LSU men’s tennis opened the spring semester in dominating fashion during the Donni Leaycraft Scramble.
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Alabama State and UAB made the trip to Baton Rouge Saturday.
Alabama State, UTRGV and LSU played their first matches since the fall. UAB came into the weekend after a fourth-place finish at the Florida State University Spring Invite.
LSU played Alabama State during the first match as junior Rafael Wagner opened with a straight set win, 6-0 and 6-1. The success continued for the Tigers continued throughout the day.
Sophomores Joey Thomas and Malik Bhatnagar and freshman Nick Watson all won in straight sets to seal a 4-0 win. The Tigers weren’t rattled in their opening matches of the semester.
“Whenever you come out in the first matches of the year, guys can be a little nervous or have some anxiety that they have to get through, but they did a good job,” said co-head coach Chris Brandi. 
The Tigers carried their momentum into the second match against UAB. Wagner and Thomas gained the early advantage for the Tigers winning their doubles match 6-3. The Tigers two seniors, Shane Monroe and Nikola Samardzic confirmed the doubles point also winning 6-3.
Thomas, Monroe and Samardzic each won their singles matches in straight sets to give the Tigers their second 4-0 win of the day.
“We played two tough matches today against two tough teams that are well-coached,” Brandi said. “Our guys did a great job. Of course, we have a lot to work on still, but I think we will get there.”
The Tigers look to continue their early success in the Jerry Simmons Invitational Saturday, Jan. 26 and Sunday Jan. 27.