In the regular season opener yesterday, the Harvard tennis team defeated M.I.T., 8-1. A clean sweep of all six singles matches in straight sets highlighted the victory.

"Their number one player, Bill Williams, is only a freshman and shows great promise, but Bill Washaner was just too experienced for him. It was more or less the same all the way down the line," coach Jack Barnaby said.

Birthday boy Joe Cavanagh had little trouble with his shoulder as he breezed to a 6-2, 6-2 victory at number three. "Joe uses a lot of finesse for someone who's so strong." Engineer Steve Bricker said. "I just couldn't keep up with the puck. it was as simple as that."

Dave Fish at number two, and Randy Barnett, Bill Brock and Peter Briggs at four through six all won handily. Brock and Briggs both registered a love set.

Harvard's only defeat came at first doubles where Williams and Steve Cross swept past Washauer and Dick Berner, 6-3 and 6-4. "Dick and I have never played together before, and he's had a stomach virus all week. Williams and Cross were playing especially well. If Dick gets better I'm sure we'll have a much better showing against Brown." Washaner said. He added that his knee wasn't bothering his playing at all.

The Cavanagh-Fish doubles team was given a rest. Jim Esserman and Howie Conant teamed up for a 6-3, 6-2 victory, and Barnett and Bill Rauch triumphed four and one.

"This year's team is the strongest since I've been here, and the next two matches should get us in shape for Princeton, Columbia and Penn next week. Last year's matches with Brown and Williams were closer than the lopsided scores would indicate, and Williams should be tough," captain Washauer said."

Harvard travels to Brown on Thursday and will host Williams on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.