EWING, N.J. – Franklin & Marshall's men's tennis team dropped its 2018 season opener in a tough 7-2 loss to TCNJ on Sunday afternoon. 

The Diplomats fell to 1-0 while the Lions, who are ranked No. 13 in the Northeast region, improved to 2-0. 

By the Numbers

TCNJ swept the doubles competition to hold a 3-0 advantage going into singles play. 

The Lions secured four of the six singles spots with straight sets. Will Samuels (No. 5) took the first frame 6-4 but fell in the next two.

Isaac Salas (No. 2) and Andrew Pace (No. 6) delivered F&M's lone singles victories.

The Results

Singles competition
1. Mitchel Sanders (TCNJM) def. Jack Rothman (FMCM) 7-5, 7-6 (7-3)
2. Isaac Salas (FMCM) def. Matt Puig (TCNJM) 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (7-5)
3. Omar Bokhari (TCNJM) def. Zack Levin (FMCM) 6-1, 6-3
4. Tim Gavornik (TCNJM) def. Sam Bellersen (FMCM) 6-3, 6-4
5. Achyuth Balijepalle (TCNJM) def. Will Samuels (FMCM) 6-4, 5-7, 1-0 (10-7)
6. Andrew Pace (FMCM) def. Gokul Murugesan (TCNJM) 7-6 (7-2), 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Mitchel Sanders/Chris D'Agostino (TCNJM) def. Jack Rothman/Sam Bellersen (FMCM) 9-7
2. Matt Puig/Omar Bokhari (TCNJM) def. Zack Levin/Will Samuels (FMCM) 8-3
3. Tim Gavornik/Gokul Murugesan (TCNJM) def. Andrew Pace/Isaac Salas (FMCM) 8-5

Up Next 

The Diplomats host Salisbury in their home opener on Friday, March 4 at 4:00 p.m.