Bruins put another feather in cap
M. tennis improves record to 6-0 with victory over Oregon
By Mark Shapiro
Daily Bruin Contributor
It was a match that had all opportunities to be exciting as the
UCLA men’s tennis team took on the University of Oregon at the Los
Angeles Tennis Center yesterday. With No. 1 Justin Gimelstob
playing a pro tournament in San Jose and No. 2 Srdjan Muskatirovic
sitting out the singles competition, the Ducks were provided with
the chance to be the hunter instead of the hunted.
So much for a sporting chance.
The Bruins unloaded both barrels at the hapless Ducks, waxing
them 7-0 to run their record to 6-0 on the year.
"We came out today and got the Ducks in our sights at point
blank range and basically killed them ," captain Heath Montgomery
said.
Junior Eric Taino, playing his first match at the top spot, gave
up more games than he had in his previous combined matches, but
still came up with a decisive 6-4, 6-1 victory over Dougal
Williams.
The most impressive result of the day came at the second
position, as sophomore Matt Breen made his first appearance on the
tennis center stadium courts in singles. He did not waste his time
in the limelight, as he posted a 6-0, 6-1 stomping of Hans
Forsberg.
"I didn’t expect it to be that easy at all," Breen said. "I was
just happy that I played really well today. I thought it would be a
bit tougher but I’m glad to come away with a win at the No. 2
position. I was at a higher level because I knew it was going to be
tough playing at No. 2. This was the best tennis of the year that I
played."
Junior Jason Thompson also made his first appearance on the
front courts at the No. 3 position and had a bit of a tougher time
of it in his 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 victory over Carlos Navarro.
"Jason didn’t look really sharp and I was hoping he would,
playing at No. 3 on the front courts," UCLA head coach Billy Martin
said.
At the other singles positions, Montgomery came up with a 6-3,
6-2 victory and at No. 6, Eric Lin came up with a 6-1, 6-0 win in
his first singles action of the season.
Freshman Vincent Allegre made his UCLA debut at the No. 5
position and came up with an easy 6-2, 6-1 victory over Jeff
Serone.
"I’m pretty glad because I didn’t know what to expect today,"
Allegre said. "I tried to focus on my game. I was pretty consistent
and I concentrated on my serve."
The doubles competition, which the Bruins swept, saw the debut
of another freshman, Darren Miller, who teamed with Allegre at the
third doubles position. The two players, still wet behind the ears,
came up with an 8-3 victory behind precise play and a raucous group
of fans.
"I was a little nervous at first but it was fun," Miller said.
"I couldn’t ask for much more."
FRED HE/Daily Bruin
Eric Lin had his first singles victory of the year against
Oregon.
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