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MTennis: UGA defeated Eastern Kentucky in both matches of its season-opening doubleheader, 7-0 and 5-1, on Monday

In his first singles match on court one, No. 41 Thomas Paulsell delivered the second clinching win of his career, while on court three No. 112 Cyrus Mahjoob notched his first clincher in the latter match. Georgia improved to 33-3 in season openers under head coach Manuel Diaz. 

“It was a great day for us, especially for our freshman, just getting the butterflies out in our first dual match,” Coach Diaz said. “We had a few of our guys play a little tense and a bit tight, so it’s great to get the first match under our belts. There were some challenges in the doubles as well – Eastern Kentucky played great doubles against us. I think we are a better team after today and our guys got their feet wet.” 

The Bulldogs started the match by earning the point in doubles competition. Paulsell and Ryan Colby took the first victory and won their second match together by defeating Moritz Mayer and Mario Monclus Martin by a 6-2 score. Miguel Perez Peña and Mahjoob followed by taking a win on court three, 6-2, against Paul-Antoine Brazet and Kristoffer Stahlbrand.

The Bulldogs stayed hot and went undefeated in singles during the first match. Georgia won five of its six matches in straight sets, with Freddy Blaydes closing out the match with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over J. Anurag Reddy, taking the first singles match of his collegiate career and confirming the sweep.

The energy carried on into the second match as the Bulldogs won 5-1, highlighted by Blaydes and Parker Jacques winning their matches without dropping a single game. No. 112 Mahjoob took home a 6-0, 6-2 win over J. Anurag Reddy while over on court five Filipe Costa overtook Ryan Kitchin 6-1, 6-1. Georgia’s Niels Ratiu reigned electric and also earned himself a 6-1,6-3 victory clocking in another successful day at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. The teams did not play in doubles. 

“For me, intensity is key in tennis,” freshman Niels Ratiu said. “Your level of play depends on the intensity you have on the court. I try to empower my teammates standing next to me every time I play. It makes their intensity level rise, just by bringing the energy and being positive. It doesn’t matter if I’m down on my court, or if I’m up on my court. I still have to be the same, because I know it helps my teammates around me. Especially when you have a team around like this, it makes you want to do more.” 

Georgia’s next match will come against Louisiana at the Athens Regional for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Kickoff Weekend on Sunday, Jan. 28 at 2:30 p.m. ET. The Bulldogs will play either Auburn or No. 19 Texas A&M on Jan. 28, with the consolation match scheduled for 11 a.m. and the championship at 2:30 p.m. Matches played against Southeastern Conference teams in ITA events will not count towards the programs’ conference record. 

No. 18 Georgia 7, Eastern Kentucky 0

Singles competition

1. #41 Thomas Paulsell (UGA) def. Mario Monclus Martin (EKU) 6-1, 6-3 

2. #36 Ryan Colby (UGA) def. Evzen Holis (EKU) 6-1, 6-0

3. #43 Miguel Perez Peña (UGA) def. Fernando Bulnes (EKU) 6-1, 6-1 

4. Niels Ratiu (UGA) def. Moritz Mayer (EKU) 7-6 (8-6), 6-1

5. #112 Cyrus Mahjoob (UGA) def. Paul-Antoine Brazet (EKU) 6-3, 3-6, 1-0 (10-3) 

6. Freddy Blaydes (UGA) def. J. Anurag Reddy (EKU) 6-4, 6-3

Order of finish: 2, 3, 1*, 4, 5, 6

Doubles competition

1. Thomas Paulsell/Ryan Colby (UGA) def. Moritz Mayer/Mario Monclus Martin (EKU) 6-2

2. Niels Ratiu/Freddy Blaydes (UGA) vs. Fernando Bulnes/Evzen Holis (EKU) 4-5, unfinished 

3. Miguel Perez Peña/Cyrus Mahjoob (UGA) def. Paul-Antoine Brazet/K. Stahlbrand (EKU) 6-2

Order of finish: 1, 3*

No. 18 Georgia 5, Eastern Kentucky 1

Singles competition

1. Moritz Mayer (EKU) def. #43 Miguel Perez Peña (UGA) 2-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-7) 

2. Niels Ratiu (UGA) def. Paul-Antoine Brazet (EKU) 6-1, 6-3

3. #112 Cyrus Mahjoob (UGA) def. J. Anurag Reddy (EKU) 6-0, 6-2

4. Freddy Blaydes (UGA) def. K. Stahlbrand (EKU) 6-0, 6-0

5. Filipe Costa (UGA) def. Ryan Kitchin (EKU) 6-1, 6-1

6. Parker Jacques (UGA) def. E. Castro Platonoff (EKU) 6-0, 6-0

Order of finish: 6, 4, 5, 3*, 2, 1

The teams did not compete in doubles during the second match.

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