Box Score (PDF)

FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason University sophomore Edward Ayers earned a hard-fought victory over one of the top-150 players in the nation to lead the men's tennis team vs. Davidson on Saturday at the Mason Tennis Courts.
 
Ayers knocked off Davidson No. 1 Artem Khrapko in straight sets, taking a big win over a player ranked as high as No. 111 in the nation earlier this month. For Ayers, it's another in a series of huge victories this season after making a statement at the ITA Regionals this past fall.
 
Ayers picked up one of two victories for Mason on Saturday, as the Patriots fell to the Wildcats by the score of 5-2.
 
"We came out and battled hard today," head coach Jimmy Davis said. "Davidson is one of the tougher teams in our conference and we gave ourselves an opportunity to win. The match didn't go our way, but I'm proud of the guys for the improvements they're making and how hard they are fighting for each point."
 
Davidson grabbed an early 1-0 lead after claiming victories at both No. 1 and No. 2 doubles.
 
The Wildcats went up 2-0 by taking a straight sets win at No. 5 and made it 3-0 with a triumph at No. 2.
 
But sophomore Jakob Nielsen got Mason on the board with an important win at No. 3. The Canadian was victorious in straight sets (6-3, 6-4) to jumpstart the Mason comeback. Nielsen has now 4-1 in his last five singles matches.
 
Then, Ayers moved the Green & Gold within one (3-2) with his superb performance at No. 1. He captured the first set, 7-6, and won the tiebreak by a 7-4 margin. Then, in the second, he took control with a 6-3 win. Ayers is starting to find his groove this spring, as the San Antonio product has now captured four of his past five singles contests.
 
At No. 6 singles, senior Giuliano Buzoianu fought hard in the first set and took his Davidson opponent to the brink before falling 7-6. He dropped the second set 6-4 as Davidson earned the clinching point.
 
If a few more points had flipped for Buzoianu things would have been interesting, as freshman Carter Bradford had a marathon barn burner at No. 4. After dropping the first set, 7-5, Bradford battled back to win the second 7-6. Then, in a highly-competitive third pro set, Bradford went back and forth before ultimately dropping a 13-11 decision.
 
"We got better as a team today," Davis said. "We're taking some confidence into practice this week to try and find our highest level. We're close to finally clicking as a team and I'm confident we will be there by conferences after seeing our guys battle today."
 
Mason returns to action Friday (March 30) at 2:30 p.m. with a home contest vs. La Salle.

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