Former Illinois standout Rajeev Ram, who announced he would leave the Illini to pursue a career in professional tennis shortly before the fall season started, returned to Champaign Sunday night.

After a brief trip to the White House Monday, the 19-year-old dominated his first round singles opponent at the Northwestern Mutual USTA Challenger Tuesday afternoon.

"It was a lot of fun to play out here again. It was not quite the atmosphere of a college match, but it was a lot of fun," Ram said. "(The best part) was being in a situation that I'm used to, and feeling in tune with the settings and the surroundings."

Ram defeated Hermes Gamonal 6-3, 6-2.With Ram's singles victory he became the first current or former Illini to advance to the second round of the Challenger.

"It's pretty cool that I was able to advance," Ram said. "I just happened to play well today. It's not anything special that it's me. It had to be someone. I just played really well today."

He will move on to play the tournament's No. 2 seed, Eric Taino, who topped Ram's former teammate, Amer Delic 6-4, 7-6 (5).

"The fact that Amer played him before, doesn't really bother me," Ram said. "If anything it'll help because some of the coaches got to see (Taino)play and I'll get a better scouting report. I get the chance to play the No.2-seed in the tournament, which is a good opportunity for me.

"I'm playing well right now, so now is as good as time as any to play him."

Ram took a short break following his singles win. During Ram's intermission, Illinois senior Brian Wilson lost 6-2, 6-3 to Canada's Simon Larose.

"I don't feel that I played too badly, he just played too well," Wilson said. "He hit big shots and competed well. He was just better today."

Despite the loss, Wilson is anxious about the future.

"I think the one thing that I learned throughout the fall (competing as an amateur in professional tournaments) is how important it is to come in with a good attitude and to keep a positive attitude week in and week out," Wilson said. "There's only one guy that can win the tournament. You just have to come out anxious and eager for the next tournament."

After Wilson wrapped up his singles performance, Ram returned to the same Atkins Tennis Center courts, where he went undefeated during his short stint as an Illini. There he and Brian Baker took on Delic and former Vanderbilt star Bobby Reynolds.

"It's a good sign when you see your teammates playing against each other because that means they're getting into bigger tournaments," said Illinois senior Michael Calkins. "It shows that their ranking is getting higher and they're doing better. It's a win-win situation because no matter who wins, someone advances."

Ram and Baker defeated Reynolds and Delic 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-3.

"It was tough playing against two friends — one who was a teammate of mine," Ram said. "But, I had to put it out of my mind and play."

Ram joined Reynolds in several tournaments over the summer. Delic and Reynolds are now training together and elected to play together.

"(Playing two matches today) was fine," Ram said. "It's been a long day, and I was a little tired during the first set and a half, but after that I was okay."

Ram is slated to continue singles play tonight at 6:30 p.m. Several other Illini are in pursuit of challenger wins this evening as well.

Wilson and Illinois senior Phil Stolt will face the tournament's No. 1 doubles duo of Diego Ayala and Jeff Morrison after Ram's match tonight.

"(Wilson and I) know we've had some successful times together," Stolt said. "If we do the right things, we're capable of playing well together. We've had a good amount of time where we haven't played with each other, so it'll almost be like a fresh start."

Stolt wrapped up singles play on Saturday when he fell to Jan Mertl. The senior, who is still recovering from back surgery in August, took two much-needed days off from competition.

"(Having a couple days off) has been big because my first matches back were Saturday, and I wasn't doing well on Sunday," Stolt said. "If I had to play right away on Monday it would have been tougher for me, and I might not even have played at all, but the days off are going to be key to helping me play at a high level (today)."

Despite Stolt's injury and the duo's tough draw, the tandem is confident they will succeed, especially since they are familiar with each other's playing styles. Stolt and Wilson played together during their sophomore years and on the junior level.

"We know each other better (than other doubles teams)," Wilson said. "We know how to pump each other up. It's a lot more fun, so it's a definite advantage."

Calkins and junior Chris Martin, the Illini's premier fall doubles team, are also looking for a win in their first competition together since the Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Indoor tournament, where the duo fell to Old Dominion's Zoltan Csanadi and Izak van der Merwe.

"Chris and I know that if we play well, we can win," Calkins said. "It's a matter of executing and stringing points together, then we can win."

Despite their motivation, the men have their work cut out for them. They face No. 3 seed Josh Goffi and Tripp Phillips at 6 p.m. tonight.

"You gotta beat the best to be the best, so I'm not worried about who we play," Martin said. "I'm only worried about whether we're going to execute."

Calkins, Stolt and Wilson each have an extra incentive for playing well. This is each players last challenger as an Illinois athlete. However, each Illini plans to return after graduation.

"It won't be my last time playing in this tournament," Stolt said. "I'm just going to come out and try to have the best time that I can with (the tournament) and enjoy the opportunity."

The home court advantage will help each of the men, but Wilson, a San Diego native, will also have his parents watching.

"It's good to have (my parents) around," Wilson said. "My family helped start me out in tennis. I like them to see that the hard work is paying off and that the support they're giving me is paying off."