WALTHAM, Mass. – Helped by a sweep in doubles, the Boston University men's tennis team opened the dual season with a 5-2 victory over Merrimack at the Waltham Athletic Club.

The Terriers (1-0) won all three doubles matches by a combined score of 19-11 and then captured four singles points, including three in straight sets, against the Warriors (0-1).

Reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Year Corey Craig and fellow sophomore Jakob Esterowitz, a transfer from Amherst, teamed together for a 6-3 doubles win at line 3 and then captured a pair of singles points. Senior Jonah Dickson also went 2-0 on the day, teaming with junior Cole Knutsen for a 7-6 win before adding a singles point of his own.

Craig cruised in his first set and broke late to avoid a third set in the top slot for a 6-1, 7-5 win. Esterowitz rallied from a set down to earn a 5-7, 6-4, 10-3 victory at line 3. Dickson rolled to a 6-1, 6-3, win on court 6, and senior Ben Letzer dropped the fewest matches with a 6-2, 6-1, win at line 4.

Seniors Johann Sajonz and Jose Maria Robalino saw action in doubles and rolled to a 6-2 victory in the No. 2 slot.

The Wrriors avoided the sweep in two tightly-contested singles matches with a 6-4, 6-4 win at line 2 against Knutsen and 7-5, 6-4 victory over junior Dion Loutas.

The Terriers will next trek to Dartmouth for a doubleheader on Sunday (Jan. 28) starting at 10 a.m.

Boston University - 5, Merrimack - 2

SINGLES
1) Corey Craig (BU) def. Aryaan Bhatia (Merrimack): 6-1, 7-5
2) Henrik Lindermn (Merrimack) def. Cole Knutsen (BU): 6-4, 6-4
3) Jakob Esterowitz (BU) def. Charles Robertson (Merrimack): 5-7, 6-4, 10-3
4) Ben Letzer (BU) def. Valentin Riveros (Merrimack): 6-2, 6-1
5) Jack Brimm (Merrimack) def. Dion Loutas (BU): 7-5, 6-4
6) Jonah Dickson (BU) def. Matt Scott (Merrimack): 6-1, 6-3
 
DOUBLES
1) Dickson/Knutsen (BU) def. Bhatia/Robertson (Merrimack): 7-6
2) Johann Sajonz / Jose Maria Robalino (BU) def. Brimm/Queiroz (Merrimack): 6-2
3) Esterowitz/Craig (BU) def. Riveros/Lindeman ((Merrimack): 6-3