ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF junior Chris Barrus claimed the Roger Pharr Classic crown Tuesday afternoon, defeating teammate Danny Kerznerman in the finals. The Knights made their presence known at the local tournament, earning all four semifinal spots.
Barrus continued his trek through the bottom half of the bracket, defeating Matthew Segura 6-0, 6-2 before matching up against teammate Enrique Paya, who beat Kyle Frankel in his quarterfinals match. Barrus grabbed a 6-3, 6-3 victory over UCF freshman to advance to Tuesday's final against Kerznerman, who beat a pair of teammates in Nicolo De Fraia and Harrison Richmond on his way to the finals.
Barrus dropped the first set 2-6, losing his first set of the tournament, but the junior battled back in the second, flipping the score for 6-2 win. In the final set, the Naples, Florida, native's momentum continued, defeating Kerznerman 6-3 for the Roger Pharr Classic Championship.
Two Knights return to action next weekend as Kalman Boyd and Korey Lovett travel to Harlingen, Texas, to compete at the USTA's Futures event. The first round of qualifications is slated to begin the morning of Saturday, Oct. 15.
QUARTERFINALS
Danny Kerznerman def. Nicolo De Fraia - 6-2, 6-1
Harrison Richmond def. Mariano Gomez - 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-4
Enrique Paya def. Kyle Frankel - 7-5, 6-2
Chris Barrus def. Matthew Segura - 6-0, 6-2
SEMIFINALS
Danny Kerznerman def. Harrison Richmond - 6-3, 6-3
Chris Barrus def. Enrique Paya - 6-3, 6-3
FINALS
Chris Barrus def. Danny Kerznerman - 2-6, 6-2, 6-3