Friday, January 22, 1999
Bruins ready for tough match against Tulane
MTENNIS: Team hopes to build on win record after weekend tennis
classic
By Dave Denicke
Daily Bruin Contributor
Friday at the Los Angeles Tennis Center, the fifth-ranked UCLA
men’s tennis team looks to build upon its early season success
against the Tulane Green Wave. While Tulane comes in ranked 28th in
the nation, UCLA has yet to hit on all cylinders thus far.
This past weekend, the Bruins experienced mixed results at the
National Collegiate Tennis Classic. Sophomore All-American
Jean-Noel Grinda took home the championship, upsetting top seed
Ryan Wolters on the way.
"I am surprised that my game is at that level, and am really
happy with it (the championship win)," said Grinda, speaking about
his first tournament title of 1999. "I’ve known Wolters for a long
time, and I knew that a win would really raise my confidence."
Another bright spot for the Bruins was the play of Jason Cook
and Brandon Kramer, who reached the semifinals of the doubles
competition.
Their play came as a pleasant surprise as the Bruins’ No. 2
tandem knocked off the third-seeded pair from Illinois, Cary
Franklin and Oliver Freelove, 9-8 in the quarterfinal.
"It’s good practice for the upcoming events. It’s great that
Jean Noel did well, but it really boils down to beating these teams
later down the line in the team competition," Cook said.
UCLA, however, also suffered a rash of early-round upsets. A
tough draw for UCLA led to three second round losses. In doubles
competition, Jean Noel Grinda and Jong-Min Lee could not overcome
USC’s doubles tandem of Ryan Moore and Nicholas Rainey, eventually
falling 9-7.
But the No. 5 team in the nation does not exactly limp into
Friday’s match against Tulane.
UCLA disposed of Fresno State last week, sweeping the singles
competition against the Bulldogs, who are ranked six notches higher
than the Green Wave.
While the singles lineup should not change from the Fresno State
match, Martin hinted that the doubles teams might be adjusted.
"Brandon and Jason showed that they are a good team, and that
they might be our No. 1 team," Martin said. "I think we’re going to
have to see who plays one and two by how these next few matches
go," Martin also hinted that the third doubles tandem of Zack
Fleishman and Noah Newman, who lost to Fresno State 8-3, might be
replaced by either Chris Sands or newcomer Marcin Rozpedski.
Regarding Tulane, Martin said, "I’m not sure 100 percent how
tough this team really is. They’ve had some very good players in
the past. They are getting better every year, and we’re looking
forward to playing them."
Grinda added, "I know their top two players are really good, and
the rest of the team is good as well. Their No. 1 player was an
NCAA finalist last year, so I know it will be a tough match; I’m
looking forward to it."
Doubles competition will begin at 1:30 p.m., followed by the six
singles matches.
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