MIDDLETOWN, CT. – The No. 24 Wesleyan men's tennis team opened the fall competition circuit, sparring with No. 11 Babson College on Friday evening as freshman Tommy Jani '29 fought to the very end to bring Wesleyan to a 3-4 final from the John Wood Memorial Courts.

Ushering in a new era of leadership, head coach Roland Thornqvist made his debut at the helm of the men's tennis program and shook up the lineup. Welcoming an incoming class of four, Chase Burke, Ryuto Saito, Nicky Hermes, and Jani all debuted in a Cardinal uniform.

While the Beavers swept doubles play, the Cardinals fought tooth and nail to win back three final points made available to them. Max Litton '26 forced a third set at No. 6, picking up second and third set wins after Ryan Patrick caught an early lead with a first set win. Litton's final settled at 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. At No. 3, Tai MacDonald '26 fell to Rishi Batlanki in set one but rallied to claim two in a row. MacDonald clawed his way to a 12-10 third set, finishing with a 3-6, 7-6, 12-10 final.

Sitting at No. 5, Jani was in the middle of a third set tiebreak with Max Zlobinsky when the Beavers clocked a fourth and final point. Jani and Zlobinsky played out the remainder of the match, grinding out a 10-8 set final after Zlobinsky tied the match at one and forced set three. Jani finished with the 7-5, 6-7 (6), 12-10 victory.

The Cardinals return to action on Friday, Sept. 26, for the MIT Invite in Cambridge.