Yew Ming Si, a former member of the Illinois State mens tennis team, won his first Davis Cup match in Malaysias 4-1 loss to Pakistan. Despite his teams loss, Si defeated Asim Shafik of Pakistan 6-7 (10-12), 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 to earn Malaysias only point.
The native of Ipoh, Malaysia joined the Redbirds in the spring of 2000 after transfering from Cumberland College. In his first season with the Redbirds, Si compiled a singles record of 22-7 and a doubles mark of 20-6. In addition, he won the No. 4 singles title at the Missouri Valley Conference Individual Championships.
Sis play progressed during the 2000-01 season as he recorded a singles mark of 30-10 and a doubles record of 33-6. Further, he and teammate Ricky Heath won the Valley Individual Championship at No. 1 doubles, and he was a 2000-01 Valley All-Select selection. Currently, Si sits at No. 7 on the Redbirds career doubles list with 53 doubles wins in only two seasons.
Although Si was successful on the court while attending Illinois State, his success did not stop there. Off the court, he excelled in the classroom as well.
Si, who majored in mathematics, earned a 4.0 grade point average in the fall of 2000, fall of 2001 and the spring of 2001. As a result of his academic excellence, he received many honors including being selected to the 2001 Verizon Academic All-American Team, the 2001 Verizon Academic All-District Team, the 2001 Valley Scholar-Athlete Team and the 2000-2001 Anderson Financial Network Inc. Athletics Honor Roll. Si graduated from Illinois State in December of 2001 with a 4.0 grade point average.
