Auburn men's tennis opened its 2019 season with a pair of shutout victories – 7-0 and 4-0 -- over Jackson State Friday at the Yarbrough Tennis Center in Auburn.
"It was exactly what we were looking for. We are only four or five days into the season and ultimately, today and tomorrow are all about getting points," Auburn head coach Bobby Reynolds said. "There's a lot of getting back in the swing of things and pushing guys.
"I felt like we came out a little slow in doubles early on; I think nerves played a part, which is natural for the first match of the year. An obvious benefit was being able to play a bunch of different guys; we have a pretty big team and we got to see a lot of guys play. Tomorrow, we will see some different guys, too, so that's really what we are looking for this weekend."
In the morning match, Tim Dollman and Anders Fry, each competing in their first team match for Auburn, got things started with a 6-3 doubles victory on court one. On court two, Alex Rushin and Diego Chavarria rallied from a 3-1 deficit to post a 7-5 win, giving the Tigers the doubles point.
In singles, Auburn took the first set of all five contested matches. Chavarria was the first to finish, posting a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Thomas Torres on court five, and Dollman clinched the team victory with a 6-1, 6-4 decision over Andrey Alawi on court one. Michael Durham, Fry and Rushin added singles wins to close out the shutout.
In the afternoon match, Dollman and Fry posted a 6-2 doubles win on court one and Durham and Rushin were 6-3 winners on court two to capture the doubles point for Auburn.
Dollman set the tone in singles with a convincing 6-1, 6-0 victory over Thomas Torres on court one, and Chavarria clinched the win with a 6-1, 6-1 decision over Fritz Jacobs.
Saturday, Auburn faces Samford in matches at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. All action this weekend will be indoors at the Yarbrough Tennis Center (771 Yarbrough Farms Blvd., Auburn) and admission is free.
Auburn 7, Jackson State 0
Singles
Tim Dollman (AUB) def. Andrey Alawi (JSU) 6-1, 6-4
Michael Durham (AUB) def. Juan Soria (JSU) 6-1, 6-3
Anders Fry (AUB) def. Lebelo Mosehle (JSU) 6-3, 6-3
Alex Rushin (AUB) def. Fritz Jacobs (JSU) 6-2, 6-2
Diego Chavarria (AUB) def. Thomas Torres (JSU) 6-1, 6-0
Tad Maclean (AUB) won by forfeit
Doubles
Dollman/Fry (AUB) def. Alawi/Mosehle (JSU) 6-3
Chavarria/Rushin (AUB) def. Jacobs/Soria (JSU) 7-5
Maclean/Durham (AUB) won by forfeit
Order of finish: Doubles: 1,2; Singles: 5,1,2,3,4
Auburn 4, Jackson State 0
Singles
Tim Dollman (AUB) def. Thomas Torres (JSU) 6-1, 6-0
Michael Durham (AUB) v Andrey Alawi (JSU) 6-0, 4-2 unfinished
Anders Fry (AUB) v Juan Soria (JSU) 6-1, 4-2 unfinished
Alex Rushin (AUB) v Lebelo Mosehle (JSU) 6-1, 4-1 unfinished
Diego Chavarria (AUB) def. Fritz Jacobs (JSU) 6-1, 6-1
Tad Maclean (AUB) won by forfeit
Doubles
Dollman/Fry (AUB) def. Alawi/Soria (JSU) 6-2
Rushin/Durham (AUB) def. Jacobs/Mosehle (JSU) 6-3
Order of finish: Doubles: 1,2; Singles: 1,5