Fresno State Athletics
Bulldog Great Luczak Headed to US Open
8/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Aug. 29, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State men's tennis career wins leader, Peter Luczak will make his third appearance at the US Open main draw, when he faces No. 30 Viktor Troicki on Tuesday at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Queens, N.Y.
The 78th-ranked Luczak received his third invite by winning two qualifying matches against Ivan Dodig of Croatia, 6-2, 6-4, and Carlos Salamanca of Columbia, 7-6 (9-7), 6-2. Although Luczak lost his third qualifying match to Michael Yani, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), he earned the alternate position and was entered in the main draw when one of the other qualifiers wasn't able to compete.
Since turning professional in 2000, this will be Luzcak's 12th major and third trip to the US Open. He is looking to advance to the second round for the first time in his career.
Troicki, Luczack's first opponent, is a 23-year-old right-hander from Belgrade, Serbia, who has wins over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Andy Roddick during his three years as a pro. It will be his third appearance at the US Open, as well. In 2008 he advanced to the Round of 32 before being defeated by then-No. 1 Rafael Nadal, 6-4, 6-3, 6-0.
Luczak, who was born in Warsaw, Poland, and now resides in Melbourne, Australia, competed for the Bulldogs from 1998-01. During his college career he compiled a school record 109 singles wins and earned All-American honors. In 1999, he helped the Bulldogs win their last WAC Championship and advance to the NCAA Sweet 16.
"We Are Your Team" - The Bulldogs are gearing up to open their season on Sept. 25 at the Waves Invitational in Malibu, Calif.. For all the up to date information on Fresno State men's tennis stay logged on to gobulldogs.com.
