WAIPIO, O`ahu – A pair of University of Hawaii men's tennis players will be in action this week when the 2010 Honolulu Challenger, a USTA Pro Circuit event, begins Sunday, Jan. 24. Junior Dennis Lajola and sophomore Leo Rosenberg will compete in the tournament, which runs through Jan. 31 at the Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park Tennis Complex.

 

The tournament features world-class professional tennis players ranked in the Top 200 in the world as well as local and former collegiate players. The qualifying rounds take place on Jan. 24 (start time 9:00 a.m.) and Jan. 25 (start time 10:00 a.m.) The main draw runs Jan. 25 – 31.

 

Lajola, who has competed in numerous USTA events, starts off in qualifying action on Sunday. Rosenberg, meanwhile, is in the main draw after capturing the Honolulu Masters Open last October. It will also be a reunion of sorts for Lajola, Rosenberg and Donald Young, an ATP pro who cracked the top 100 in 2007 and will participate in this year's Challenger. The trio are former Jr. Davis Cup teammates who captured the U14 world championship in 2003.

 

 In addition to Lajola and Rosenberg, UH volunteer coach Ikaika Jobe will compete.