URBANA, Ill. - 2012 University of Illinois alum Dennis Nevolo picked up an ITF Men's Circuit doubles championship this past week when he earned the title alongside Jean-Yves Aubone at the City of Brownsville Pro Tennis Classic. Nevolo squared off against another former Illini in Ruben Gonzales in the championship match.
"This was a win/win situation for Illini Tennis," explained associate coach Marcos Asse. "With both Ruben and Dennis in the finals, it made it easier to check the result, knowing that an Illini would capture the title one way or another. It's great to see the two of them having success early in the year."
Nevolo/Aubone knocked off the fourth seeded team of Yong-Kyu Lim and Ji Sung Nam 4-6, 6-4 [14-12] to reach the Brownsville title game. Then the duo emerged victorious over Gonzales' three seeded team with partner Chris Letcher 6-3, 6-7(7) [10-6]. Ironically, Nevolo and Gonzales teamed together at the JSM Challenger in November at Atkins Tennis Center and reached the semifinals.
Nevolo was a two-time All-American at Illinois who finished his career sixth in singles victories (116) and combined wins (211), and reached a career high No. 2 national singles ranking along the way.
Meanwhile, Gonzales graduated in 2008 and was nicknamed the spirit of Illinois tennis. In addition, Gonzales was a four-time ITA scholar athlete and was named All-Big Ten in the 2007-08 season
The result comes after Kevin Anderson made history when he became the first former Illini to reach the round of 16 at a grand slam event (Australian Open). Not to mention, Anderson was coached by alum GD Jones.
