Top Bruin duo looking for revenge at Rolex

Top Bruin duo looking for revenge at Rolex

Netters Chi, Phebus look to turn tables on top-ranked Pace

By Chris Isidro

Life is all about second chances.

For UCLA netters Jane Chi and Keri Phebus, the Rolex National
Indoor Championships beginning today in Dallas will be an
opportunity to redeem themselves against one Kelly Pace.

The Texas senior, No. 3 at the time, swept past both Bruins to
claim the All-American Invitational in October and catapulted to
the top of the rankings. But this weekend could prove to be
different as the quick surface at the Brookhaven Country Club will
favor the power games of Chi and Phebus.

"I feel like they will be real tough to beat because they both
play aggressively and hit the ball real hard," Pace said of her
Bruin counterparts. "The courts for the All-American were a bit
slower and that helped me because it gave me a little more time to
get to their shots, but I see them both being very dangerous on the
indoor courts in Dallas.

"Jane, as much as she serves and volleys, her serve is going to
be a big weapon in there and Keri’s ground strokes are really
strong so they will be tough on fast courts," she added.

UCLA, this week in practice, had the Texas senior on the front
burner as head coach Bill Zaima served Chi and Phebus with slice
backhands, a favorite weapon of Pace and Longhorn teammate No. 4
Lucie Ludvigova.

"When Keri and I were working out earlier today and we were just
banging out the ball, she was right there," Zaima said. "But when
we were throwing that underspin stuff out, she had to work a lot
harder."

Phebus, fresh off her first collegiate title at the Pac-10
Indoor Championships, heads to Dallas with the confidence of a
winner. Despite losing five consecutive tourney finals, she says
those hard lessons will only help her become a better player.

"That win felt good, it had been a long time ­ since the
juniors," Phebus said. "But I gained a lot of character and
perseverance and I learned more from losing than I would have if I
won those tournaments."

She is also licking her chops at the chance to battle Pace, who
was victorious 6-2, 6-1 in their last meeting at the All-American
finals.

"I lost to her at the Riviera and I didn’t play very well,"
Phebus said. "So I’d like the opportunity to play her again because
my game right now is a lot better."

While it may take some doing for that wish to materialize ­
the 32 player field includes 18 of the nation’s top 20 ­ Pace
looks to hold her end of the bargain. One of the toughest
competitors in all of tennis, Pace can turn a ripple of momentum
into a victorious tidal wave.

"I think Kelly Pace has a great demeanor and I really do respect
her game," Zaima said of her tenacious court attitude. "She almost
comes across as being mean, but she’s very much a Southern lady off
the court."

Despite the talent-laden field, the nation’s No. 1 player is not
about to count herself out.

"Since the All-American Tournament, I realize that if I play
really good tennis that I have a shot to take this or any other
tournament," Pace said. "So I am looking to win this week."

The Bruins will also have two doubles tandems competing in the
16 team field. The sixth ranked Chi sisters and No. 8 Phebus/Susie
Starrett will thrive on the fast courts this weekend.

"The doubles bracket looks wide open right now," Zaima said.
"The hot team is going to win."

One issue which concerns Zaima is the number of matches Chi and
Phebus will play this weekend as they are both entered in singles
and doubles.

"The factor that may decide the doubles is how far they go in
singles," he said.