PRINCETON, N.J. - The University of Pennsylvania men's tennis team fell in its Ivy League opener on Saturday, 5-2, to Princeton on the road. Penn got wins from Kyle Mautner and Dmitry Shatalin in singles, but it wasn't enough to get the Quakers an early head start in conference play.

How it Happened

After taking down three Ivy League opponents on its way to an ECAC Championship early in the spring, the Quakers looked to get an early head start in conference play against Princeton. However, it was the Tigers that took the doubles point. Kevin Zhu and Dmitry Shatalin won, 6-3, at No. 2 doubles, but a narrow tiebreak loss at No. 1, had the Red and Blue down, 1-0, headed into singles play. 

In singles, it was Kyle Mautner and Shatalin getting wins for Penn. Mautner edged out a win at number one singles, winning, 6-3, in the third set while Shatalin earned a straight set, 6-3, 6-4 win.

Edoardo Graziani came up just short in a first set tiebreaker on his way to going down in straight sets at number two. Kevin Zhu and Max Cancilla each took the first set in their matches before falling in three sets. Zhu won 6-4 to jump out to an early lead, but lost the second, 6-1, before going down in the decider, 6-4. Cancilla won the first set 6-1, before falling in a tiebreaker in the second and then losing the third, 6-2. 

Up Next

Penn will host Harvard and Dartmouth next week back at home. The Quakers are undefeated at the Hecht and Hamlin tennis centers this season. 

Full Results

Singles

1. #85 Kyle Mautner (PENN) def. Ryan Seggerman (PRIN) 7-5, 2-6, 6-3
2. Karl Poling (PRIN) def. Edoardo Graziani (PENN) 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
3. Damian Rodriguez (PRIN) def. Kevin Zhu (PENN) 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
4. Dmitry Shatalin (PENN) def. Davey Roberts (PRIN) 6-3, 6-4
5. Bill Duo (PRIN) def. Noah Makarome (PENN) 6-1, 6-4
6. Payton Holden (PRIN) def. Max Cancilla (PENN) 1-6, 7-6, 6-2

Doubles

1. Payton Holden/Ryan Seggerman (PRIN) def. Edoardo Graziani/Kyle Mautner (PENN) 7-6 (5)
2. Dmitry Shatalin/Kevin Zhu (PENN) def. Karl Poling/Damian Rodriguez (PRIN) 6-3
3. Justin Barki/Bill Duo (PRIN) def. Max Cancilla/Robert Smithline (PENN) 6-1