The No. 2-ranked Emory men's tennis team won its opening two matches of the Stag Hen Invitational on Friday, defeating a pair of nationally ranked foes. Playing on the campus of Pomona-Pitzer, the Eagles opened with an 8-1 decision over No. 27 Swarthmore College before posting a 6-3 triumph over No. 5 Bowdoin College.  Emory is 7-3 in dual action this spring.

Emory won all three doubles points against Swarthmore and continued its strong effort by capturing five of the six singles matches, three of them in straight sets.  Sophomore Ian Wagner and senior Elliot Kahler were impressive in notching an 8-2 win at No. 1 doubles and carried that into singles where Wagner topped Max Sacks, 6-1, 6-2, at No. 2, while Kahler came away with a 6-4, 6-2 triumph against Preston Poon at No. 3. 

The contest against the Polar Bears of Bowdoin saw Emory hold a 2-1 edge after doubles with Kahler and Wagner winning again at No. 1 while Ayush Bajoria and Will Adams accounted for the other point following their 8-4 verdict over Casey Grindon and Chris Lord at No. 3.  Emory winners in singles included Alex Ruderman at No. 2, Wagner at No. 3, Kahler at No. 4 and Adams at No. 6.

Emory closes out its participation at the Stag Hen Invitational when it battles No. 4 Clarmeont-Mudd Scripps (8-1) in the title match.  CMS defeated Case Western and No. 1 Kenyon on Friday by identical 9-0 scores.