Oct. 15, 2007

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Denes Lukacs notched his fourth straight singles victory to claim the championship of the Fluitt Invitational at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex in Lexington, Ky., on Monday morning.

Lukacs, a sophomore and currently ranked No. 78, registered a straight-sets victory over 44th-ranked Bruno Agostinelli of Kentucky, 7-6 (5), 7-5. Both players held serve throughout the first set but in the tiebreaker Lukacs took a 2-0 lead which he never relinquished.

By winning the tournament, which featured 13 ranked players among the 20-player field, the Eger, Hungary, native, earned spot in 2008 ATP Masters Series qualifying draw in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati event ranks just behind the four major grand slams of the tennis season in prestige and the quality of players represented. As part of the ATP Masters Series, the tournament is mandatory for players ranked high enough to enter, creating an outstanding field. With the world's top men automatically entered into the main draw, some of the best players in the world will play in the qualifying tournament which begins on July 26, 2008.

With the victory, Lukacs raised his fall record to a team-best 10-2 and notched his sixth win over a ranked opponent in eight matches. In fact, in his last six matches, he has knocked off three players ranked 44th or higher: No. 9 Ryan Rowe (Illinois), No. 38 Clancy Shields (Boise State) and No. 44 Agostinelli.

"These were some great results for Denes this weekend. When an opportunity presents itself to play in an ATP event, you have to take advantage of it and Denes did. He served well in the early part today's the match and won the first set and then got up a break early in the second and took it home," said head coach Matt Knoll.

Next up for the Bears is the Wilson/ITA South Central Regional Championships, Oct. 20-23, in Austin, Texas.