RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The UC Irvine men's tennis team continued its winning ways with a 6-1 victory over UC Riverside in its Big West opener Saturday at the SRC Tennis Courts.
 
The Anteaters (6-6, 1-0 Big West) got out to a strong start in doubles with Brandon Park and Noah Zamora dispatching Justin Lamy/Joshua Roth at the top of the lineup. The UCI duo improved to 7-2 at No. 1.
 
Enrique Luque Rico and Thomas Smart followed suit, securing the early 1-0 lead with a 6-1 triumph over Antreas Djakouris/Ryan Huynh on court three. Luque Rico/Smart were making their dual-match debut as they were last in action as a doubles pair at the LMU Invitational back in November.
 
The 'Eaters kept the momentum in singles play where they took the first five matches before the Highlanders (5-11, 0-1 Big West) got on the board. Zamora was first off the court, making quick work of Roth at No. 3, 6-1, 6-1, for his fourth-straight victory.
 
Luque Rico also extended his win streak to six as he cruised past Daniel Velek, 6-0, 6-2, at No. 1. Luque Rico is now 5-0 at the top spot and has not dropped a set since March 3.
 
Park then clinched the match with another straight-set win at the second position where he upended 2022 All-Big West selection Djakouris, 6-1, 6-0.
 
Rithvik Krishna (No. 4) and Ali Amiri (No. 6) each won their fourth-straight singles match. Krishna defeated Lamy, 6-4, 6-0, while Amiri topped Matthew Yanuck, 6-3, 6-2.
 
UCR then picked up a point on court five where Aarav Sane outlasted Smart, 1-6, 6-4, 10-8.
 
UC Irvine has a busy week ahead, starting with home contests against non-conference foes Westcliff (March 28) and Saint Mary's (March 29). The Anteaters will then make their way to the islands to continue Big West play at Hawai'i.