University of Tennessee at Chattanooga freshman men's tennis player Simon Bustamante won the No. 2 singles draw at the UTC Steve Baras Fall Classic at the Champions Club today.  He won his third singles match to lead the Mocs. 

Bustamante, a native of Guayaquil, Ecuador, won a tough three-setter to take the bracket today.  He defeated Mercer's Nicolas Guillon (6-4, 3-6, 6-4) in a marathon.  Junior Michael Birnbaum posted the other singles win for UTC today.  Birnbaum and freshman Max Grobbelaar also had a doubles victory against Mercer.

"I am very proud of how we competed," stated UTC head coach Carlos Garcia.  "I thought the new four-team hidden dual format produced great tennis theater from start to finish.

"We improved so much as a team these last few days. I feel we are learning from each match and gaining confidence with each win. I am also very proud of Simon and his stellar performance this weekend. He really stepped up when we needed him and to go undefeated is quite an achievement as a freshman.

"This year's Steve Baras Fall Classic was truly an amazing weekend of college tennis," added Garcia.  "Thanks to all the people involved, from our trainers, officials, volunteers and the Champions Club staff who help make this event what it is today...one of best fall tennis tournaments in the South."

Next up for the Mocs is the ITA Ohio Valley Regional at Tennessee on Oct. 20-23. 

UTC Steve Baras Fall Classic Day 2 Chattanooga Men's Results
Sam Philip (Mercer) def. Derrick Brown (UTC) – 6-1, 6-4
Simon Bustamante (UTC) def. Nicolas Guillon (Mercer) – 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
Oliver Stuart (Mercer) def. Pablo Llebeili (UTC) – 6-0, 6-3
Fernando Guardia (Mercer) def. Paul LaHue (UTC) – 6-1, 6-2
Efstathios Tsiranidis (Mercer) def. Max Grobbelaar (UTC) – 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
Ruben Vanoppen (Mercer) def. Austin Boaz (UTC) – 6-1, 6-2
Michael Birnbaum (UTC) def. Jordan Mark (Mercer) – 3-6, 6-4, 6-4

Fermin Calvo/Sam Slade (KSU) def. Derrick Brown/Austin Boaz (UTC) – 6-1
Sam Philip/Ruben Vanoppen (Mercer) def. Derrick Brown/Austin Boaz (UTC) – 6-1
David Durham/Drew Wendel (KSU) def. Michael Birnbaum/Max Grobbelaar (UTC) – 6-4
Michael Birnbaum/Max Grobbelaar (UTC) def. Oliver Stuart/ Efstathios Tsiranidis (Mercer) – 7-5
Jake Bouchillon/Drew Lahey (KSU) def. Pablo Llebeili/Paul LaHue (UTC) – 6-4
Fernando Guardia/Nicolas Guillon (Mercer) def. Pablo Llebeili/Paul LaHue (UTC) – 6-1