The Harvard men's tennis team got in some much-needed tune-up work in anticipation of next week's ECAC championships, showcasing some strong individual performances at the Hurricane Invitational this weekend in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Meanwhile, freshman Nivedita Jerath made the final of the "B" flight at the UNC Invitational, as the women opened their 1999 campaign in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Harvard men

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Seven teams, all of which were ranked nationally as of last spring, competed in the flighted singles and doubles tournament, including Harvard opponents Southern Methodist, Tulsa and Texas Christian.

"The weekend was exactly what we wanted," said Harvard Coach Dave Fish. "We got to play good, tough, well-trained players, got to see the results of the things we've been working on and see what we still have in front of us to

learn."

On Friday, the Crimson tied the SMU Mustangs, which were ranked No. 11 last year, four-and-four, sweeping the doubles but taking only one of five singles matches. Senior co-captain Joe Green paired up with junior Andrew Styperek to defeat Gerard Mulas and Genius Chidzikwe 8-6 at No. 1 doubles. Freshman Dave Lingman, playing in his first intercollegiate match, teamed with sophomore William Lee to beat Ryan Mauck and Keith Orie 8-4, and the sweep was completed by juniors Mike Rich and Anthony Barker, who defeated Alexis Rudzinski and Lee Oporto 8-5 at No. 3 doubles.

Singles for Harvard was a different story. Only Mike Rich at No. 5 won, defeating Keith Orie 7-6 (7-3), 6-4. Mulas defeated Lee 6-3, 6-1, and Lee's partner Lingman lost to Rudzinski 6-3, 6-4. At No. 2, Green was defeated by Chidzikwe in two sets, and Ryan Mauck beat Barker 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.