California Irvine Athletics

UC Irvine (0-0) at
No. 12 UCLA (0-0)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 17
Time: 1 p.m. (PST)
Location: Los Angeles Tennis Center - Los Angeles, Calif.
Match Notes

IRVINE, Calif. - For the second year in a row, UC Irvine men's tennis will kick off the dual-match season against UCLA. The Anteaters head to Los Angeles for their opener against the 12th-ranked Bruins on Saturday, Jan. 17. First serve is set for 1 p.m.

Below are five things to know ahead of UCI's 2026 season opener this weekend.


BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPS
UC Irvine is coming off its second-straight Big West Championship, and third in the last four years (2022, 2024, 2025). Since 2022, the Anteaters have compiled a 65-28 dual match record. During that stretch, they also produced six All-Big West doubles teams, and 16 all-conference selections in singles, with eight being first-team honorees. This season, UCI is hoping to continue its recent success with a slightly different look. Although they have five returners who played a big role in the 2025 title run, the 'Eaters graduated several members of the core group from the last four years, including Big West Player of the Year Noah Zamora.

"Our focus is always on process and growth, things we can control," head coach Mike Saunders said. "This team is better than they realize, both individually and collectively. This year, there will be an emphasis on cultivating our self-belief."

HIROKI'S RETURN
Graduate student Hiroki Sakagawa led UCI to the 2024 Big West Championship as he delivered the match-clinching singles victory in both the semifinal and final. In 2025, Sakagawa was leading from the sideline as he missed the dual-match campaign with an injury. He is the only member of this year's squad that was on the team for each of the Anteaters' last two conference titles. The experience and maturity that he brings will be vital for the 'Eaters who have five underclassmen, including three true freshmen.

"Hiroki brings belief, experience, leadership, and professionalism," Saunders said. "He's the kind of teammate that inspires those around him to work harder, smarter, and believe in themselves. He's helped us build the positive culture we have today, and he will help show our younger players what it really takes to be their best."

YEAR TWO
Graduate student Sohrob Amiryavari, junior Max Fardanesh, and sophomore Ruining Huang return for their second year with the Anteaters after playing a significant role in the team's 2025 Big West Championship. Fardanesh led the trio, earning All-Big West honorable mention recognition in singles. He went 12-3 in dual matches and 5-0 in conference. Fardanesh closed out the year on an eight-match win streak, including three straight-set victories at the conference tournament. Amiryavari finished his first campaign in the Blue & Gold with nine wins, capped by a 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Blake Kasady of seventh-ranked San Diego in the NCAA Tournament, while Huang had eight victories playing primarily at the fourth position as a true freshman.

"Max, Rob, and Ruining all stepped up and were clutch last season when we needed them most," Saunders said. "We would not have won the conference tournament without them. They continue to improve significantly as players and competitors. They understand that at this level, getting better is about dedication to the details."

BIG TIME ADDITIONS
Graduate transfers have been key to UC Irvine's recent success, and this year will be no different as the Anteaters add depth and experience with Rohan Sachdev and Tal Goodman. Sachdev comes to UCI from Georgia Tech, which was ranked for a majority of his three seasons with the program. Sachdev was also a member of the Yellow Jackets' 2024 NCAA Tournament team. Goodman spent the last four years at Penn where he was ranked as high as 74th in doubles. Last year, the Quakers went 21-9 and finished the season ranked 50th in the nation.

"Grad transfers like Tal and Rohan are so valuable," Saunders said. "Both come from ranked programs with positive team cultures. While they have been Anteaters for only four months, both are such supportive and selfless teammates, it seems like they have been on this team for four years. Their success, big-time college tennis experience and maturity will galvanize our unity and belief. We expect both Tal and Rohan to assume leadership roles." 

ENTERING THE MIX
The 'Eaters also have four local underclassmen in sophomore Mason Bui, and true freshmen Nathaniel Suh, Alex Guajardo, and Greg Gamal. Suh and Guajardo are both five-star recruits, while Gamal was an all-Orange County selection at Villa Park High School, where he led the Spartans to the program's first appearance in the CIF-Southern Section final. Bui, who played in two dual matches last year, was a league champion and two-time CIF Ojai semifinalist at Yorba Linda High School.

"Mason, Alex, Nate, and Greg are contributing and making an impact everyday with their enthusiasm, gratitude, and inspired work ethic," Saunders said. "We are excited to have them, and they are motivated to help make us better. They will give us the depth and competitiveness needed to win championships."