LAKELAND, Fla. - No. 2 (ITA Division II Top 25) Flagler College opened its regular season today with a 6-1 victory over No. 13 Florida Southern College in a non-conference men's tennis match Saturday afternoon at the Wynne Warden Tennis Center.

The Saints cleared the doubles side of the match with a sweep. On court one, Aniss Rafiq and Simon Malis nailed down Chris Fok Kow and Mario Garoz, 6-3. On court two Baptiste Mercier and Ilian Borlee matched court one with a 6-3 win. Court three featuring Makary Adamek and Phillip Kana went unfinished at 4-4.

The first singles court to finish was court two featuring senior standout and No. 20, Mercier. Making quick work of Fok Kow, Mercier emerged victorious, 6-3 6-2. Borlee wrapped his match up next, taking the first set in a solid 6-2 followed with a 6-4 second against Matthew Hewitt.

In the only match of the day where two ranked players faced each other, No. 28 Simon Malis took on No. 38 Garoz. Dropping the first set, Malis snapped back with a 6-2 second set then took it home with a 6-3 third set. Playing a tight match, Rafiq defeated Sam Frizelle 6-4 in the first then 6-3 in the second set. Filip Kana was the last Saint to catch a win in three sets. Kana took set one with an impressive 6-1 set. Dropping set two to Russell, Kana took the third set 6-1.

The Saints will travel next weekend to the ITA Division II Indoor Team Championship in Indianapolis, Indiana. Their first match will be against current No. 6 University of West Florida. Read Full Article