The 10th-ranked Georgia men’s tennis team kicked off its dual-match season in convincing fashion Friday afternoon with a 7-0 win over Mercer at the Lindsey Hopkins Indoor Courts.
“I thought we played extremely well,” Georgia head coach Manuel Diaz said. “We had some things to work on after last weekend (at the MLK Invitational). At times we were a little hesitant in doubles last weekend. I thought we came out and we were more physical. We’ve been working on finishing points earlier instead of just volleying safely. We’re trying to be more aggressive at the net, especially, and we did a good job in doubles.”
In doubles, the Bulldogs got two quick wins at the Nos. 2 and 3 positions to secure the point for the team. Philip Henning and Erick Grevelius teamed up at No. 2 and posted a 6-2 win over Andrew Branicki and Samuel Macleod. Moments later, at No. 3, Billy Rowe and Blake Croyder beat Samuel Barrow and David Georgadze, 6-1.
Georgia’s Trent Bryde and Tyler Zink, the No. 9-ranked doubles team in the ITA preseason rankings, also earned a win, 6-2, against Hugo Lobo and Lucas Wayenburg.
“That momentum carries to every single court,” Bryde said of the Bulldogs’ fast start. “That definitely helped us to get the job done today, and in a quick fashion,”
Once singles play began, the 18th-ranked Henning wasted no time in his match, beating Avant 6-1, 6-0 at No. 3. Georgia also got strong performances from Bryde and Zink at the top to spots. Playing at No. 2, Zink put the Bulldogs up 3-0 with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Wayenburg, followed soon after by the ninth-ranked Bryde’s 6-2, 6-2 win over Lobo at No. 1, clinching the team victory for Georgia.
At No. 4 singles, Baptiste Anselmo came out on top in a tight match against Macleod. At 4-all in the opening set, Anselmo took the next two games to win it, and then overcame an early 3-1 hole in the second to get back on serve. In the second-set tiebreaker, Anselmo and Macleod traded more than 30 shots on match point before Macleod missed a forehand in the net to give Anselmo the victory, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).
“It’s been great the last two weeks to see Baptiste Anselmo come on as a player,” Diaz said. “He’s improved a lot, showing a lot more confidence and toughness, and he did a good job against a very good player.”
Billy Rowe kept the wins coming at No. 5 singles, beating Barrow 6-1, 6-2. At No. 6, Grevelius completed the regulation match sweep with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Flynn.
“Everyone played really well and everyone was on their game today, and we hope to carry that through to FSU on Sunday,” Bryde said.
The Bulldogs return to action at noon Sunday against Florida State. The match is closed to the public.
Results
Doubles
1. Trent Bryde/Tyler Zink (UGA) def. Hugo Lobo/Lucas Wayenburg (Mer), 6-2
2. Philip Henning/Erik Grevelius (UGA) def. Andrew Branicki/Samuel Macleod (Mer), 6-2
3. Billy Rowe/Blake Croyder (UGA) def. Samuel Barrow/David Georgadze (Mer), 6-1
Singles
1. Trent Bryde (UGA) def. Hugo Lobo (Mer), 6-2, 6-2
3. Tyler Zink (UGA) def. Lucas Wayenburg (Mer), 6-1, 6-2
3. Philip Henning (UGA) def. Carver Avant (Mer), 6-1, 6-0
4. Baptiste Anselmo (UGA) def. Samuel Macleod (Mer), 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
5. Billy Rowe (UGA) def. Samuel Barrow (Mer), 6-2, 6-1
6. Erik Grevelius (UGA) def. Danny Flynn (Mer), 6-1, 6-3
Order of Finish
Doubles: 2, 3, 1
Singles: 3, 2, 1, 4, 5, 6