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  COURTNEY STEWART Sophomore Lassi Ketola charges the net in a previous match. [SPORT] PREVIEW vs. UCLA vs. USC Today 1:30 p.m. Marks Stadium

By Greg Schain

Daily Bruin Contributor

The No. 1 UCLA men’s tennis team will try to continue its undefeated season when the Bruins visit No. 23 USC this afternoon.

If the Bruins (8-0) play their best, then they should have no problem disposing of the Trojans (7-1). And right now they are hot. The Bruins’ last match was a win against former No. 1 Stanford in the finals of the ITA/USTA National Indoor Championships on Feb. 18.

UCLA Head Coach Billy Martin does not feel that the long layover between matches will affect his team. He believes his players will be so fired up to play USC that any tightness will quickly evaporate.

“Any time we play the Trojans we are ready to go,” he said.

The rivalry between USC and UCLA is deeply ingrained into the UCLA men’s tennis tradition. In the two schools’ 81-year tennis history, The Bruins hold a 52-29 advantage over the Trojans.

“USC and UCLA have always been dominant in men’s tennis,” Martin said. “The matches have always been very, very close.”

Last year the Bruins won a close match, 4-3. UCLA has won six in a row over USC and 11 of the past 12.

“It’s a great rivalry and tradition,” said USC Head Coach Dick Leach, who is in his 22nd year as leader of the Trojan squad. “But in the past six years, they have been eating us for lunch every time.”

As for this afternoon, Leach does not like his chances against the top team in the country.

“We probably have no chance of winning,” Leach said.

But Martin doesn’t believe that USC would ever concede this match. He says his team can’t let his guard down if they want to win.

“There is no way they are gonna let Bruins come in and not fight their hearts out,” Martin said. “We are in for a tough, tough fight in a very hostile environment.”

The most entertaining match will probably be in the first singles. USC’s first singles player, junior Andrew Park, has demonstrated his strength this season. He is 7-1 in duel match play this year, ranked 22nd in the nation in singles.

“He is having a great year,” Leach said.

UCLA’s first singles player, sophomore Jean-Julien Rojer, is also having a great year. He is ranked No. 10 in the nation, and has won nine of 12 against tougher competition than Park. Rojer feels that if he is playing at his best, then he should have no problem defeating Park.

“I know what I have to do to win,” Rojer said. “As long as I bring my ‘A’ game, then I’ll be OK.”

USC is providing free pizza to all fans in attendance. The pizza might be the only highlight for the Trojans this afternoon.

“I hope Coach Martin and I get a piece,” Leach said.