Stefan Dostanic’s first professional singles title on the ITF World Tennis Tour on Sunday came with an added bonus – a place in the qualifying event at Indian Wells next March.

The 21-year-old American defeated Andre Ilagan 6-7(1) 6-2 7-5 to win a milestone maiden ITF crown at M15 Lakewood in California and as a result cemented his position at the top of the ‘Race to Indian Wells’ – an USTA initiative that rewards the top performer in seven consecutive ITF tournaments in Southern California.

Dostanic, who also reached a semi-final and a quarter-final at three of his last four ITF singles events in California, narrowly pipped 17-year-old Learner Tien to the Indian Wells qualifying wild card.

He defeated former junior world No. 4 Tien 6-4 5-7 7-6(7) in the semi-finals on Saturday, and would have conceded the wild card to Tien had he not gone on to win the title.

“I won two really tough matches yesterday and today so that really boosted my confidence for when I’m caught in tight moments,” Dostanic said. “I’m so thrilled that the USTA SoCal Section decided to give us the opportunity to play at Indian Wells and I couldn’t be more thankful.”

Earning Indian Wells Wild Cards 🎟️

Congratulations to Haley Giavara (Cal) and Stefan Dostanic (USC) on earning Indian Wells Wild Cards through the USTA SoCal Pro Series!

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📸 Courtesy of Jon Mulvey#WeAreCollegeTennis | #PathwayToThePros pic.twitter.com/xJLyrnDEFe

— ITA (@ITA_Tennis) July 17, 2023

 

Haley Giavara, 22, won the women’s race to Indian Wells after winning her first ITF singles title at W15 Irvine at the turn of the month, before finishing runner-up at W15 Lakewood this weekend.

Discover all the latest title winners on the ITF World Tennis Tour here