Rajeev Ram did not win his singles match Thursday night, but he was still pleased with his performance at the ninth annual Northwestern Mutual/Wright Financial Group USTA Challenger.

Ram, a former All-American and one of Illinois’ 2003 NCAA doubles champions, lost in three sets to Justin Gimelstob.

Gimelstob topped Ram 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

“He played well on the big points and he deserved to win for sure,” Ram said.

Gimelstob is a former Northwestern Mutual/Wright Financial Group USTA Challenger champion. He won the singles title in 1996.

“(Ram) played a good third set,” said tournament director and Illinois head coach Craig Tiley. “Anytime there’s a third set, anything can happen.”

Ram’s downfall might have occurred early in the second set.

“I had a real opportunity in the first game (of the second set) to take control of the match and didn’t really go after it as well as I should have,” he said.

Ram was not the only Illini to compete in Thursday night’s quarterfinals. Illinois’ 2003 singles champion Amer Delic competed too. Delic took on Janko Tipsarevic. Delic won the match, just like he did the last time he faced Tipsarevic at the U.S. Open.

“It could have been a shorter match, but I won, so I’m not complaining,” Delic said. “I’m glad that I’m actually doing well (at this tournament), but I’m not surprised, these are my home courts.”

Delic is the first current or former Illini to reach the semifinals. Delic will meet Ramon Delgado today.

The men’s former teammates were excited to see them reach the quarterfinals of the event.

Illinois junior Ryler DeHeart, who lost to Gimelstob 6-1, 6-4 on Tuesday night, said the men’s success at the professional level is inspirational.

“It makes me want to go out there and play,” DeHeart said. “It’s nice to see them in this position and I can’t wait until I’m out of college so that I can start playing like this.”

DeHeart attributes some of the men’s success to the fans that have flocked to the Atkins Tennis Center the entire week.

“It’s nice seeing familiar faces in the crowd,” he said. “You look up for some support and encouragement, especially when you’re having a tough match and may be a little stressed out.”

Tiley said the fans have been crucial to the tournament’s success.

“We’ve had the best crowds we’ve had ever before,” he said. “Every year, it seems to run smoother.”

Ram might have needed the crowd’s support and encouragement a little more than Delic. Approximately one hour after his tough, long singles match, he and Brian Baker had to compete in doubles.

“That’s part of the deal; I need to focus in and put what’s in the past in the past,” Ram said after his singles loss. “I have to regroup and, hopefully, do well.”

Ram and Baker faced Travis Rettenmaier and Adam Seri. Rettenmaier and Seri defeated Illinois student assistant Michael Calkins and Delic 6-2, 6-3 earlier this week. Their results were not available at press time. The winner of the doubles match will compete today as well.

The victors will face the winner of the Scott Lipsky/Todd Widom v. Florin Mergea/Tipsarevic match that was scheduled for approximately one hour after the Delic/Tipsarevic singles contest.

“(Delic and Ram’s matches are) great for Illinois tennis,” DeHeart said. “A lot of these (fans) are the same people that will come to our matches.”