BLACKSBURG — The Virginia Tech men's tennis team stormed into the spring season against George Mason on Monday afternoon with a decisive 7-0 result at the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center.
Tech (1-0, 0-0 ACC) was able to take an early lead by securing the doubles point. Redshirt-senior Mitch Harper and junior Carlo Donato struck first, winning 6-2 on court 3. The senior duo of Henrik Korsgaard and Alex Ribeiro locked up the point with a 6-2 victory on court 1.
The Hokies carried their momentum into singles competition. Donato earned a strong win over Herman Jentoft, 6-0, 6-1. Ribeiro followed suit on court 3, knocking off Rishab Sardana, 6-3, 6-0. The Hokies' win was secured on court 6 after freshman Matthis Ross had a dominant debut performance, defeating Faisal Alrebdi, 6-0, 6-2.
Harper returned to action, following a redshirt year, with a solid 6-3, 6-3 win over Jakob Nielsen. Korsgaard was able to grind out a win on court 1, defeating Eddie Ayers, 6-4, 6-3. Virginia Tech wrapped up a sweep when sophomore Brandon Perez earned a three-set victory, taking down Rithik Sardana, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.
The Hokies return to action on Friday, Jan. 24, against LSU in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and will take on Alabama on Jan. 26.
Singles
1. Henrik Korsgaard (VT) def. Eddie Ayers (GMU) 6-4, 6-3
2. Mitch Harper (VT) def. Jakob Nielsen (GMU) 6-3, 6-3
3. Alex Ribeiro (VT) def. Rishab Sardana (GMU) 6-3, 6-0
4. Brandon Perez (VT) def. Rithik Sardana (GMU) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4
5. Carlo Donato (VT) def. Herman Jentoft (GMU) 6-0, 6-1
6. Matthis Ross (VT) def. Faisal Alrebdi (GMU) 6-0, 6-2
Order of finish: 5, 3, 6*, 2, 1, 4
Doubles
1. Korsgaard/Ribeiro (VT) def. Nielsen/Alrebdi (GMU) 6-2
2. Perez/Kros (VT) vs. Rit. Sardana/Charles (GMU) 4-3 DNF
3. Harper/Donato (VT) def. Ayers/Ris. Sardana (GMU) 6-2
Order of finish: 3, 1,Gallery: (1/20/2020) 2020 MEN'S TENNIS vs. GEORGE MASON