The No. 7-ranked Emory men's tennis team came through with a solid performance from its singles contingent Saturday afternoon, posting a well-deserved victory over No. 5 Johns Hopkins. The Eagles raised their overall record to 13-5 following a 7-2 decision over the Blue Jays who slipped to 7-3.
Emory picked up the first point of the match at No. 1 doubles when juniors Alex Ruderman and Ian Wagner breezed to an 8-2 decision over Michael Buxbaum and Emerson Walsh, raising their record this spring to 7-4. JHU responded by winning the remaining two doubles matches to take a one-point lead in the match.
The Eagles regrouped to win all six singles affairs, starting with Wagner's 6-4, 6-0, triumph over Jeremy Dubin at No. 4 singles, his 15th victory in 18 outings this spring, which Emory to tie the match. Sophomore Rafe Mosetick followed shortly after with a 7-5, 6-1, outcome over Tanner Brown at third singles, giving the Eagles the lead for good. In a battle between the No. 2 and No. 3-ranked players in the Atlantic South Region, Ruderman put Emory one point from clinching the match after his 6-4, 7-6, win over Buxbaum at No. 1 singles upped his spring record to 15-3. Sophomore Will Adams sealed the outcome with an intense 7-6, 6-4, victory over Erik Lim at six singles, boosting his dual record to 11-5. Senior Nick Szczurek scrapped to a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Nicholas Garcia at No. 5 singles, while junior Eric Halpern closed out the day with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 come-from-behind triumph against Ben Hwang at No. 2.
Emory returns to action on Monday, Apr. 14, when it plays at NAIA power Auburn-Montgomery.
