Lester Cook loses close match at U.S. Open Qualifying
Aug 28, 2010 | Men's Tennis
Aug. 28, 2010
NEW YORK - Former Texas A&M tennis star Lester Cook, a three-year Aggie letterman (2002-04), was defeated in an extremely close match in the first round of the U.S. Open qualifying tournament held in New York on Thursday, Aug. 26.
Cook faced Harel Levy from Israel, who is competing in his fourth U.S. Open, and Levy outlasted Cook, 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-2.
"We're very proud of Lester and for reaching the U.S. Open qualifying tournament," Aggie head coach Steve Denton said. "He had a great first set and could not close it out in the second. But reaching this point is a great accomplishment in his first appearance at the U.S. Open."
Cook helped lead the Aggies to three straight Sweet 16 appearances in the NCAA Championships under the guidance of former head coach Tim Cass. In the 2003 championships, Vanderbilt beat A&M, 4-1, with Cook winning the only match. And again in 2004, the team would drop a 4-1 decision to UCLA and Cook would once again win his match. In NCAA singles competition, Cook would advance to the round of 32 in both 2003 and 2004.
