From University of Chicago Athletics

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association Central Region singles finale amounted to be anything but easy, but it was freshman Jeremy Yuan who ended up outlasting University of Chicago teammate Erik Kerrigan in a three-set thriller Tuesday at Stagg Courts.

The two Maroons battled back-and-forth in a nearly three-hour match, with Yuan taking the match by scores of 6-1, 3-6, 7-5. The freshman – who already captured one championship after teaming up with Tyler Raclin to win the doubles title Sunday – advances to the national field to play in the ITA Oracle Cup in Rome, Ga., Oct. 12-15.

Yuan won the first set easily but then saw Kerrigan storm back in Set 2 to force the deciding frame. That's when the match became even more dramatic. Yuan opened Set 3 with a 3-0 lead, only to see Kerrigan win the next five points to take what seemed like an unsurmountable 5-3 advantage.

But the rookie would respond, winning four-straight points to close out the match and give him his second ITA title of the fall season.

"Erik and Jeremy both played great all weekend and the final was no different," UChicago Head Coach Jay Tee said. "The match wasn't super clean, but they both battled hard and came up with some unbelievable shot-making and defense.

"While I know Erik is certainly disappointed with the result, I'm very proud of his growth and feel great about our team this year with him leading the way. As for Jeremy, he had about as good as a weekend as you can have and his career is only two weeks old. We look forward to more great things from both men."

It marked the fourth-straight year for Maroon titles in both singles and doubles at the ITA Central Region Championships, and the fifth-straight year UChicago had finalists in both events.