
Photo by: Al Samuels
Kichigin Turns Heads at USTA Player’s Choice Open
10/31/2016 4:34:00 PM | Men's Tennis
BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – Juan Estevarena and Vasily Kichigin submitted strong performances over the weekend in Birmingham as the pair represented the CofC men's tennis team at the USTA Player's Choice Open.
The two were entered in the singles qualifying draw for the tournament, with Estevarena starting off with Columbian-born Omar Felipe Lopez Torres, and Kichigin drawing Georgia State's Thomas Cook. Both Cougars prevailed with scores of 6-2, 6-2 and 6-3, 6-2 respectively to advance.
In the second round, Estevarena's run came to an end when Daniel Kerznerman dispatched him in two sets 7-5, 6-0, but Kichigin wasn't quite finished. The Russian found himself matched up against the No. 3 seed in the qualifying round, Justin Roberts of South Florida, and pulled off the upset win 7-5, 6-2.
That set up a match with Central Florida's Harrison Richmond, and the two played a three-set slugfest, trading 6-4 sets before Richmond pulled away 6-0 in the third.
Kichigin and Estevarena will join their teammates back in the Lowcountry where they will prepare for the team's final Fall tournament, the CofC Classic slated for Veteran's Day weekend.
RESULTS
Juan Estevarena (CofC) def. Omar Felipe Lopez Torres (Columbia) ~ 6-2, 6-2
Daniel Kerznerman (USA) def. Juan Estevarena (CofC) ~ 7-5, 6-0
Vasily Kichigin (CofC) def. Thomas Cook (GSU) ~ 6-3, 6-2
Vasily Kichigin (CofC) def. No. 3 Justin Roberts (USF) ~ 7-5, 6-2
Harrison Richmond (UCF) def. Vasily Kichigin (CofC) ~ 6-4, 4-6, 6-0
The two were entered in the singles qualifying draw for the tournament, with Estevarena starting off with Columbian-born Omar Felipe Lopez Torres, and Kichigin drawing Georgia State's Thomas Cook. Both Cougars prevailed with scores of 6-2, 6-2 and 6-3, 6-2 respectively to advance.
In the second round, Estevarena's run came to an end when Daniel Kerznerman dispatched him in two sets 7-5, 6-0, but Kichigin wasn't quite finished. The Russian found himself matched up against the No. 3 seed in the qualifying round, Justin Roberts of South Florida, and pulled off the upset win 7-5, 6-2.
That set up a match with Central Florida's Harrison Richmond, and the two played a three-set slugfest, trading 6-4 sets before Richmond pulled away 6-0 in the third.
Kichigin and Estevarena will join their teammates back in the Lowcountry where they will prepare for the team's final Fall tournament, the CofC Classic slated for Veteran's Day weekend.
RESULTS
Juan Estevarena (CofC) def. Omar Felipe Lopez Torres (Columbia) ~ 6-2, 6-2
Daniel Kerznerman (USA) def. Juan Estevarena (CofC) ~ 7-5, 6-0
Vasily Kichigin (CofC) def. Thomas Cook (GSU) ~ 6-3, 6-2
Vasily Kichigin (CofC) def. No. 3 Justin Roberts (USF) ~ 7-5, 6-2
Harrison Richmond (UCF) def. Vasily Kichigin (CofC) ~ 6-4, 4-6, 6-0
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