Aug. 27, 2009

NEW YORK - Former Illini Rajeev Ram will compete in the singles main draw of the 2009 U.S. Open, which takes place Aug. 31- Sept. 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. Currently ranked No. 117, Ram originally received a wild card into the tournament, but was later awarded a spot in the main draw based on his own ranking. It will be his third career U.S. Open appearance and the first since 2005.

The Carmel, Ind., resident will be the lone Illini at the tournament, as fellow former Orange and Blue teammates Ryler DeHeart and Kevin Anderson both fell in the first round of the qualifying draw earlier this week.

Ram, currently ranked No. 117, concluded singles action at the Pilot Pen tennis tournament in New Haven, Conn., defeating Nicolas Lapentti (ECU), 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (3) and fifth-seeded Mardy Fish (USA), 6-3, 6-3, before falling in the third round to Florent Serra (FRA), 4-6, 7-6 (6), 7-5. In doubles play, Ram and partner David Martin (USA) will face Paul Hanley (AUS) and Jordan Kerr (AUS) in the first round later today.

For more information on the U.S. Open click HERE.