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No. 6 UCLA men’s tennis team beats Boise State in blowout win, 7-0

Junior Alex Brigham’s singles victory was one of many impressive performances in UCLA’s 7-0 win over Boise State on Sunday. The match was the Bruins’ last before the USTA/ITA National Indoor Championships, which begins on Thursday.

MEN’S TENNIS
UCLA 7
Boise State 0

By Rohan Popat

Feb. 14, 2011 3:03 a.m.

Boise State is known for a blue sporting surface in its famed all-blue football field. On Sunday, the UCLA men’s tennis team welcomed Boise State to the blue courts of the Los Angeles Tennis Center, before proceeding to shut out the Broncos.

The 7-0 UCLA win had early indications of being competitive but turned into little more than a tune-up for next week’s USTA/ITA National Indoor Tournament.

Despite tinkering doubles teams and shuffling around the singles lineup, UCLA’s yield was the same: a victory.

The No. 6 Bruins started by taking the doubles point, which had previously eluded them. In singles play, the Bruins received strong performances throughout their lineup, including decisive victories from senior captain Amit Inbar and junior Alex Brigham.

Brigham showcased aggressive play in his win over Nathan Sereke, who he had some familiarity with having beaten him in a tournament earlier in the year.

“I felt confident and I knew how to play him, so I was very aggressive and when he gave me short balls, I was getting up to net and finishing points quickly,” Brigham said.

The singles matches showed the Bruins were ready to be rid of Boise State and move on to their next challenge, the more arduous task of playing in the ITA National Indoor Tournament. If they hope for continued success they will need to be sharper in doubles play, a statement echoed by coach Billy Martin.

“I knew doubles would be a concern coming into the season and we are going to have to raise our level,” Martin said. “We are going to see very soon how we measure up against the top teams at Indoors, but for today I’m happy with the win.”

Inbar was confident that UCLA would address its struggles in time for Indoors.

“We are good singles players,” Inbar said. “We just have to pick it up in doubles so we have an easier path to victory in our matches. Still, I am very happy. I don’t think we have been undefeated heading into indoors since I have been at UCLA, so it’s a very good feeling.”

It’s also a great feeling for Martin. Despite being in his 27th season, he remains amazed by the performance of this year’s squad given early-season uncertainty.

“We are 7-0,” Martin said. “If someone had told me that at the beginning of the year, I wouldn’t have believed them. But this team has continued to surprise me.”

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