MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Rhodes men's tennis team took down a top Southern Athletic Association contender on Friday, defeating Oglethorpe University, 5-4.
 
The Lynx got off to a quick start, going 2-1 up in doubles before entering their singles matches.  Oglethorpe proved to be worthy adversary as the Lynx battled hard throughout the entire match Saturday morning. 
 
Eliot Blatt, partnered by Greyson Brilliant, struck first as they closed out their win against Briton Richardson/Craig Borne at the No. 2 doubles position.  Richardson/Borne struck first with a flurry of big forehands and strong serving, but the Lynx pair were able to withstand the initial barrage; the Rhodes team eventually broke back and were able to close out the Birds No. 2 doubles pair 8-5.  Graham Sowden and Albert Vacheron continued to dominate in the No. 3 doubles position, putting on a serve, volley, overhead clinic against Metz/Rosenberg. 
 
The Lynx faced strong opposition against Oglethorpes' singles line-up.  Eliot Blatt came short of a "break-through," victory against No. 1 Bird C.J. Antonio, losing a tough match 7-6 (2) in the third set.  Greyson Brilliant rallied from a huge deficit at No. 2 singles against Kirk Zhao but was unable to secure his lead in the third set.   Judd Metz faced little opposition against Graham Sowden in the No. 4 position, as Sowden struggled to find his singles game.  The bottom half of the lineup were able to secure victories the Lynx. 
 
Albert Vacheron started off hot against Ben Hirsch but struggled to keep his momentum going in the third set.  He was able to finish off the match swiftly winning 6-3 in the third.  Jack Patton, the silent killer, was able to creep from behind against Briton Richardson, current SAA "Player of the Week," showing him what true grit was in a come-back victory in three. 
 
But the real hero for the Lynx was Luis Ardila at No. 6, with the match tied at 4-4.  Ardila came out swinging, showing no fear, as he secured the first set 6-0.  As Ardila held the match in his hands up 5-2 serving for the match, he found himself down triple break point before winning the next six points in a row to clinch the victory 5-4 for the Lynx.  The Lynx square off against current 8-2 Berry tomorrow at 9:00 am at the Dunavant Tennis Complex. 

 
Tennis Match Results

Rhodes College 5, Oglethorpe 4

Singles competition
1. C.J. Antonio (OUM) def. Eliot Blatt (RHODES) 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (2-0)
2. Kirk Zhao (OUM) def. Greyson Brilliant (RHODES) 6-1, 1-6, 6-2
3. Albert Vacheron (RHODES) def. Ben Hirsch (OUM) 6-2, 6-7, 6-3
4. Judd Motz (OUM) def. Graham Sowden (RHODES) 6-3, 6-3
5. Jack Patton (RHODES) def. Briton Richardson (OUM) 2-6, 6-1, 6-2
6. Luis Ardila (RHODES) def. Craig Borne (OUM) 6-1, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. C.J. Antonio/Ben Hirsch (OUM) def. Luis Ardila/Jack Patton (RHODES) 8-3
2. Eliot Blatt/Greyson Brilliant (RHODES) def. Craig Borne/Briton Richardson (OUM) 8-5
3. Albert Vacheron/Graham Sowden (RHODES) def. Josh Rosenberg/Judd Motz (OUM) 8-4