The University of Georgia men’s tennis team won six of eight singles matches against Miami and three of four doubles contests versus Wisconsin to cap off a successful first day at the Miami Spring Invitational on Friday. 

The Bulldogs were impressive from the start, reeling off four straight-set singles victories to begin play. In addition to wins from seniors Alex Phillips and Robert Loeb, Georgia tallied triumphs from four underclassmen, including freshmen Erik Grevelius and Tyler Zink. 

“Our guys played well in tough conditions against a Miami team playing at home,” head coach Manuel Diaz said. “I am encouraged by the way we competed and our overall performance. We have some areas where we can improve, and that will be our aim tomorrow. Our guys are hungry to get out on the court again.”

No. 12-ranked Philip Henning led off action for the Bulldogs as he took down Francisco Bastias, 6-1, 6-0, before No. 88-ranked Blake Croyder ousted Stephen Madonia, 6-2, 6-1. Seniors Robert Loeb and Alex Phillips then followed with a pair of dominating triumphs to give Georgia the early advantage. 

Freshmen Grevelius and Zink overcame tough three-set battles to notch the Bulldogs’ fifth and sixth wins of the day. Grevelius won his team-best 13th singles match since the fall campaign in 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 fashion, while Zink took down his opponent, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. 

In doubles, Georgia was just as dominant. The No. 17-ranked Bulldog duo of Philip Henning and Blake Croyder won their ninth match since the fall with an 8-5 score. Following a tough three-set loss to No. 63-ranked Adria Soriano Barrer from Miami in singles, Trent Bryde teamed with Zink to take an 8-3 victory in doubles play. 

Grevelius and Phillips rounded out Georgia’s day with an 8-3 victory against Wisconsin’s Jesper Freimuth and Martim Vilela. 

Georgia will begin play on Saturday in doubles at 9 a.m. ET against players from Miami, followed by singles matchups against Texas. 

Day One Results 

Miami Spring Invitational

Jan. 10, 2020

Georgia vs. Miami Singles Results

#63 Adria Soriano Barrer (Miami) def. #57 Trent Bryde (Georgia) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3

Tyler Zink (Georgia) def. Dane Dunlap (Miami) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2

#12 Philip Henning (Georgia) def. Francisco Bastias (Miami) 6-1, 6-0

Erik Grevelius (Georgia) def. Bojan Jankulovski (Miami) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

Robert Loeb (Georgia) def. Will Grattan-Smith (Miami) 6-4, 6-2

Tatsuki Shimamoto (Miami) def. Baptiste Anselmo (Georgia) 6-4, 7-5

#88 Blake Croyder (Georgia) def. Stephen Madonia (Miami) 6-2, 6-1

Alex Phillips (Georgia) def. Pablo Aycart Joya (Miami) 6-2, 6-0

Georgia vs. Wisconsin Doubles Results

Tyler Zink/Trent Bryde (Georgia) def. Scott Sculley/Lenard Soha (Wisc.), 8-3

#17 Philip Henning/Blake Croyder (Georgia) def. Chase Colton/Jared Pratt (Wisc.), 8-5

Gabriel Huber/Robin Parts (Wisc.) def. Robert Loeb/Baptiste Anselmo (Georgia), 8-1

Alex Phillips/Erik Grevelius (Georgia) def. Jesper Freimuth/Martim Vilela (Wisc.), 8-3