Photo by: Jeff Reinking | Louisville Athletics
Hernandez Posts Runner-Up Finish in Colombia's Colsanitas Open
September 24, 2020 | Men's Tennis
University of Louisville men's tennis player Sergio Hernandez elected to complete his fall semester online while staying in his hometown of Medellin, Columbia. While there, he has continued to hone his game by competing in tournaments. Last weekend, the rising junior posted a runner-up finish in the Circuito Colsanitas Open which is the first of four tournaments organized by the Colombian Tennis Federation.
"I am very happy and proud to qualify for the final of the national tournament in my country," said Hernandez. "This is a sample of all the hard work that I have been doing in Louisville and also in my city throughout this pandemic. The truth is, I feel that playing in college totally changed my career as a tennis player and I am playing much better and I feel more mature when it comes to playing my game."
Hernandez opened the round-robin tournament with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Felipe Escobar. He followed with a 6-4, 6-1 victory against Johan Rodriguez. In the quarterfinals, Hernandez reeled off his third consecutive straight-set decision, defeating Andres Urrea 6-2, 6-1.
In the semifinals, Hernandez gutted out a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Colombian ATP great Santiago Giraldo, who once achieved a world ranking of No. 28. His run ended in the title match when he fell 6-3, 6-3 to Alejandro Gonzalez.
"Playing against Santiago Giraldo is an honor, because he is the best Colombian tennis player in all of history. He was No. 28 in the ATP, beating several top 10 players and now he is ranked at the No. 200 position. Being able to bet him has been one of the best feelings I have had. I am very happy to be at a high level and grateful to the University of Louisville for the opportunity they have given me."
"I am so proud of Sergio," said UofL men's tennis coach Rodrigo daSilva. "He is a talented, dedicated and determined player and has continued to work hard while he is away from campus."
"I am very happy and proud to qualify for the final of the national tournament in my country," said Hernandez. "This is a sample of all the hard work that I have been doing in Louisville and also in my city throughout this pandemic. The truth is, I feel that playing in college totally changed my career as a tennis player and I am playing much better and I feel more mature when it comes to playing my game."
Hernandez opened the round-robin tournament with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Felipe Escobar. He followed with a 6-4, 6-1 victory against Johan Rodriguez. In the quarterfinals, Hernandez reeled off his third consecutive straight-set decision, defeating Andres Urrea 6-2, 6-1.
In the semifinals, Hernandez gutted out a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Colombian ATP great Santiago Giraldo, who once achieved a world ranking of No. 28. His run ended in the title match when he fell 6-3, 6-3 to Alejandro Gonzalez.
"Playing against Santiago Giraldo is an honor, because he is the best Colombian tennis player in all of history. He was No. 28 in the ATP, beating several top 10 players and now he is ranked at the No. 200 position. Being able to bet him has been one of the best feelings I have had. I am very happy to be at a high level and grateful to the University of Louisville for the opportunity they have given me."
"I am so proud of Sergio," said UofL men's tennis coach Rodrigo daSilva. "He is a talented, dedicated and determined player and has continued to work hard while he is away from campus."
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