Harvard men’s tennis kicked off their home season with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Purdue at the Murr Center. This was a close match, showcasing the players’ skill and determination.
The Crimson started strong by grabbing the doubles point. James MacDonald and Masato Perera dominated at No. 3, winning 6-2. Kolos Kincses and Rohan Murali followed suit at No. 2, securing a 6-3 victory. Even though Purdue won the No. 1 doubles match, Harvard was ahead as they moved into singles play.
In singles, Harvard kept the momentum going. Nathan Blokhin set the tone with a solid 6-3, 6-2 win against Stefan Simeunovic. Rohan Murali continued his impressive form, defeating Henrik Villanger with a score of 6-2, 7-5. Marc Ktiri clinched the match for Harvard in a tight battle, winning 7-6 (4), 7-5 at No. 6.
Though Purdue fought back, winning the last three singles matches, it wasn’t enough to change the outcome. The final score was 4-3 in favor of Harvard.
Match Results
Final Score: Harvard 4, Purdue 3
Doubles Results:
- Purdue (Maj Premzl/Stefan Simeunovic) def. Harvard (Nathan Blokhin/Benjamin Privara), 6-1
- Harvard (Kolos Kincses/Rohan Murali) def. Purdue (Nour Fathalla/Henrik Villanger), 6-3
- Harvard (James MacDonald/Masato Perera) def. Purdue (Juan David Velasquez/Jacob Lee), 6-2
Singles Results:
- Purdue (No. 76 Nour Fathalla) def. Harvard (No. 109 Benjamin Privara), 1-6, 6-4, 6-2
- Harvard (Rohan Murali) def. Purdue (Henrik Villanger), 6-2, 7-5
- Harvard (Nathan Blokhin) def. Purdue (Stefan Simeunovic), 6-3, 6-2
- Purdue (Juan David Velasquez) def. Harvard (Masato Perera), 7-5, 6-7 (4), 12-10
- Purdue (Maj Premzl) def. Harvard (Mitchell Lee), 4-6, 7-6 (6), 10-7
- Harvard (Marc Ktiri) def. Purdue (Nikola Jovic), 7-6 (4), 7-5
Looking Ahead
Next, Harvard will face Michigan and Merrimack on Sunday. This will be a chance for the team to build on their recent success.
In recent college tennis trends, matches like this can significantly impact player rankings and team morale. According to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, the performance in early dual matches is crucial for setting the tone for the season.
Overall, the match highlighted Harvard’s strong doubles performance and individual talents, showcasing their potential for a successful season ahead.
