JONATHAN YOUNG/Daily Bruin Lassi Ketola has
solidified the No. 6 singles spot for the men’s tennis team.
By Gilbert Quiñonez
Daily Bruin contributor
[email protected]
It all came down to court No. 6.
Last year’s NCAA quarterfinal tennis match between No. 2
UCLA and No. 7 Southern Methodist was tied 3-3. At No. 6 singles,
UCLA’s Travis Rettenmaier was going into a third-set
tiebreaker that would determine which team would go to the
semifinals.
Unfortunately for the Bruins, Rettenmaier lost the tiebreaker
7-5, allowing SMU to pull the upset.
This season, Lassi Ketola has been starting at No. 6 singles for
most of the year. While the No. 6 player is often overlooked
because the No. 1 and No. 2 starters attract more interest, last
year’s quarterfinal shows just how important the No. 6
starter is.
“I’ll take Lassi in that situation,” team
captain Erfan Djahangiri said. “He’s proven he can do
it.”
Ketola was put in similar situation earlier this season. The
Bruins were tied 3-3 against USC, and the focus shifted to the
remaining match ““ a third set between Ketola and Trojan
Daniel Langre. Ketola’s 6-3 third set triumph gave the Bruins
the match and bragging rights over USC, whom they beat twice out of
three times this year.
“It feels good to be the one to win it,” Ketola
said. “That’s when you get the attention.”
“Playing against ‘SC is really hard,”
Djahangiri said. “The crowd is tough, and they play good
tennis. I’m proud of him.”
Ketola’s importance will be taken to a higher level
starting Saturday, when the Bruins continue their quest for a
National Championship with a round of 16 match versus Florida.
“Everybody has a great No. 1 player and a good No.
2,” UCLA head coach Billy Martin said. “The quality
starts to drop at No. 3 at No. 4. Championships are won at No. 5
and No. 6.”
Stanford is a perennial contender, winning five of the last
seven NCAA titles. However, the lack of a quality No. 6 came back
to haunt the No. 5 Cardinal in the NCAA regionals.
Washington was ranked No. 35 nationally. Still, as Martin said,
every team is strong at No. 1 and 2, where Washington won matches
after winning the doubles point. Stanford won at No. 3, 4, and 5
but lost at No. 6 giving the Huskies the upset.
“A really strong No. 6 is critical,” Martin said.
“If you give the point away, you give up 25 percent of what
the other team needs to win.”
Ketola has been really strong this year, compiling a 33-13
record. While growing up in Finland, he won the Under-12, Under-14,
Under-16, Under-18 and Under-20 championships. While this may seem
impressive, Ketola doesn’t think too highly of it.
“I was No. 1 in Finland,” Ketola said. “Nobody
cares. Tennis wasn’t that big in Finland when I was there.
There weren’t any good players.”
Ketola’s success at No. 6 singles isn’t the only way
he helps the team.
“Lassi is an inspirational leader,” freshman Nick
Kreiss said. “He is a stress reliever. His strong work ethic
has led to his consistency.”
“There are so many difficult personalities on this
team,” junior Jean-Julien Rojer said. “You’ve got
to have Lassi to help everyone get along.”
The Bruins enter the remaining field of 16 being the fourth
highest ranked team. The Bruins will need Ketola to play as he has
all year.
“When he steps on to court, he gives 100 percent and is
ready to fight,” assistant coach Jason Sher said.
“Every match counts. You can’t win a National
Championship with a weak spot.”