Men’s Tennis Falls to JWU in GNAC Opener, 6-3

RIVERSIDE, R.I. – The Suffolk men's tennis team slipped to Johnson & Wales, 6-3, in its GNAC opener at Centre Courts. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 3, Johnson & Wales 6
RECORDS: Suffolk (3-3, 0-1 GNAC) | Johnson & Wales (1-3, 1-0 GNAC) 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk gained a 2-1 advantage after doubles competition with wins on courts three and one, respectively. Kevin Greenman and Rami Esrawi started things off as the pair defeated Jack Hopkins and Marco Saldierma, 8-2, in the third slot. The Wildcats leveled the playing field with a win in the second spot, but Omar Azzaoui and Ariel Ilarslan Russo regained the edge for the blue-and-gold thanks to a thrilling 9-8 (3-0) win over Ryan Schiele and Gianni Rodrigues at No. 1. 

The Rams carried that momentum into singles action as Suffolk's ace, Ilarslan Russo, defeated Schiele, 6-1, 6-1, to give the visitors a two-point cushion, 3-1. 

JWU had other things in mind, however, as it equalized the playing field for the second time thanks to victories in the second and fourth position. Gunner Mahoney gave the Wildcats their first lead of the night as he defeated Chris Parnagian, 6-3, 7-5, at No. 3 to set up match point. 

Jack Hopkins clinched the victory for Johnson & Wales in a three-set decision over Esrawi, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, in the fifth position. 

Charles Tang fell to Saldierna in the sixth spot, 7-5, 2-6, 7-5, for the final 6-3 margin. 

NOTEWORTHY

• Ilarslan Russo remains undefeated in singles action this season, improving to 4-0.
• Greenman and Esrawi are unbeaten as a doubles tandem, moving to 5-0 on the year.

RESULTS

SINGLES
1 – Ariel Ilarslan Russo (Suffolk) defeated Ryan Schiele (Johnson & Wales), 6-1, 6-1
2 – Gianni Rodrigues (Johnson & Wales) defeated Omar Azzaoui (Suffolk), 6-4, 6-1
3 – Gunner Mahoney (Johnson & Wales) defeated Chris Parnagian (Suffolk), 6-3, 7-5
4 – Alexander Rohana (Johnson & Wales) defeated Kevin Greenman (Suffolk), 6-4, 6-4
5 Jack Hopkins (Johnson & Wales) defeated Rami Esrawi (Suffolk), 6-1, 4-6, 6-4
6 – Marco Saldierna (Johnson & Wales) defeated Charles Tang (Suffolk), 7-5, 2-6, 7-5 

DOUBLES

1 – Ariel Ilarslan Russo/Omar Azzaoui (Suffolk) defeated Ryan Schiele/Gianni Rodrigues (Johnson & Wales), 9-8 (3-0)
2 – Gunner Mahoney/Alexander Rohana (Johnson & Wales) defeated Chris Parnagian/Charles Tang (Suffolk), 8-4
3 – Kevin Greenman/Rami Esrawi (Suffolk) defeated Jack Hopkins/Marco Saldierna (Johnson & Wales), 8-2 

ORDER OF FINISH (D) 3, 2, 1 (S) 1, 2, 4, 3, 5, 6

COMING UP
Suffolk is back in action tomorrow, Sunday, April 8 with a non-conference contest against Thomas.