Results (PDF)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The George Mason University men's tennis team blended experience with young talent this weekend while opening the 2019-20 campaign at the Joe Hunt Invitational.
 
On the campus of the United States Naval Academy, the Green & Gold tested out new doubles partnerships, shook the rust off in singles play and in the process, began the long road to April's Atlantic 10 Championship.
 
"We played tough this weekend and the guys showed that they are physically in shape for a rigorous workload," head coach Jimmy Davis said. "Four of our eight players this weekend were playing their first ever collegiate matches, and they showed great fight and determination in big moments. We found lots of areas to improve on in practice before going to regionals in a couple of weeks, but I'm impressed with what our youth adds to last year's returners."
 
In doubles, senior Jakob Nielsen partnered with freshman Faisal Alrebdi to pick up two victories on the weekend. The duo took down St. Bonaventure's Martin Estevarena/Lukas Malmberg partnership, 6-3, then proceeded to defeat Scotty Hunter/Ryan Macy (Christopher Newport), 7-6.
 
Elsewhere in doubles, freshmen Momin Khan and Rithik Sardana picked up a 7-6 victory over Youngstown State's Laurentiu Mandocescu/Pol Virgili Blanco tandem. Sophomore Erick Rivas and freshman Rami Alkhafaji teamed up to pick up a nice win over Navy's Andres Ballesteros/Gavin Segraves, 7-5.
 
In singles, Sardana grabbed two victories in the white bracket. He took down Lukas Malmberg of St. Bonaventure in straight sets (6-1, 6-3), then bested Joseph Brown of Mary Washington (7-5, 4-6, 10-2).
 
Alkhafaji also picked up two wins in singles, with victories over Mary Washington's Grant Perry (6-3, 6-0) and Chrostpher Newport's Mason Kolls (6-4, 6-2).
 
Senior Jakob Nielsen defeated Youngstown State's Laurentiu Mandocescu (1-6, 6-0, 6-1), while fellow senior Luke Maxwell upended Jacob Quijano of Mary Washngton (6-4, 7-6).
 
Khan took down Mary Washington's Cole Tecce in straight sets (6-3, 6-1) and sophomore Chanasorn Nakaurai upended Mary Washington's James Baron (6-4, 6-3), in addition to a number of other singles wins across the board.
 
Mason returns to action this coming week, when senior Edward Ayers competes in the prestigious ITA All-American Championship in Tulsa, Okla. Action begins on Saturday (Oct. 5) and draws will be released later this week.

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