Illinois hosted the annual JSM Challenger of Champaign-Urbana last week, running from Nov. 11-Sunday. Illinois hosted dozens of players from around the world in Urbana as part of the Association of Tennis Professionals Challenger Tour.

Illini junior Alex Brown defeated Máté Valkusz of Hungary in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4. Brown moved on to face Blaž Rola of Slovenia, the 2012 NCAA doubles champion and 2013 singles champion out of Ohio State. Brown defeated him in three sets,  6-7 (6), 6-3, 6-4. Brown continued into the round of 16, where he defeated American JC Aragone in straight sets, 7-6 (5), 6-3. Brown extended his streak to the quarterfinals, where he defeated Argentinian Juan Pablo Ficovich in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3.

However, Brown’s run stopped with American Sebastian Korda in the semi-finals, where he fell in two sets, 6-2, 6-2.

Illinois senior Aleks Kovacevic also competed in the singles event, facing Evan Hoyt of Wales, and defeated him, 6-4, 6-2. However, Kovacevic’s run ended in the next round against Argentinian Juan Pablo Ficovich in the Round of 32, falling in two sets, 7-6 (6), 6-1. Kovacevic’s loss was avenged by Brown, with Brown defeating Ficovich in the quarterfinals.

Senior Zeke Clark also participated in the event and faced American Martin Redlicki in a qualifying match. Clark eventually fell in two sets, 6-3, 6-2.

The Illini also competed in the doubles’ main event. Clark was paired up with senior Vuk Budic, and Kovacevic was paired with Brown. Clark and Budic played first, facing the American duo of Strong Kirchmeier and Austin Rapp, but fell in two sets, 6-3, 6-3.

Kovacevic and Brown faced two international players in the first round, Michael Geerts of Belgium and Blaž Kavčič of Slovenia, and won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. Following the victory, the Illini moved on to the quarterfinals, where the duo faced Hoyt, paired with Martin Redlicki of the U.S. The Illinois pair eventually fell to the duo in two sets, 7-6 (4), 6-3.

With the JSM Challenger concluding Sunday, the Illini’s fall season came to a close. Illinois will continue to participate in non-scheduled events  to stay in shape.

Kovacevic is preparing to travel to France for the Master’U BNP Paribas Collegiate Tournament in late November and early December. Kovacevic will travel with two other men’s tennis players and three women’s players to represent Team USA at the meet. The team, meanwhile, will not officially play again until it travels to Georgia Tech in late January for the MLK Invitational in Atlanta.

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