Box Score (PDF)
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The George Mason University men's tennis team opened its spring slate with a complete 5-2 triumph over Mary Washington on Saturday afternoon in Fredericksburg.
The Patriots won two of three doubles matches to take the early 1-0 lead. Then, the Green & Gold captured four of six singles matches to secure the victory.
In doubles, Mason's No. 1 tandem of graduate student
Rishab Sardana and freshman
Monil Lotlikar picked up an 8-4 win over UMW's Chara Shankar/Watson duo. Then, at No. 2 doubles, senior
Rithik Sardana paired with sophomore
Niza Simunyola to take a grueling 8-7 win, which included a 7-4 triumph in the tiebreaker.
In singles, senior
Momin Khan made quick work at No. 2 against Nick Spera, winning in straight sets (6-0, 6-3).
Lotlikar made his dual debut at No. 3 singles and performed admirably, taking a 6-3, 6-0 match win over Artis Hart.
Elsewhere,
Rishab Sardana defeated Jacob Pfab at No. 4. The Union City, Calif., product won the first set, 6-1, then took the second, 6-3.
In all, UMW's No. 2-4 singles players won just 10 games to Mason's 36 in a dominant performance by the Green & Gold.
Wrapping up Mason's singles wins, Simunyola took out UMW's Leese with a 6-4 first set win, followed by a 7-5 triumph in the second.
The Patriots are right back in action Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. George Mason will play at Virginia Tech, with a live stream available via hokiesports.com.
