A 10-2 combined singles and doubles record highlighted the first day of the MLK Invitational Tournament on Saturday morning for the University of Georgia men’s tennis team.

“We got after it and played confidently,” Georgia head coach Manuel Diaz said. “I was impressed with Georgia Southern’s play, and our guys played tough. Tyler [Zink] lost a close one that could have gone his way, but all credit to South Carolina’s Raphael Lambling for pulling it out. We have a big challenge tomorrow. Our guys are excited and looking forward to it.”

Doubles wins on three-of-four courts gave Georgia a burst of momentum to head into singles play. The No.8-ranked Dogs duo of Trent Bryde and Tyler Zink led the charge with a 6-3 win over Georgia Southern (GSU) team of Pascal Wagemaker and Alexandros Roumpis. Billy Rowe and Blake Croyder defeated Murphy McCullough and Jonathan Morales (GSU), 6-4, while Bulldogs Britton Johnston and Baptiste Anselmo joined forces to take down Eagles Jaap Aaldering and Carlos Garcia, 6-0.

Next in singles, dominant performances by the Bulldogs made for quick first sets. A winning trend began first with Georgia’s back three courts as Anselmo, Rowe and Croyder defeated their Georgia Southern opponents. Anselmo beat Morales (GSU) 6-2, 6-0, while Rowe defeated the Eagles’ Murphy by the same mark. Croyder then ousted Roumpis (GSU) 6-4, 6-4.

Four additional singles wins would round out the day for Georgia. Despite dropping a close doubles match when teaming up earlier in the day, Bulldogs Henning and Johnston were able to pull out wins in their respective singles matches— Henning with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Wagemaker and Johnston against Aaldering. Against South Carolina opponents, Bryde beat Thomas Brown (6-2, 6-2) and Grevelius defeated Beau Pelletier (7-5, 6-1).

The Bulldogs return to the courts tomorrow at 9 a.m. Matches are closed to the public, but fans can watch the matches live at the link provided below.

Day 1 Results

Doubles

Baptiste Anselmo/Britton Johnston (UGA) def. Jaap Aaldering/Carlos Garcia (GSU) 6-0

Blake Croyder/Billy Rowe (UGA) def. Murphy McCullough/Jonathan Morales (GSU) 6-4

Trent Bryde/Tyler Zink (UGA) def. Pascal Wagemaker/Alexandros Roumpis (GSU) 6-3

Andres Martin/Chen Dong (GT) def. Philip Henning/Erik Grevelius (UGA) 7-6

Singles

Britton Johnston (UGA) def. Jaap Aaldering (GSU) 6-3, 6-4

Erik Grevelius (UGA) def. Beau Pelletier (South Carolina) 7-5, 6-1

Baptiste Anselmo (UGA) def. Jonathan Morales (GSU) 6-2, 6-0

Billy Rowe (UGA) def. Murphy McCullough (GSU) 6-2, 6-0

Blake Croyder (UGA) def. Alexandros Roumpis (GSU) 6-4, 6-4

Philip Henning (UGA) def. Pascal Wagemaker (GSU) 6-0, 6-2

Trent Bryde (UGA) def. Thomas Brown (South Carolina) 6-2, 6-2

Raphael Lambling (South Carolina) def. Tyler Zink (UGA) 6-7, 6-1, 6-4