nd seed and Bazarnik is seeded 3rd.

STL-Bud Simpson Open

[Satsuma Illini]

The Innisbrook Futures event was washed out today, but in the STL-Bud Simpson Open, Gosea defeated Bazarnik in the final.

Tournament Results

[ClarkC]

Originally Posted by Satsuma Illini

The Innisbrook Futures event was washed out today, but in the STL-Bud Simpson Open, Gosea defeated Bazarnik in the final.

Tournament Results

I wonder if that is good news or bad news. Gosea is a decent #6, but there are high hopes for Bazarnik, and he only took four games off Gosea. Is that good news that Gosea is getting better, bad news about Bazarnik, is Bazarnik recovering from something and not really in form, or what?

As with all pre-season questions, the answer is usually "wait and see."

[Satsuma Illini]

Originally Posted by ClarkC

I wonder if that is good news of bad news. Gosea is a decent #6, but there are high hopes for Bazarnik, and he only took four games off Gosea. Is that good news that Gosea is getting better, bad news about Bazarnik, is Bazarnik recovering from something and not really in form, or what?

As with all pre-season questions, the answer is usually "wait and see."

That's what I thought. I was expecting maybe Bazarnik to take this match but surprised to see him go down so easily. Hard to predict what kind of year it is going to be for him. Hoping that Dancer and staff will have him much improved by the end of his junior year.

[bezerker]

With that win Farris Gosea gets a wild card into the main draw of the Godfrey futures next month.

[tball2day]

.........................

[bluetrain4]

Satsumu, what is up with the Khan (Atkins) courts and the visible, considerably-more-than-normal slope? It's just bizarre.

I played two USTA league matches there today, and especially on the middle two of the sets of six courts, I could tell I was moving slightly up hill when going from side to side.

Most courts are very slightly sloped or bowed for drainage, but this just seems so extreme. It's not a deal breaker by any means. It's a great complex, great courts in terms of surface and everything else but it would be even better with a normal slope.

And, while I thought they would have built a more substantial grandstand if they planned on hosting NCAAs, the individual seats on the concrete foundation behind each court is very nice. Though, I'd hope that they place awnings over them for the tournament.

[ClarkC]

Originally Posted by tball2day

Or that they are both just ok and it wasn't such a high level match? With BB having a 7-22 overall record, curious why are expectations are so high? I think form is what it has been....

Bazarnik played #3 position in a very tough conference, while Gosea played #6 in a lesser conference. If Gosea had played #3 in the SEC, I don't think his record would have been very good. Bazarnik was higher ranked in juniors than Gosea, was the bigger recruit, and is a year older. Losing 1&3 to Gosea is a surprise.