The Fordham men’s tennis team bounced back with a solid 6-1 victory against Wagner College at the Armonk Sports Complex on Saturday night. Head coach David Slater praised the team’s performance, noting it was the best Wagner squad he’d faced during his time at Fordham. He highlighted the players’ focus and attitude, which contributed to their success. Three sophomores played key roles, each winning their matches.
The Rams began strong, securing the doubles point by winning two out of three matches. Dhananjay Athreya and Filip Horak claimed a 6-3 victory over Joshua Zhou and Gabriele Zugarelli. Will Lokier and Nicolas Garnier also triumphed, defeating Tom Lamers and Sebastian Dobson 6-4.
In singles play, Fordham continued to dominate, winning five matches. Mateusz Gradzki battled Eddie Schmidt, clinching his match 6-3, 2-6, 6-2. Horak showcased his skills against Lukas Escher, winning 6-4, 7-6(7). Dhillon Virdee-Oakley won decisively against Lamers, 6-2, 6-2. Lokier delivered a stunning performance, shutting out Pablo Rodriguez Gonzalez 6-0, 6-0. Athreya also secured his win with a score of 6-2, 6-1 against Vibhu Challagundla.
The only setback for the Rams came from Ruben Russwurm, who fell to Joshua Zhou in a tightly contested match, finishing 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (9).
In doubles, the results were as follows:
1. Eddie Schmidt/Lukas Escher (WAG) def. Dhillon Virdee-Oakley/Diego Cueto (FOR) 6-4
2. Dhananjay Athreya/Filip Horak (FOR) def. Joshua Zhou/Gabriele Zugarelli (WAG) 6-3
3. Will Lokier/Nicolas Garnier (FOR) def. Tom Lamers/Sebastian Dobson (WAG) 6-4
Looking ahead, the Rams are set to face Butler University in Indianapolis on Friday, February 20, at 3:00 p.m.
### Insights on the Game
The match reflects a growing trend in college tennis, where younger players are making significant contributions. According to a recent NCAA report, freshmen and sophomores have been increasingly earning starting spots on teams, showing that talent can emerge at any age. This shift highlights the potential for mentorship and growth within college programs.
Social media buzz around college tennis is also rising, with fans taking to platforms like Twitter and Instagram to share highlights and support their teams, showcasing the sport’s increasing popularity among younger audiences.
In summary, Fordham’s strong performance against Wagner underscores the team’s potential and suggests a promising season ahead.
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