Chase Perez-Blanco Makes Main Draw Singles Semifinal

Saturday, November 1

Orlando, FL

8:00 AM

Florida Gators

USTA Collegiate Clay Court Invitational Day 3

Chase Perez-Blanco Makes Main Draw Singles Semifinal

Sunday, November 2, 2014 | Men's Tennis

Gator freshman Chase Perez-Blanco turned in a quality performance for the Gators as he downed two consecutive seeded opponents, one of them ranked, en route to the semifinal round of the main singles draw at the 2014 USTA Collegiate Clay Court Invitational in Orlando, Florida, hosted by Florida State University Saturday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World.

Despite dropping the first set, Gator rookie Perez-Blanco topped teammate No. 5-seeded Diego Hidalgo in a Gator versus Gator quarterfinal match, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. His run fell short in the semifinals when he fell to the No. 1 seed, No. 30-ranked Hunter Harrington, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.

“Chase Perez-Blanco was a highlight for the weekend,” said volunteer assistant coach Scott Perelman. “He played well and competed hard. If he continues to improve, he has the potential to win a lot of matches for the Gators. Overall, it was a productive weekend for the program.”

Jordan Belga and Richard Brej closed their tournament run with consolation singles victories. Belga defeated Nico De Fraia of Central Florida, 7-5, 6-1, and Brej topped Penn State's Alex Fennell, 6-4, 4-6, 1-0(12).

Belga and Perez-Blanco reached the doubles semifinals, but fell short to No. 1-seeded Florida State duo Benjamin Lock and Marco Nunez, 6-0, 6-4.

Updated Singles and Doubles Draws Available

Disney Details

2014 USTA Collegiate Clay Court Invitational

Day Three Results – UF Only

SINGLES

Quarterfinals

Chase Perez-Blanco (UF) def. Diego Hidalgo [5] (UF), 1-6, 6-4, 6-4

Semifinals

No. 30 Hunter Harrington [1] (Clemson) def. Chase Perez-Blanco (UF), 5-7, 6-3, 6-4

Consolation Round of 16

Richard Brej (UF) def. Alex Fennell (PSU), 6-4, 4-6, 1-0(12)