Through eight matches, the LSU men’s tennis team (7-1) didn’t struggle to start fast against opponents. The team always starts fast, and it begins with its two-man threats.
The dual matches the Tigers are playing this spring feature doubles play at the beginning of the match, followed by singles play. The doubles point is a best-of-three structure, the first team to record two doubles wins is awarded the point.
The doubles matches may only be worth one singles match when it comes to scoring, but senior Chris Simpson said claiming the doubles point can provide a psychological edge moving into singles play.
“I think the doubles point is massive,” Simpson said. “If you can go into the changing rooms with the doubles point then you have so much confidence.”
Winning the doubles point means a team only needs to win three singles matches to clinch overall victory. Dropping the doubles point means a team must win the majority of its singles matches for victory.
LSU has taken the doubles point in all seven wins. The only time the Tigers failed to reign supreme in doubles play was against TCU, the only match they lost.
“Against TCU when we lost the doubles point it was just really different, Simpson said. “It was like something we haven’t really experienced this season. And we were like, ‘it seems like a mile away now to win.’”
One reason the Tigers have been able to jump out to early leads is because of the team’s depth. Junior Boris Arias said being able to place confidence in different players displays the team’s strength.
“I think this year we have a really strong team,” Arias said. “Even if one guy, for example right now Andrew, is injured, we have one or two more players that can play. So we have a lot of confidence in all of us. I think that’s what makes us stronger. We know we’re a really good team and we can do really good this year. That’s what I think helps us a lot.”
In its eight matches, LSU has used nine different doubles pairings. Simpson said the team is flexible and many guys can be moved around in the lineup to suit the team’s needs.
LSU displayed its flexibility at the ITA Kickoff with Simpson stepping in to play with sophomore Eric Perez’s normal partner, junior Tam Trinh. In Perez’s absence, Simpson and Trinh won against their foes from then-No.33 ranked San Diego before losing to Cameron Norrie and Trevor Johnson from TCU (5-0).
LSU coach Jeff Brown has the option to plug in different players and still be confident in the talent he sends out on the court.
“Whatever lineup we put out there, we’ve got some pretty good experience and some real high end talent that’s playing 1, 2 and 3,” Brown said.
You can reach Jack Woods on Twitter @Jack_TDR.