BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (UCFKnights.com) — Redshirt senior Harrison Richmond qualified for the main draw of the Players Choice Open over the weekend in Birmingham.
The Knights had five players compete in the first round of qualifying. With four players securing straight set victories. Richmond never lost a game, defeating Ran Derei. The junior Danny Kerznerman defeated Sam Drosky, 6-1 6-1. The 14th-seeded Korey Lovett secured a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Daniil Evseev, while the no. 15 seed Enrique Paya swept Kamil Sikorski, 6-0, 6-0. Kalman Boyd dropped a 6-1, 6-3 match to Mate Cutura.
Harrison Richmond
In the second round, Richmond posted a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Johan Jakubec, while Kerznerman defeated Juan Cruz Estevarena 7-5, 6-0. Paya and Lovett both fell in close matches. Paya was upset by Sebastian Sanchez, 6-4, 6-4, while Lovett fell 6-4, 6-2 to Albert Wagner.
Richmond secured a spot in the main draw with a three-set victory over Vasiliy Kichigan. Richmond took the first set 6-4, but dropped the second set 4-6. The Pawleys Island, S.C., native clinched the match with a decisive 6-0 victory in the third.
Kerznerman came up short to the fifth-seeded Guillermo Nunez. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native fell 6-1, 6-1.
Richmond is slated to take on Hunter Johnson in the opening round of the main draw.
Full Results
Round 1
Mate Cutura d. Kalman Boyd 6-1, 6-3
Danny Kerznerman d. Sam Dromsky 6-1, 6-1
[14] Korey Lovett d. Daniil Evseev 6-1, 6-1
[15] Enrique Paya d. Kamil Sikorski 6-0, 6-0
Harrison Richmond d. Ran Derei 6-0, 6-0
Round 2
Kerznerman d. Juan Cruz Estevarena 7-5, 6-0
Richmond d. Jonah Jakubec 6-1, 6-1
Albert Wagner d. Lovett 6-4, 6-2
Sebastian Sanchez d. Paya 6-4, 6-4
Round 3
Richmond d. Vasiliy Kichigan 6-4, 4-6, 6-0
Guillermo Nunez d. Kerznerman 6-1, 6-1