Clemson’s Derek DiFazio Participating in USTA Tournament

Dec. 30, 2009

FLUSHING MEADOWS, New York – Derek DiFazio is currently playing in the USTA National Men’s Open, and Mixed Open Indoor Championship at Flushing Meadows, NY, home of the US Open.

DiFazio entered the singles unseeded in a draw of 256 players and made it all the way to the quarterfinals. During this impressive run he had a walk over win against #12 seed Alex Bose, as well as a 6-0, 6-1 win over #2 seed and Futures Pro Circuit player William Boe-Wiegaard.

DiFazio is also currently in the semifinals of both the Men’s Open Doubles and the Mixed Open Doubles. He is playing the Men’s Doubles with fellow New York player John Cook. In the Mixed Doubles DiFazio is paired with former ITF world junior #1 from Thailand Noppawan Lertcheewakarn. Noppawan is coached by former Clemson coaching great Chuck Kriese.

DiFazio is a junior on the Tiger tennis squad. He is from Smithtown, NY.

“We are very excited that Derek has done so well in one of the biggest National Men’s and Wormen’s Open tournaments of the year,” said Clemson Head Coach Chuck McCuen. “There were many Pro Circuit and highly ranked college players in this tournament, and Derek got to the quarterfinals in singles. Also he has a chance to win both doubles. He had some great wins in singles and is continuing his run in both doubles. Derek’s confidence is high from all the training he and his teammates did over last summer and this fall. Derek was undefeated for most of the fall and he has worked extremely hard over the last year. Our team goal is to get back into the top 10 in the country in two years and Derek will be a big part of this success,” said McCuen.

Tournament Website