By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — The North Reading high boys’ tennis team improved to 3-0 on Tuesday afternoon as they edged guest Malden, 3-2, in a non-league match.
“That was a good win for us,” stated Hornets head coach Mark Bisognano. “Malden is always a tough match for us. We were also missing Aiden (Patel) who was visiting a college.”
At first singles, Roman Ton won 6-0, 6-1, while second-singles player, Parker Lee, won 6-1, 6-1.
Sameer Murthy also won in straight sets at third singles, 6-1, 6-4.
“Sameer was clutch at third singles,” said Bisognano “That match was closer than the final would indicate.”
In doubles action, the first team of Ricky Ho and Raffi Toby lost 7-6 (8-6 in the tiebreaker), 6-2. John Pastore and Connor Abruzzese, at second doubles, lost, 6-4, 6-3.
Malden is the defending Greater Boston League champs and are the favorites to win it again this year.
The day before, the Hornets nipped Pentucket, 3-2, also at home, in the team’s Cape Ann League opener.
This match started at 5 p.m. instead of 4 p.m. because of the eclipse.
Ton lost in three sets at first singles 6-2, 4-6, 4-3 (retired).
“He had some cramps that final set,” pointed out Bisognano.
Lee won 6-0, 6-2, at second singles while Abruzzese lost a tough one in three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4 in the tiebreaker).
“That was a close, evenly-matched competition,” said Bisognano.
Patel and Murthy won in shutout fashion, 6-0, 6-0, at first doubles while Toby and Ho did the same at second doubles.
“Our depth in doubles was the difference,” said Bisognano.
Both of the matches were rescheduled as they were originally supposed to have played Malden on April 3 and Pentucket on April 5.
North Reading will have the April Vacation Week off next week as they will not play again until April 24 when they host Lynnfield at 4 p.m.
