Ex-UNLV tennis star Smith triumphs in Calif. tourney

Monday, July 3, 2000 | 11:35 a.m.

Former UNLV tennis standout Luke Smith continued his professional comeback Sunday by winning the doubles championship of the Chico (Calif.) Racquet Club USTA Futures Tournament.

Smith, who won the 1997 NCAA singles and doubles titles, is attempting to regain his form after years of physical setbacks and health problems.

Smith and partner Michael Joyce, the top-seeded doubles team, downed fourth-seeded Zack Fleishman and Robert Kendrick, 7-6 (3), 6-7 (3), 6-1, in the main draw of the $15,000 event.

Smith and Joyce did not lose a set in the first three rounds of the tournament, a run that included downing college tennis' current top-ranked doubles team of Alex Kim and Geoff Abrams of Stanford, 6-2, 6-1, in Friday's quarterfinals.

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