CLEMSON, S.C. -- Furman fell, 6-1, to Clemson Saturday in the season opener for both teams at the Duckworth Family Tennis Facility in Clemson, S.C.

Freshman Jamie Connel scored for the Paladins at flight two singles, defeating Yizhou Liu, 6-1, 6-4. 

The Tigers won two out of three doubles matches to take the opening point.  Ryuhei Azuma and Spencer Whitaker defeated sophomore Emily Westling and senior James Roelofse, 6-4, at flight two, and the duo of Maxwell Smith and Jorge Plans Gonzalez beat freshmen Cole Burnam and Connor Laymon, 6-2, at number three.  The flight one match was unfinished, with Liu and Teodor Giusca of Clemson leading senior Ivan Mitric and Connel, 5-4.

Azuma topped Mitric, 6-3, 6-1, in the top-seeded singles contest, while Whitaker held off freshman Elijah Poritzky, 7-5, 6-3, at flight three.  At number four, Plans Gozalez posted a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Roelofse, and Matt Pitts defeated Westling, 6-1, 6-0, at number five.  Smith scored a 6-2, 6-1 advantage versus senior Drew Singerman at flight six.

Furman (0-1) begins an eight-match home stand when the Paladins entertain Georgia Southern on January 23 at 2 p.m.  The Paladins' match versus Davidson, scheduled for Sunday in Greenville, has been postponed due to the threat of inclement weather.
 

Clemson 6, Furman 1

Singles competition

1. Ryuhei Azuma (CLE) def. Ivan Mitric (FU) 6-3, 6-1

2. Jamie Connel (FU) def. Yizhou Liu (CLE) 6-1, 6-4

3. Spencer Whitaker (CLE) def. Elijah Poritzky (FU) 7-5, 6-3

4. Jorge Plans Gonzalez (CLE) def. James Roelofse (FU) 6-2, 6-3

5. Matt Pitts (CLE) def. Emil Westling (FU) 6-1, 6-0

6. Maxwell Smith (CLE) def. Drew Singerman (FU) 6-2, 6-1

Doubles competition

1. Yizhou Liu/Teodor Giusca (CLE) vs. Ivan Mitric/Jamie Connel (FU) 5-4, unfinished

2. Ryuhei Azuma/Spencer Whitaker (CLE) def. Emil Westling/James Roelofse (FU) 6-4

3. Maxwell Smith/Jorge Plans Gonzalez (CLE) def. Cole Burnam/Connor Laymon (FU) 6-4