July 2, 2000

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

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

Smith and partner Michael Joyce, who were 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, including downing college tennis' current top-ranked doubles team of Alex Kim and Geoff Abrams of Stanford, 6-2, 6-1, in Friday's quarterfinals.