WAIPIO, Oahu – University of Hawaii's men's tennis player Dennis Lajola fell to Pierre-Ludovic Duclos of Canada, 6-2, 6-2 in the first round qualifiers of the Honolulu Challenger, a USTA Pro Circuit event Sunday at the Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park Tennis Complex. 

 

Lajola, the 2007 Honolulu Futures champion and a junior for the Rainbow Warriors, was competing as an amateur in the inaugural event which features world-class professional tennis players ranked in the Top 200 as well as local and former collegiate players.  The native of `Aiea, O`ahu lost in straight sets to Duclos, currently ranked No. 349 in the world. UH volunteer coach Ikaika Jobe was also in action during first round qualifiers Sunday and fell 6-4, 7-6 (5) to Joel Lindner of Australia.

 

UH will have another representative in the tournament when sophomore Leo Rosenberg takes to the court later this week. Rosenberg earned a wild card berth after capturing the Honolulu Masters last October. Rosenberg will face German native and former Hawaii Pacific University player, Hendrik Bode, also a wild card entry, in the first round of the main draw on Tuesday, Jan. 26.