The No. 6-ranked Emory men's tennis team opened play in the 2014 NCAA Championships by posting a second-round win over North Carolina Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles boosted their overall record to 18-6 following a 5-0 triumph over the Bishops who closed out their season at 13-9. Serving as the host for this weekend's regionals is Washington and Lee.
Emory bolted to a 3-0 lead after sweeping doubles. Junior Eric Halpern and senior Simon Lavoie-Perusse got things rolling with an 8-1 triumph at No. 3 while the junior duo of Alex Ruderman and Ian Wagner upped their spring record to 10-7 with an 8-3 verdict against Peter Hviid and Mikhail Konnov at the No. 1 spot. Seniors Ayush Bajoria and Jackson Isaacs finished off the sweep with an 8-6 outcome at No. 2 against Eduardo Ugalde and Elias Kerem.
Wagner upped the Eagles' margin to 4-0 after a convincing 6-0, 6-0, win at No. 4 singles, his 23rd victory in 28 decisions, while Ruderman closed out the match with a 6-0, 6-2 triumph vs. Konnov at No. 1, raising his won-lost ledger to 21-3.
Emory advances to Sunday's regional finals on Sunday where it will clash with No. 12-ranked Kenyon College (19-7) at 10:00 am. The Lords defeated Washington and Lee, 5-1, in the semifinals.
