M. tennis aims to break Trojans

Friday, April 12, 1996

USC doubles lineup could mean trouble in today’s match-upBy Mark
Shapiro

Daily Bruin Staff

There’s a little extra adrenaline flowing, a little more mustard
on the serve and a little more pace on the ground strokes. There’s
a little something extra going on with the UCLA men’s tennis team
because the USC Trojans are coming to town for the first and only
time this year in a 1:30 p.m. match-up today at the LATC.

For the second weekend in a row, UCLA finds itself engaged in
one of the feature matchups on the national tennis scene. Since
men’s tennis became an NCAA sport, this has been one of the finest
yearly battles going, as both teams have brought tremendous quality
to the table and immense spirit to the court.

"We always have such competitive matches, it’s just a matter of
who wants it more," UCLA head coach Billy Martin said. "There’s
always a little more pride when we play against USC."

As usual, USC comes in ranked in the top 10, at No. 8, but this
time it brings one of the best talents in the nation to the fore.
Freshman Cecil Mamiit has been on a tear all year, going 28-2,
winning the Rolex Invitational and reaching the finals of the
Dallas Indoors. By virtue of this excellence in his freshman
campaign, Mamiit has spent most of the season ranked No. 1 in the
nation and has only recently dropped to No. 2.

UCLA has the perfect foil for Mamiit in the form of its own
superstar, sophomore Justin Gimelstob. Gimelstob is ranked third in
the nation and, in one of the best matches of the year to date,
defeated Mamiit in their only head-to-head battle in a thrilling
three-setter at USC.

Below Mamiit, the Trojans boast a well-stocked, veteran lineup.
At the second spot is senior Adam Peterson, who spent much of last
season ranked in the top 15 in the nation, but this year has
slipped badly and stands at the 77th spot. The Trojans also boast
Manuel Ramirez, who is ranked 56th.

The Bruin lineup will most likely be at full strength come match
time. Senior Srdjan Muskatirovic and freshman Vincent Allegre have
recovered from their respective ailments and will resume playing at
the two and six spots, respectively, and Eric Taino will return to
the third spot, having shaken off the ill effects of the flu.

The fourth spot will be held down by Matt Breen, who has been on
a tear lately, and the fifth spot will most likely go to junior
Jason Thompson.

"All the way down the ladder they’re really strong," Martin
said. "We have a chance to win at every spot but there is no
given."

The Trojans also have a tremendous doubles lineup with two teams
in the top 50 in the nation, and considering the Bruins recent
trouble in doubles play, this could pose a problem.

SCOTT O/Daily Bruin

Matt Breen has been on a tear of late for the UCLA men’s tennis
team and will hold down the No. 4 spot against USC today.