Saratoga Springs, NY – The men's tennis team traveled to Skidmore College today to compete on Day 1 of the Skidmore Invitational, with schools such as MIT, Swarthmore, Bowdoin, Wesleyan, Denison, and Skidmore competing. The boys began the day with doubles, with a couple new pairs playing together for the first time this season. Doubles began with very windy conditions which proved a challenge for the Ephs, as
Diego Marin and
Leon Liu, and
Carter Fayard and
Jack Ling both lost against tough opposition.
Nicholas Chen and
Shawn Berdia were the highlight of doubles, showing a dominant display on court, winning their match 6-2.
In singles, Berdia took to the court first, showing his resilience and mental toughness after dropping the first set. He won his match 5-7, 6-3, 10-7.
Diego Marin lost a battle against a passionate opponent, losing his match 6-2, 6-2. Next, taking the court was Liu, winning a back and forth match 6-3 6-3 against an opponent from UC Santa Cruz. Moments later, Ling lost a tough one. His level was getting better and better as the match went on, and he almost pulled away with the second set, but he lost 6-0, 7-6 (5). To round off the first round matches, freshman warrior
Carter Fayard was battling down on court 8, underhand serving the entire match due to injury. He almost completed a comeback in the first set, but fell 7-6 (6), 6-0.
In the afternoon, the wind calmed down, the sun came out, and singles action became as intense as ever. Berdia had a marathon match with many momentum shifts. In the end, he fell just short, losing 7-5, 3-6, 10-8. In the other draw, Liu was able to control what he could control, while also playing his best tennis in the important moments, winning 7-5, 6-3.
Reflecting on the day's performance, Coach
Dan Greenberg stated, "We're getting better day by day. Still not where we want to be just yet, but these fall matches are great for us to get matches in, and make sure we peak in the spring. Looking forward to the final day of the invite tomorrow." The Ephs will conclude their fall season tomorrow with the final day of the invitational. Chen and Berdia continue to compete in the Thoroughbred doubles semifinals, while Liu will compete in the Saratoga singles semifinals.
Thoroughbred Draw Doubles: Quarterfinals:
Chen/Berdia (WIL) def. Kahler/Xiao (MIT) 6-2
Springs Draw Doubles: Quarterfinals:
Choo/Melnikov (SWAT) def. Liu/Marin (WIL) 6-0
Mountain Draw Doubles: Quarterfinals:
Fraenkel/Golan (Bowdoin) def. Ling/Fayard (WIL) 6-1
Skidmore Draw Singles: Round of 16:
Berdia (WIL) def. Meyers (Denison) 5-7, 6-3, 10-7
Kneiss (Bowdoin) def. Marin (WIL) 6-2, 6-2
Lindstrom (SWAT) def. Chen (WIL) 6-1, 6-2
Skidmore Draw Singles: Quarterfinals:
Melnikov (SWAT) def. Berdia (WIL) 7-5, 3-6, 10-8
Saratoga Draw Singles: Round of 16:
Liu (WIL) def. Hidas (UCSC) 6-3, 6-3
Litton (Wesleyan) def. Ling (WIL) 6-0, 7-6 (5)
Saratoga Draw Singles: Quarterfinals:
Liu (WIL) def. Chen (SWAT) 7-5, 6-3
Adirondack Draw Singles: Round of 16:
Choo (SWAT) def. Fayard (WIL) 7-6 (6), 6-0
