WAPIO, O'ahu – University of Hawai'i men's tennis player Dennis Lajola's run in the Honolulu Challenger, a USTA Pro Circuit Challenger event, came to a close with a tight three-set loss to Jesse Witten in the round of 16 Thursday at the Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park.

 

The No. 8 seed Witten rallied past Lajola, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) to advance to the tournament quarterfinals. Lajola won the first set over Witten and led 4-2 and 5-3 in the second and third sets respectively, however, could not close out the win. Witten is ranked No. 224 in the latest ATP rankings.

 

Lajola, a senior from 'Aiea, O'ahu earned a wild card entry into the tournament by winning the Hawaii Master's Open last October and advanced to the round of 16 following a straight set win over Pablo Martin-Adalia of Spain on Tuesday.

 

Lajola will now join the rest of his teammates in Austin, Texas, where they will compete in the ITA Kickoff Weekend, Jan. 29-30.