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Pusztai competes in pro tournament

Michigan singles player Peter Pusztai is currently ranked No. 22 in collegiate tennis. Last Tuesday, he took on the world.

The No. 220 player in the world, to be exact.

Pusztai, an Ann Arbor native, competed in the USTA Challenger tournament at the Sports Club of West Bloomfield on Tuesday, receiving a wild-card bid into the tournament draw. Four wild-card bids were available out of a 32-player field.

The event, featuring Aaron Krickstein, Bryan Shelton, Jonathan Stark and No. 123 Gianluca Pozzi, matched Pusztai against the No. 220 player in the world, Paul Kilderry. The winner of the match advanced to second round action against Sargis Sargsian of Armenia. Sargsian, who was not seeded, upset fifth-seeded Bryan Shelton in the opening round, 7-6 (7-4), 6-0.

Kilderry defeated Pusztai in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, in the first round of the tournament.

"It was kind of overwhelming at first," Pusztai said. "I couldn't focus at times."

Even though the tournament is USTA sanctioned and the field is dominated by pro tour players, Pusztai entered the draw as an amateur to retain his college eligibility. This allows Pusztai to earn points toward a world ranking, while still in the collegiate ranks.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for Peter to measure himself against the next level," Michigan coach Brian Eisner said. "He came away with a lot of positives."

Although it was Pusztai's first match against a professional opponent, he played well enough to stay close for much of the two sets. At one point in the second set, he broke Kilderry's serve and led the set.

"It was a big step up for me," Pusztai said. "I didn't play extremely well, but it was still a good experience."

The tournament included players from around the world, including 16 from the United States. Eight players earned seeds, and Pozzi of Italy gained the top spot.

For his efforts, Pusztai gained one point toward a world ranking.

"Peter didn't play his best tennis (against Kilderry), and the match was still close," Eisner said. "If (Pusztai) was on top of his game, it could have gone either way."

On the collegiate level, Pusztai leads the Wolverines at No. 1 singles and teams with senior John Costanzo at first doubles.

His 30-10 record is one win from his career high 31 victories he recorded in 1993-94.

Pusztai has responded to his role as co-captain this season with nine- and four-match winning streaks.

He is currently riding a four-match winning streak heading into the Big Ten matches this weekend. For now, the professional tennis circuit is on hold for Pusztai. His experience in the Challenger tourney will take a back seat to Big Ten competition until the season ends.

"Most people don't get past the first level toward professional competition," Pusztai said. "So I was happy to get a chance to compete."