Comerica Bank Challenger A USTA Pro Circuit Event Saturday August 11, 2012 Seascape Sports Club Aptos, CA Purse: $100,000 Surface: Hard-outdoor Saturday August 11--- Results BATTLE OF TWO USC ALUMS AND FORMER TEAMMATES IN SUNDAY’S FINAL AT COMERICA BANK CHALLENGER Singles- Semifinals: (WC) Steve Johnson (USA) d. Jan Hernych (CZE) 6-3, 6-4 Robert Farah (COL) d. (Q) Ilija Bozoljac (SRB) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 Doubles-Semifinals: Rik de Voest (RSA)/John Peers (AUS) d. Devin Britton (USA)/Austin Krajicek (USA) 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5) An American pair came up just short at their shot at the doubles title in the semifinal round this afternoon against No. 3 seeds, Rik de Voest and John Peers. After upsetting the No. 1 seeds first round, Americans Devin Britton and Austin Krajicek have played an amazing tournament here at Seascape and pushed their opponents to a nail-biting close two tie-break set match. Voest and Peers will face 2009 and 2011 doubles champion, Chris Guccione and partner and former No. 47 ranked doubles player in the world, Frank Moser in the finals. USC alums, Robert Farah and Steve Johnson will face each other in a heated singles final match. Farah claimed, “I have never played Steve in an official match before,” since they have always played together as teammates. He added, “It will be fun though; I think we both will be nervous in the beginning and then it’s going to be a nice match.” Robert Farah graduated two years ahead of Steve Johnson. Win or lose, Johnson will earn a wildcard to the US Open because he was victorious in the NCAA Singles Championships. However, a victory here at Seascape over his former college teammate will just add an extra feather in his cap. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Denis Kudla from Virginia will now claim the wildcard from the Comerica Bank Challenger because he has accumulated the most collective points from the four most recent challenger tournaments. ORDER OF PLAY - SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 2012 CENTER COURT start 11:00 am Not Before 1:00 PM [3] Rik De Voest (RSA) / John Peers (AUS) vs [2] Chris Guccione (AUS) / Frank Moser (GER) [WC] Steve Johnson (USA) vs Robert Farah (COL) For more information, please contact Logan Finnell, Tournament Press Aide Cell phone: 831 241 0022 Email: logan.fi[email protected] ABOUT THE USTA PRO CIRCUIT: With 90-plus tournaments hosted annually throughout the country and prize money ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour- level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. The USTA launched its Pro Circuit 32 years ago to provide players with the opportunity to gain professional ranking points, and it has since grown to become the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world, offering more than $2.5 million in prize money. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed in cities nationwide. Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, Caroline Wozniacki, James Blake, Justine Henin, Andy Murray and Sam Querrey are among today’s top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit..