No. 3 Wake Forest Battles Back to Down Georgia, 5-2

ATHENS, Ga. – After dropping the doubles point, the No. 3-ranked Wake Forest men's tennis team stormed back to defeat 2023 NCAA Quarterfinalist Georgia, 5-2, Monday evening at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.

With the victory, the Demon Deacons (10-3) improved to 5-0 against Georgia (4-4), dating back to 2017. Additionally, the result marked just the second loss the Bulldogs have suffered at home over the past two seasons.

Monday, the Deacs faced an early 1-0 deficit as they dropped the doubles point for the first time in over three weeks (Feb. 4). Undaunted, Wake Forest reeled off four-straight singles victories to clinch the match, before going on to win, 5-2.

Individually, graduate student Matthew Thomson defeated No. 77 Miguel Perez Pena of Georgia 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, earning his third ranked win of the 2024 campaign. Senior No. 25 Filippo Moroni also defeated a ranked foe, as he earned a straight-set win over No. 68 Thomas Paulsell in the top slot.

Of note, freshman Luca Pow improved to 11-2 in dual singles action to start his collegiate career. Additionally, Pow is currently on a five-match winning streak in singles.

How It Happened

Wake Forest had a solid start to doubles play, as it took the early lead on courts one and two.
The Bulldogs went on to clinch the doubles point behind victories on courts two and three, respectively.
- Of note, No. 3 DK Suresh Ekambaram/Holden Koons remained unbeaten in dual doubles play this season with a 6-3 win on court one.
Wake Forest trailed 1-0 heading into singles.
Head coach Tony Bresky made a slight adjustment to the Demon Deacons' singles lineup, switching Luca Pow and Holden Koons in the fifth and sixth slots, respectively.
- 1) No. 25 Filippo Moroni
- 2) No. 53 DK Suresh Ekambaram
- 3) Matthew Thomson
- 4) No. 117 Luciano Tacchi
- 5) Luca Pow
- 6) Holden Koons
Wake Forest got off to a strong start in singles, winning the opening set on four courts.
The Demon Deacons quickly tied the contest at one, as Koons earned a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Cyrus Mahjoob.
No. 25 Moroni then extended the Deacs' lead as he battled back from an early deficit to defeat No. 68 Thomas Paulsell in straight sets (6-4, 6-4).
No. 117 Tacchi gave Wake Forest a commanding 3-1 lead as he earned a 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 win on court four.
Minutes later, Pow clinched the match behind a 6-3, 7-5 victory on court five.
- Of note, Pow is now on a five-match winning streak in dual singles play.
The two sides decided to play out the remainder of the match.
Georgia took second singles, before Thomson knocked off No. 77 Miguel Perez Pena on court three to close the contest.
No. 3 Wake Forest defeated Georgia, 5-2.

Singles Results
1. #25 Filippo Moroni (WFU) def. #54 Thomas Paulsell (UGA) 6-4, 6-4
2. #56 Ryan Colby (UGA) def. #53 DK Suresh Ekambaram (WFU) 7-5, 7-6 (7-5)
3. Matthew Thomson (WFU) def. #77 Miguel Perez Peña (UGA) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
4. #117 Luciano Tacchi (WFU) def. Niels Ratiu (UGA) 6-2, 1-6, 6-4
5. Luca Pow (WFU) def. Freddy Blaydes (UGA) 6-3, 6-5
6. Holden Koons (WFU) def. Cyrus Mahjoob (UGA) 6-3, 6-4

Doubles Results
1. #3 DK Suresh Ekambaram/Holden Koons (WFU) def. Freddy Blaydes/Thomas Paulsell (UGA) 6-2
2. #37 Ryan Colby/Niels Ratiu (UGA) def. Filippo Moroni/Matthew Thomson (WFU) 6-4
3. Cyrus Mahjoob/Miguel Perez Peña (UGA) def. Luca Pow/Luciano Tacchi (WFU) 6-3

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

From Coach Bresky
"This was a great road win. It was our first match outdoors, so we knew it would be tough, especially scheduling wise. Georgia is always tough, and they have a great environment down here. We didn't play our best in doubles. The transition takes a while, but I was glad to see our toughness in singles. We're excited to get the win." - Head coach Tony Bresky

Up Next
The Demon Deacons will now travel to face the defending back-to-back national champions, No. 7 Virginia on Friday, March 1. First serve is slated for 3 p.m.

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Team Stats

Players Mentioned

Holden Koons

Filippo Moroni

Luca Pow

DK Suresh Ekambaram

Luciano Tacchi

Matthew Thomson

Wake Forest Athletics