Billy Martin has a problem. But at least it’s a good
problem to have.
His UCLA men’s tennis team is 4-0, coming off an emotional
4-3 win over USC last Friday, and preparing to head to the National
Team Indoors in Seattle.
However, some of the lineup still isn’t set. While Tobias
Clemens is a no-brainer at the No. 1 position and Philipp Gruendler
and Aaron Yovan have staked their respective claims to No. 5 and
No. 6, questions remain in the middle.
Juniors Chris Lam, Alberto Francis and Kris Kwinta seem to be
almost interchangeable at No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4.
Though Lam has played No. 2 in the team’s first four
matches, that spot isn’t guaranteed. Lam struggled in a loss
to Jamil Al-Agba of USC, while Francis won and Kwinta lost in a
third set tie-break.
“From a coaching standpoint, I throw my arms up a little
bit,” coach Billy Martin said. “Not that I think that
Chris Lam can’t do the job, but both Francis and Kwinta are
showing that they’re ready to play, and they’re winning
at their positions.”
Playing position is important in terms of reaching the NCAA
individual championships.
“They want to make the NCAA championships, and I want them
to make it,” Martin said. “But it’s a lot harder
to make it playing No. 4, than if you’re playing No. 2 or
3.”
The Bruin coach said that this problem will be addressed and
settled further down the road, when each player has played a few
more matches.
STREAKING: Though senior All-American Clemens
has won 20 consecutive singles matches, a streak dating back to
Oct. 23, 2003, there’s something besides individual success
that brings him happiness.
“As long as the team is winning, I don’t
care,” he said.
Clemens will be looking to help the Bruins win this weekend at
the National Team Indoors in Seattle ““ though he
doesn’t expect the streak to make it through the rain.
“At national indoors there are so many great, great
players, especially at the No. 1 position,” he said. “I
don’t think the win streak will last through the week, but if
it does, I’ll be even happier.”
Clemens will face Kentucky’s Jesse Witten, the No. 16
player in the country, in the team’s first round match
Thursday. He defeated Witten, 7-6(2), 6-4, in the first round of
last year’s indoors.