Men’s Tennis Briefs

Friday, February 6, 1998

Men’s Tennis Briefs

Unexpected play

surprises Bruins

The Rolex Intercollegiate Tennis Championships set up its
forecast only to find out how unpredictable the weather can be.

No, this doesn’t have to do with rain or shine, but big-time
first-round upsets.

UCLA’s Jean-Noel Grinda, a No. 5-8 seed going into yesterday’s
match, fell victim to an unseeded player. New Mexico’s Jeff
Williams defeated the second-highest ranked freshman, 6-3, 3-6,
6-3.

Perhaps even more unpredictable was the defeat of No. 1 seed and
No. 1 nationally ranked player Bob Bryan of Stanford in his
first-round match. Georgia’s unseeded Steven Baldas upset Bryan in
two sets, 6-3, 6-4.

Predictions are not always wrong, though. Some sweetness was
added to what might have been a bitter Bruin day when UCLA’s No. 4
seeded Vince Allegre defeated Notre Dame’s Ryan Sachire, 6-4, 4-6,
6-4.

Allegre will play Duke’s Doug Root tomorrow. Grinda will play in
the consolation round. Tomorrow’s forecast: unpredictable.

* * *

Mercedes-Benz of North America has driven away with the
sponsorship of the former Infiniti Open.

The Mercedes-Benz Cup is an ATP Tour event which will take place
July 27 – August 2 at the L.A. Tennis Center.

Already slated to appear in the tournament are Pete Sampras,
Andre Agassi and Patrick Rafter. Jim Courier drove to the title
last year.

Notes compiled by Stephanie Chan, Daily Bruin Contributor.