CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – No. 23 Harvard men's tennis (2-1, 0-0 Ivy) defeated the Georgia Bulldogs (2-1, 0-0 SEC), 4-2, for the first time in program history this afternoon to advance to the championship of the ITA Kickoff.  Prior to the match, Harvard had never beaten the Bulldogs in the two team's 21 meetings. 

Harvard continued its doubles domination this afternoon, posting a pair of 6-4 results at the No. 1 and 2 positions to collect the first point of the day.  At court one, Benjamin Privara and Masato Perera recorded its second straight ranked win as it downed the No. 14 nationally ranked duo of Thomas Paulsell and Ryan Colby (Georgia). "We started off strong again with a solid doubles performance," says Andrew Rueb '95, the Scott Mead '77 Head Coach for Harvard Men's Tennis.  "The guys committed to our plays and we were  the more aggressive team which is often the difference."

Perera carried momentum into singles, providing the Crimson with a 2-0 lead as he cruised past Freddy Blaydes (Georgia), 6-0, 6-2, at the No. 6 spot.  

The Bulldogs eventually found their footing, evening the match at two-all following victories at court two and five.  Despite the pair of wins, the Crimson would go on to control the remainder of the contest.  Daniel Milavsky continued his impressive season opening run, earning his third ranked win in as many matches as he dropped the No. 16 nationally ranked singles player in straight sets, 7-6 (8), 6-2. 

"In singles, Masa got us on the board first with a strong 6-0, 6-2. He is coming into this own," continues Rueb.  "Danny notched another win against a top 20 college player. He is playing within himself and trusting his game and it shows."

To remain undefeated on the dual season and clinch the match, Valdemar Pape battled through a 7-5 third set to down Niels Ratiu (Georgia) and send Harvard into the championship match.  "That was a really gutsy effort by Valdemar to close out the match in the third set," said Rueb on the clinching win.  "I'm so proud that he stayed committed to his game and was willing to be aggressive when it got close."

"And thanks so much for our amazing crowd. We had close to 400 people filling the stands and cheering on the Crimson. The Boston tennis community is really coming out in droves to support our team. There is nothing like playing in front a packed crowd at the Murr. Tomorrow we will have free pizza too so don't miss us against Texas A&M at 2:00 p.m!!"

Results

Doubles

1. No. 71 Benjamin Privara/Masato Perera (Harvard) def. No. 14 Thomas Paulsell/Ryan Colby (Georgia), 6-4
2. Daniel Milavsky/David Lins (Harvard) def. Niels Ratiu/Miguel Perez Pena (Georgia), 6-4
3. Melchior Delloye/Valdemar Pape (Harvard) def. Freddy Blaydes/Oscar Pinto Sansano Georgia), 5-4 DNF

Order of finish: 1, 2
Singles

1. Daniel Milavsky (Harvard) def. No. 16 Thomas Paulsell (Georgia), 7-6 (8), 6-2
2. No. 53 Ryan Colby (Georgia) def. Benjamin Privara (Harvard), 7-6 (2), 6-3
3. Rohan Murali (Harvard) vs. No. 44 Miguel Perez Pena (Georgia), 7-6 (2), 4-6, 2-1 DNF
4. Valdemar Pape (Harvard) def. Niels Ratiu (Georgia), 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
5. No. 125 Oscar Pinto Sansano (Georgia) def. Melchior Delloye (Harvard), 6-4, 6-4
6. Masato Perera (Havard) def. Freddy Blaydes, 6-0, 6-2

Order of finish: 6, 5, 2, 1, 4

Next Up

As the Crimson looks to compete at the ITA Team Indoor Nationals for the second consecutive season, it will face No. 13 Texas A&M tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 p.m. ET inside the Murr Center.