Acceptance List Released

With the 2009 JSM Challenger less than three weeks away, the USTA has released the player acceptance list. This year's field will feature five players currently ranked in the top 100 in the world. Robert Kendrick holds the strongest ranking of any player in the field at No. 80. Other top 100 players set to compete in the 2009 JSM Challenger include Michael Russell (85), Kevin Kim (87), Jesse Levine (94), and Rajeev Ram (97, pictured).

in addition to Ram who is a three-time JSM Challenger Doubles Champion, the acceptance list features two other former Illini: Kevin Anderson and Ryler DeHeart. Anderson is the defending JSM Challenger Singles Champion. DeHeart is hoping to play on his home courts for the first time since facing Rafael Nadal at the 2008 US Open. All three former Illini are excited to compete on familiar courts and in front of loyal supporters of the orange and blue.

Other notable participants include Taylor Dent, Bobby Reynolds, and Jesse Witten. Dent is continuing his comeback from a serious back injury. At last year's JSM Challenger, Taylor earned his first match victory on tour since 2006. Reynolds is a fan favorite in Champaign-Urbana and, with Ram, is the defending Doubles Champion. Witten, a standout at the University of Kentucky, is coming off a strong showing at the 2009 US Open where he qualified and defeated Igor Andreev and Maximo Gonzales before losing to Novak Djokovic in four sets.