Harvard Soars to Victory: 6-1 Win Over Louisville Sparks Team Momentum | Sports News | The Harvard Crimson

The Harvard men’s tennis team dominated Louisville on Super Bowl Sunday, winning 6-1 in a decisive match. This victory sets them up nicely as they prepare for the Ivy League season.

Right from the start, Harvard showed its strength in doubles. Juniors Melchior Delloye and Valdemar Pape won their match 6-0, followed by seniors Daniel Milavsky and David Lins, who secured a 6-2 victory. Their strong performance earned Harvard the crucial doubles point.

Junior Masato Perera and first-year Benjamin Privara, ranked 21st nationally, were ahead 4-2 when the doubles point was clinched. Perera praised the team’s hard work, especially from players returning from a fall break. “Our doubles have been solid; we’ve only lost one doubles point so far,” he said.

In singles play, Milavsky, ranked 28th in NCAA, continued the momentum with a 6-3, 6-1 win, pushing Harvard’s lead to 2-0. Sophomore Rohan Murali and Perera quickly followed, each winning 6-1, 6-1 to secure the overall victory for Harvard.

Delloye finished off the match with a 6-3, 6-3 win, showcasing the team’s smart play and minimal errors. However, the Cardinals didn’t give up easily. Pape and junior Marc Ktiri faced tough battles in third-set tiebreakers. Ktiri won his match 11-9, while Pape lost by the same score, concluding the match at 6-1 for Harvard.

Perera expressed optimism about the team’s progress, noting their victories over strong opponents like Georgia and Northwestern. “We’ve been really close against teams like Michigan and Texas A&M. I’m excited about what we can achieve this season,” he said.

After starting the season ranked 21st, Harvard fell out of the rankings following close losses to top teams like Duke and Texas A&M. Yet, the experience gained from tough matches and tournaments will benefit the younger players moving forward.

Perera highlighted the importance of learning from experienced teammates. “Being around players who know what they’re doing helps the younger guys improve,” he explained.

As tennis quality rises in the Ivy League, Harvard’s challenging schedule will be beneficial down the line. Perera emphasized the team’s physicality as a key strength. “Focusing on our physical play and continuing to excel in doubles will be crucial,” he stated.

The team is set to compete in the ECAC Championships in Philadelphia, PA, this Friday.