Harrington Leads Clemson at 2014 USTA Collegiate Clay Court Invitational

CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson men’s tennis team wrapped up competition at the 2014 Collegiate Clay Court Invitational in Orlando today. Senior Hunter Harrington won the singles title 6-2, 6-3 over Southern Cal’s Nick Crystal. 

Harrington won five matches en route to Sunday’s final. In the first round on Thursday, he beat Florida State’s Jack Haffey 6-3, 6-3. In the second round, also on Thursday, he knocked off Florida’s Richard Brej 6-4, 6-0. On Friday, Harrington faced Miami’s Henrique Tsukamoto in his closest match of the tournament. Harrington came out on top by a score of 7-6 (8), 6-7 (6), 6-4. 

That win pushed him into the quarterfinals against Southern Cal’s Rob Bellamy. Harrington beat Bellamy 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 and advanced to the semifinals, where he met Florida’s Chase Perez-Blanco. Harrington overcame a first set loss to take the match by a score of 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 and advance to Sunday’s final.

Harrington is ranked 30th in the ITA Preseason Singles rankings and was the top singles seed at the 2014 USTA Collegiate Clay Court Invitational.

This weekend’s tournament wrapped up Clemson’s fall season. The Tigers next play on Jan. 17, 2015 against Winthrop in Davidson, N.C. Their first home match comes on Feb. 7 against Gardner-Webb, Mercer and Winthrop. 

FULL RESULTS 

Men’s Singles

Round of 64Michael Kay (GT) def. Alejandro Augusto 6-7 (10), 7-6 (7), 6-3Hunter Harrington (CU) def. Jack Haffey (FSU) 6-3, 6-3

Round of 32Hunter Harrington (CU) def. Richard Brej (UF) 6-4, 6-0

Round of 16Hunter Harrington (CU) def. Henrique Tsukamoto (UM) 7-6 (8), 6-7 (6), 6-4

QuarterfinalHunter Harrington (CU) def. Rob Bellamy (USC) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4

SemifinalHunter Harrington (CU) def. Chase Perez-Blanco (UF) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4

FinalHunter Harrington (CU) def. Nick Crystal (USC) 6-2, 6-3

Men’s Doubles 

Round of 64Nika Dolidze/Tomas Hanzlik (PSU) def. Hunter Harrington/Alejandro Augusto (CU) 8-3