NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt opened its 2021 season with a 6-1 victory over local rival Belmont on Sunday afternoon at the Currey Tennis Center.
The Commodores (1-0) took all three doubles matches to take the initial point. Max Freeman and George Harwell took a 6-4 decision at No. 1, Marcus Ferreira and Macsen Sisam also won with a 6-4 margin at No. 2. Clinching a perfect doubles debut, Jeremie Casabon and Adam Sraberg dispatched their opposition with a 6-2 score in No. 3.
In singles action, Vanderbilt took five of six to clinch the win over the Bruins. Commanding wins at No. 3 by Ferreira (6-3, 6-1) and No. 1 by Harwell (6-4, 6-3) set the tone for the Commodores to take all but one singles point. Sisam (6-2, 4-6, 6-4) at No. 4 and Casabon (6-2, 2-6, 6-3) at No. 5 both battled back from second set defeats to each earn victories. Joubert Klopper closed the day with a 6-4, 6-1 at No. 6 to finish off Belmont.
Though falling at No. 2, Freeman lost in three by a margin of 1-6, 6-2, 5-7 but battled back from a 4-0 deficit in the third to give himself a shot at victory.
The Commodores will return to action next Sunday against Rice at 11 a.m. It will be the second of four consecutive home matches to kick off 2021.
Results
Doubles
1. Max Freeman/George Harwell (Vandy) def. Marko Ilic/Taisei Miyamoto (Belmont) 6-4
2. Marcus Ferreira/Macsen Sissan (Vandy) def. Diego Castro/Arthur Toledo (Belmont) 6-4
3. Jeremie Casabon/Adam Sraberg (Vandy) def. Grant Kelly/Alfred Wallin (Belmont) 6-2
Singles
1. George Harwell (Vandy) def. Marko Ilic (Belmont) 6-4, 6-3
2. Arthur Toledo (Belmont) def. Max Freeman (Vandy) 6-1, 2-6, 7-5
3. Marcus Ferreira (Vandy) def. Tomas Luis (Belmont) 6-3, 6-1
4. Macsen Sisam (Vandy) def. Taisei Miyamoto (Belmont) 6-2, 4-6, 6-4
5. Jeremie Casabon (Vandy) def. Diego Castro (Belmont) 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
6. Joubert Klopper (Vandy) def. Alfred Wallin (Belmont) 6-4, 6-1
Order of Finish
Doubles
2, 3, 1
Singles
3, 1, 5, 4, 2, 6
