HONOLULU – Former University of Hawai'i mens tennis player Dennis Lajola qualified for his first ATP World Event on Monday, winning the singles qualifying round for a berth in the 2012 SAP Open main draw. The event is being held at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
 
Lajola will be competing among the likes of Gael Monfils who holds a world ranking of No.13, and Grand Slam champion and 19th-ranked Andy Roddick. At stake is a purse of $531,000 and 250 points toward potential berths to Grand Slam events.
 
The former Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year was a virtual unknown heading into the qualifying draw, but went on to defeat No.1seed and fellow American Rajiv Ram 6-4, 7-6. He followed that breakthrough victory with another straight set win (6-4, 6-4) on center court over Yuki Bhambri, spring boarding him into the main draw.
 
Lajola, who celebrated his 23rd birthday on Sunday, takes the court Tuesday, Feb.13 for first round action against Bulgaria's Dimitar Kutrovsky. Start time is set for 9:30 a.m. PT. Fans can catch the action live online at the official SAP Open website.
 
The SAP Open is one of 62 tournaments in 32 countries on six continents on the ATP World Tour. The ATP World Tour garners 1.8 billion television viewers and 3.5 million people who annually attend ATP World Tour events. San Jose is the first American stop on the ATP World Tour.




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