ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com)--The UCF men's tennis team added a sixth victory to its record (6-1) Sunday. The Knights defeated Florida Atlantic University, 6-1, at the USTA National Campus. UCF has put together its best start since the 2014 season.
"We played a solid match today," said head coach John Roddick. "FAU has been off to a good start and we knew they were going to be tough. I was very happy with how we finished out matches and were able to make a tough match a 6-1 win."
For the fifth time this season, the Knights clinched the doubles point to start the match on a high note. Danny Kerznerman and Mariano Porter earned a 6-4 victory over Arthur Stefani and Stephen Burnett on court three. Chris Barrus and Enrique Paya clinched the doubles point on court two. The duo was up 5-1, but FAU's Anthony Schohn and Felipe Frias fought back. The Owls' duo pulled within one, 5-4, but Barrus adn Paya settled down and secured the last game, 6-4.
In singles, UCF won the first set on five of the six courts. Chris Barrus put the Knights up 2-1, with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Frias on the fourth court. Harrison Richmond added a second singles victory with a 6-3, 6-3 win on court two against Remi Chancerel.
Porter was in a close, back-and-forth battle against Stefani in the fifth singles position. The Cuernavaca, Mexico native went up 5-4 on a service break and then won the first set, 6-4. Porter and Stefani went back and forth again in the second set, before Porter broke serve and took the set and match, 6-4. Porter's victory also secured the team victory for UCF.
On the third court, Paya took the first set away from Schohn, 6-4. The freshman was trailing 4-2 in the second set. The Valencia, Spain native won four straight games to win the second set in a come-from-behind victory.
On court six, Kerznerman and Ignacio Jimenez played a tightly-contested first set. Finally, Kerznerman jumped ahead 6-5 and then took the first set, 7-5. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native used the momentum from the first set victory, to quickly win the second, 6-1.
Up next, the Knights head out on their first road trip of the year to Texas. UCF will play TCU on Feb. 25 , followed by conference foe Southern Methodist on Feb. 26 and Baylor on Feb. 27.
Results (Order of FInish)
Doubles (3,2,1)
1). Andrei Morin-Kougoucheff/ Remi Chancerel (FAU) d. Korey Lovett/ Harrison Richmond (UCF), 6-4
2). Chris Barrus/ Enrique Paya (UCF) d. Anthony Schohn/ Felipe Frias (FAU), 6-4
3). Mariano Porter/ Danny Kerznerman (UCF) d. Arthur Stefani/ Stephen Burnett (FAU), 6-4
Singles (1,4,2,5,3,6)
1). Andrei Morin-Kougoucheff (FAU) d. No. 43 Korey Lovett (UCF), 6-1, 6-2
2). Harrison Richmond (UCF) d. Remi Chancerel (FAU), 6-3, 6-3
3). Enrique Paya (UCF) d. Anthony Schohn (FAU), 6-4, 6-4
4). Chris Barrus (UCF) d. Felipe Frias (FAU), 6-1, 6-2
5). Mariano Porter (UCF) d. Arthur Stefani (FAU), 6-4, 6-4
6). Danny Kerznerman (UCF) d. Ignacio Jimenez (FAU), 7-5, 6-1