Hempstead, NY - The Hofstra University men's tennis team opened their dual match season with a 6-1 victory over St. Francis Brooklyn Friday afternoon at the Hofstra Tennis Courts.

The Pride moved to 1-0 on the season after opening the 2019 campaign with a series of tournaments. The Terriers dropped to 2-1 with the loss.
The Pride swept doubles play and took a 1-0 lead in the match. Shawn Jackson/Ostap Kovalenko defeated Luis Foix Sotos/Dennis Sanchez, 6-1, at No. 2, and Giacomo Pezzoli/Jun Sasagawa followed with a 6-3 win at No. 1 over Pau Grabuleda/Tomas Dirube. Alvaro Lopez-Sanchez/Jonathan Mahrt Guyou finished the sweep with a 7-5 victory over Daniel Blasco/Facundo Couso.

Hofstra then won five of six singles matches. Sasagawa defeated Grabuleda, 6-3, 6-3, at No. 2 singles. Kovalenko followed with a 7-5, 6-0 victory against Blasco at No. 2. Yusuke Nishitani clinched the win with a victory over Sanchez at No. 6, 7-6, 6-3.   

Shawn Jackson and Giacomo Pezzoli also posted wins, at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. Luis Foix Sotos picked up St. Francis' only win, at No. 5.

Hofstra is back in action Saturday with a 12 p.m. dual match against Fairfield.   
 
Hofstra 6, St. Francis Brooklyn 1

Singles competition
1. Shawn Jackson (HOFSTRA) def. Tomas Dirube (SFBK) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
2. Jun Sasagawa (HOFSTRA) def. Pau Grabuleda (SFBK) 6-3, 6-3
3. Ostap Kovalenko (HOFSTRA) def. Daniel Blasco (SFBK) 7-5, 6-0
4. Giacomo Pezzoli (HOFSTRA) def. Facundo Couso (SFBK) 6-2, 3-6, 7-5
5. Luis Foix Sotos (SFBK) def. Jonathan Mahrt Guyou (HOFSTRA) 6-4, 3-6, 7-6
6. Yusuke Nishitani (HOFSTRA) def. Dennis Sanchez (SFBK) 7-6, 6-3
 
Doubles competition
1. Giacomo Pezzoli/Jun Sasagawa (HOFSTRA) def. Pau Grabuleda/Tomas Dirube (SFBK) 6-3
2. Shawn Jackson/Ostap Kovalenko (HOFSTRA) def. Luis Foix Sotos/Dennis Sanchez (SFBK) 6-1
3. Alvaro Lopez-Sanchez/Jonathan Mahrt Guyou (HOFSTRA) def. Daniel Blasco/Facundo Couso (SFBK) 7-5

Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (2,3,6,1,4,5)