Halfway through the second set of the main draw singles final for UCLA men’s tennis, freshman Mackenzie McDonald held a set and break over his teammate, senior Clay Thompson. It seemed likely that the first-year Bruin would cruise to a two-set win.
But Thompson displayed maturity, maintaining his composure and rebounding to win both the second and third sets, earning a come-from-behind victory over his freshman teammate in the Southern California Intercollegiate Championships.
“Coming in, I had everything to defend and nothing really to gain,” Thompson said. “I really just wanted to make him prove that he could beat me for two sets in a row. (McDonald) slipped up a little bit and I took advantage and I got pretty lucky.”
Coach Billy Martin said he thought part of Thompson’s success was due to his ability to stay calm despite facing apparent defeat.
“I expected it to be fairly close; both guys had the potential to win. I think Clay did a better job of being a little bit more resilient with his mind and being down a set and two love,” Martin said. “Mackie never forgave himself for not closing it out.”
Despite falling short in the singles final, McDonald did not leave the Los Angeles Tennis Center empty handed. Immediately following his match with Thompson, he returned to the court to play with redshirt sophomore Karue Sell in the doubles final, where the two downed fellow teammates freshman Joseph Di Giulio and sophomore Ryoto Tachi to win the title.
“Playing Clay, I know that was a big match today. I don’t think I handled it as well I could have. I was more confident in the doubles,” McDonald said. “It helped that I had a partner out there to pump me up.”
After Saturday’s semifinals, the Bruins were guaranteed titles in both doubles and singles, since UCLA players had knocked all other schools out of the competition. And to add to the singles and doubles titles, sophomore Seth Stolar secured the consolation title.
However, both McDonald and Thompson must look past this weekend’s victories as they shift their attention toward USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. The tournament, which starts on Thursday, is the last tournament of the fall.
“This (win) is a really big confidence booster and it puts in perspective that I had a good fall and I’ve lived up to all my expectations,” Thompson said. “Now I get to let loose and see what happens in New York. I don’t have anything to defend there.”