BALTIMORE - The No. 9 Swarthmore College men's tennis team took care of No. 17 Johns Hopkins University, 7-2, in a rematch of last season's Centennial Conference Championship on Saturday. The Garnet defeated the Blue Jays in Baltimore for the first time since 1985, which also marked the last time the program took seven sets against its Centennial foe.
Michael Melnikov and
Max Lindstrom continued to defend their reputation as two of the top players in the nation. Melnikov was victorious in top doubles and singles action, with a nationally-ranked singles win over the No. 26 player in the nation. Lindstrom was victorious in No. 3 doubles and No. 2 singles to secure two key wins for the Garnet.
DOUBLES
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Garnet started off on the right foot with a 3-0 doubles sweep against their nationally-ranked rival. The pairing of Melnikov/
Utham Koduri secured a 8-5 decision in top doubles, while
Rushil Patel/
Andres Fente enjoyed another 8-5 victory in No. 2 action.
- Lindstrom/
Aadhi Raja led the Garnet to a doubles sweep with a 8-6 victory in No. 3 action.
SINGLES
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Melnikov knocked off his No. 26 challenger in top singles. The sophomore outlasted his opponent with a 10-2 tiebreaker to claim the opening set. Melnikov then clinched a straight-set victory with a 7-5 decision in the second set.
- Lindstrom won another tightly-contested match in No. 2 singles. The sophomore took the opening set tiebreaker with a 10-8 decision in a pivotal first-set victory. He then claimed victory with a 6-4 second set.
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Winston Zhang impressed in a No. 4 singles win. The first-year took the opening set 6-4, before cruising to a 6-1 decision in a straight-set win.
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Lalith Suresh capped off a successful morning with a victory in No. 6 singles. He took the opening set with a 10-4 tiebreaker, while taking the closing set 6-2.
UP NEXT
The Garnet (13-1, 3-0) host Haverford College on Wednesday.
