UCLA Tennis Team Takes on Stanford

After a 15-day layoff, the top-ranked UCLA men’s tennis team begins the final run through the regular season against its biggest rival.

The Bruins face fourth-ranked Stanford today at 1:30 p.m. at the L.A. Tennis Center. And though the match could affect the national rankings and Pacific 10 Conference standings, Bruin Coach Billy Martin wants to use it as an experience-builder for the future.

“It’s not the end of the world if we lose,” he said. “To me, it’s still early enough that we’re feeling out each other, how certain guys match up.

“It’s still early enough that there’s no added pressure.”

But the one thing Martin is concerned about is the layoff.

“We’re rested, but I don’t like the fact that we haven’t played a match since [March] 17th.”

The Cardinal has played three matches in that time.

Along with maintaining the top ranking, the Bruins (16-1) will be looking to avenge a three-match sweep at the hands of the Cardinal last season, including a 5-0 defeat in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament.

UCLA will be led by eighth-ranked Jean-Noel Grinda, and Stanford (11-1) has three players in the top 40, including No. 3 Ryan Wolters.

Wolters and freshman K.J. Hippensteel form the nation’s No. 2 doubles team. The Bruins counter with the sixth-ranked duo of Jason Cook and Brandon Kramer.