TEANECK, N.J. -- The Fairleigh Dickinson men's tennis team took care of business on Sunday in its 2013 home opener, sweeping Saint Francis University, 7-0, at the FDU Tennis Courts. With the victory, the Knights improve to 3-4 (1-1 NEC) on the season, while the Red Flash falls to 5-9 (1-2 NEC) overall.

FDU jumped out to early 1-0 lead after winning the doubles' point by taking two of the three matches. At No. 1 sophomore Arvis Berzins (Adazi, Latvia/Riga Language School) and senior Ibrahim Shams (Cairo, Egypt/Manor House) narrowly won over Washi Gervais and Sergio Carvajal, 8-6, while seniors Mark Hemy (Suffolk, England/Ipswich School) and Peter Skvarka (Banska Bystrica, Slovakia/Gymnazium J.G. Tajovskeho) clinched the point with an 8-5 victory over Andres Rosa and Lawson Bater at No. 2.

In singles play, the Knights won every match in straight sets, as they combined to outscored SFU, 73-19, over the 12 sets. Berzins cruised at No. 1 with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Gervais, and Berzins had no trouble at No. 2 against Rosa, winning 6-3, 6-1.

At No. 3, senior Yuri Gricheno (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Colegio Amorim) defeated Carvajal, 7-5, 6-3, while Hemy took care of Bater at No. 4, 6-2, 6-1. Freshman Markus Sjoberg (Tyreso, Sweden/Varmdo Gymnasium) won 6-2, 6-1 at No. 5 over Juan Pardo, and Skvarka was dominating over Chris Jimenez at No. 6, 6-0, 6-0.

“The men had a strong showing today, which was good to see in our first outdoor match,” Head Coach Jonathan Buchman said. “There are certainly things we need to continue and improve upon, and I am sure that we will.”

FDU will return to action on Wednesday, March 27 when it travels to Fairfield, Conn. to take on Sacred Heart in NEC play. First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m.