Hanover Park, Ill. - The Wheaton Thunder men's tennis team (1-0) opened its 2019 campaign on Friday night with a season-opening match against University of St. Francis (Ill.) at Centre Court Athletic Club. Wheaton topped the Fighting Saints 5-4, thanks to a 2-1 edge for the Thunder in doubles action. The two squads split the six singles matches with three wins apiece.

Wheaton's two doubles victories proved crucial tonight. Anderson Park and Alexander Winters teamed for an 8-2 victory at No. 2 doubles against the Saints' team of Mike Hasler and Miguel Rayos del Sol. Jack Guenther and Jacob Panjwani picked up an 8-6 victory at No. 3 doubles against the USF tandem of Fernando Turiel and Thomas Schieffer.

Park was a 6-1, 6-1 winner at No. 1 singles against St. Francis' Ian Millan Vetokhin. Panjwani rallied to defeat Miguel Rayos del Sol 5-7, 6-4, 1-0 (10-8) at No. 3 singles. Christopher Jones topped Martin Rayos del Sol 6-1, 6-1 at No. 6 singles.

Wheaton travels to Lake Geneva, Illinois next weekend to participate in the UW-Whitewater Tournament. Wheaton faces Grinnell College next Friday afternoon. The Thunder take on the host Warhawks of UW-Whitewater and Ohio Wesleyan on Saturday in the tournament's final day.