AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn men’s tennis opened its 2026 dual match season with a pair of victories over Bellarmine on Saturday at the Yarbrough Tennis Center. The Tigers did not drop a match on the day, earning wins by scores of 7-0 and 5-0.
“It was great to get some match time on the court,” Auburn head coach Bobby Reynolds said after the doubleheader sweep. “You’re shaking off rust and competing in front of a crowd that’s close to you while working through things. I think we did a really good job, especially at No. 1 doubles where we got a couple of convincing wins, which set the tone and allowed the other guys to relax and settle in.”
Auburn got off to a quick start in the opening match as Nicholas Heng and Joey Phillips earned a 6-0 win at No. 1 doubles. The Tigers followed with 6-2 victories on each of the other two courts to secure the doubles point.
Auburn freshman Manel Lazaro dominated in his collegiate debut, defeating Alex English 6-1, 6-0, while Heng carried his momentum into singles with a 6-0, 6-0 win on court three to give the Tigers a 3-0 advantage. Senior Thomas Kennedy jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the opening set on court six before taking it 6-3. Kennedy and Colby Berson were tied 3-3 in the second set before Kennedy won the final three games to clinch the match and the team victory.
After the match was decided, Phillips, Billy Blaydes and Hamza Nasridinov each picked up straight-set wins to complete the shutout.
Heng and Phillips again looked dominant at No. 1 doubles in the second match, posting another 6-0 victory. Thomas Kennedy and Lazaro, playing doubles together for the first time on court three, earned a 6-1 win to secure the doubles point.
Heng started fast in singles against Ryan Parkins, winning the first three games before cruising to a 6-1, 6-0 victory for his second singles win of the day. Moments later, Kennedy followed with a 6-1, 6-0 win to give Auburn a 3-0 lead.
Lazaro added a 6-1, 6-0 win on court five to clinch the match, and Phillips closed out the sweep with a straight-set victory at No. 3 singles for the 5-0 final.
Up next, the 2-0 Tigers will host Liberty at 10 a.m. followed by Alabama A&M at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Yarbrough Tennis Center. Saturday’s “Doubles & Donuts” themed match will feature free donuts for fans while supplies last.
Auburn 7, Bellarmine 0
Singles Results:
- #40 Hamza Nasridinov (AUB) def. Matthew Nice (BELL) 7-5, 6-3
- #36 Billy Blaydes (AUB) def. Eli Wood (BELL) 7-5, 6-1
- Nicholas Heng (AUB) def. Sebastian Baumann (BELL) 6-0, 6-0
- Joey Phillips (AUB) def. Ryan Parkins (BELL) 7-5, 6-4
- Manel Lazaro (AUB) def. Alex English (BELL) 6-1, 6-0
- Thomas Kennedy (AUB) def. Colby Berson (BELL) 6-3, 6-3
Doubles Results:
- Nicholas Heng/Joey Phillips (AUB) def. Matthew Nice/Vineet Ramesh (BELL) 6-0
- Manel Lazaro/Billy Blaydes (AUB) def. Eli Wood/Ryan Parkins (BELL) 6-2
- Hamza Nasridinov/Jake Kennedy (AUB) def. Sebastian Baumann/Alex English (BELL) 6-2
Time of match: 2:21 Order of Finish: Doubles: 1,2,3; Singles: 5,3,6,4,2,1 Official: Donna Jerome
Auburn 5, Bellarmine 0
Singles Results:
- #36 Billy Blaydes (AUB) vs. Matthew Nice (BELL) 6-2, 2-3, unfinished
- #40 Hamza Nasridinov (AUB) vs. Sebastian Baumann (BELL) 6-2, 5-2, unfinished
- Joey Phillips (AUB) def. Vineet Ramesh (BELL) 6-3, 7-5
- Nicholas Heng (AUB) def. Ryan Parkins (BELL) 6-1, 6-0
- Manel Lazaro (AUB) def. Colby Berson (BELL) 6-1, 6-0
- Thomas Kennedy (AUB) def. Alex English (BELL) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles Results:
- #49 Nicholas Heng/Joey Phillips (AUB) def. Matthew Nice/Eli Wood (BELL) 6-0
- Billy Blaydes/Hamza Nasridinov (AUB) vs. Vineet Ramesh/Ryan Parkins (BELL) 5-2, unfinished
- Thomas Kennedy/Manel Lazaro (AUB) def. Sebastian Baumann/Colby Berson (BELL) 6-1
Time of match: 2:31 Order of finish: Doubles: 1,3; Singles: 4,6,5,3; Official: Donna Jerome