The OUA defending champions Varsity Blues men’s tennis team went 3-0 with 4-3 victories over the UOIT Ridgebacks, McGill Redmen and York Lions to open their 2012 campaign this past weekend (Sept. 14-16).
 
In their first match versus UOIT, the Blues soundly defeated the Ridgebacks No. 1 doubles team 8-3; however, the Ridgbacks took the No. 2 and 3 games to take the doubles point. Cameron Landry came from behind to beat Aninidh T. 4-6, 6-3, 12-10 in the No. 1 singles spot, with Toronto’s Peter Krol and Nicolas Werthmoeller also winning in the second and third positions. Matt Armstrong took the No. 5 singles match to secure the 4-3 win.
 
Rookie Zain Manji paired with Cyrus Elmpak-Mackie to win the No. 1 doubles match versus McGill on Saturday, with Krol and Werthmoeller taking the No. 3 spot to earn the doubles point.  Manji went onto win his No. 1 singles match 6-4, 6-1. Ivan Markovic, Nick Somody and Daniel Rozin also won in positions 3-5 to round out the win.
 
Manji continued his strong play versus the Lions on Sunday. He and Elmpack-Mackie defeated York’s No. 1 doubles team 8-3, with Toronto also taking the No. 2 and 3 matches. Manji then defeated York No. 1 Rob McCallum 6-4, 6-3, with Elmpack-Mackie and Karim Zeine winning in the No. 2 and 6 spots, respectively.
 
The Varsity Blues return to action next Saturday, September 22 as they travel to Hamilton, Ont., to take on the McMaster Marauders. Matches are scheduled to begin at 12 p.m.

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