Last updated on Nov. 20, 2025 at 08:30 p.m.
Illinois hosted the ATP Champaign Challenger from Nov. 9-16 at the Atkins Tennis Center. This was the second event hosted by the Illini this season, following the UTR PTT Champaign event back in October.
Senior Kenta Miyoshi, junior Jeremy Zhang and freshmen Adam Jilly and Sasha Colleu represented Illinois at the Challenger. Ultimately, Miyoshi advanced to the semifinals in singles play. Even with tough competition, Zhang and Jilly still walked away with wins.
Senior skill
Miyoshi’s skill and experience catapulted him to success. The senior’s route to the semifinals saw a pair of two-set victories, each against foes who knocked out other Illini.
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In the semifinal, Miyoshi faced Murphy Cassone. Miyoshi’s push for glory came short as the senior fell in a three-set 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 loss. Even with the loss, Miyoshi advanced the furthest of the four Illini.
Zhang saw early success with two straight two-set wins to catapult him into the round of 32.
The junior first squared off against Enzo Wallart. Here, Zhang showcased his quick skills, defeating Wallart 6-4, 6-3 to move onto the next round.
Zhang earned another two-set win against a familiar face, former Oregon Duck Quinn Vandecasteele, who knocked Miyoshi out of the Solana Challenger in October.
Zhang’s run came to an end in the next round, where he suffered a close defeat at the hands of Aidan McHugh.
Jilly secured a two-set win in the round of 32 over Keegan Smith. The freshman dispatched Smith in a swift 6-4, 6-3 outing. Alex Martinez eliminated Jilly in the next round. Jilly’s two-set win was flipped upside down as he suffered a two-set 6-3, 6-3 loss to Martinez.
Colleu’s time at the event was short, as he fell in a three-set tug of war to Michigan State’s Taym Alazmeh, 6-2, 6-7, 6-1.
Doubles trouble
In doubles play, Jilly and Colleu matched up against Miyoshi and former Illini Oliver Okonkwo. The veterans Miyoshi and Okonkwo got the best of the freshman, earning a two-set, 6-2, 7-5 win.
Miyoshi and Okonkwo fell in the next round to Scott Duncan and James Mackinlay. The long battle saw Duncan and Mackinlay take the match in three sets, 6-3, 3-6, 11-9.
Okonkwo wasn’t the only familiar face for Illini fans, as former Illini Mathis Debru played alongside Zhang.
The duo’s first matchup came against Alfredo Perez and Jamie Vance. The Illini duo grabbed a 7-6, 7-6 two-set victory and advanced to the quarterfinals.
Similar to Miyoshi and Okonkwo, they suffered defeat. The Illini lost to eventual champions Shunsuke Mitsui and Patrick Harper. The duo fell after a swift 6-3, 6-2 win by the former Tennessee Volunteers.
Looking ahead
The final competition of the fall season for the Illini is the NCAA Singles Championship in Orlando, Florida, this week. Miyoshi is the lone Illini attending the event, marking his second-straight appearance.
