No. 28 men’s tennis (12–4 overall, 0–0 Ivy League) has had an undoubtedly strong first half of their indoor season. Through a few isolated losses, the Tigers have proven their mettle and built on their success from the individual season in the fall. They are well positioned for the upcoming Ivy season and have a ceiling that could propel them to a run at making it to the top 10 at nationals, the likes of which hasn’t been seen in over 40 years.
The Tigers looked to carry their momentum from a historic individual season, which culminated with senior Paul Inchauspé making it to the Final Four of the NCAA Individual Championships for the first time in Princeton history. He then ran into Michael Zheng of Columbia, who defeated him on his way to a second consecutive title. However, Inchauspé continues to prove he is among the best college players in the country. The indefatigable Frenchman has led the Tigers to a 12–4 record, but other younger players have made crucial contributions as well.
The Tigers began the dual season with two commanding victories out west vs. Boise State (9–5 overall, 0–1 Mountain West Conference) and Washington (6–6, 0–0 Big Ten Conference), 5–2 and 6–1 respectively. Clutch performances by Inchauspé and junior Landon Ardila anchored an impressive victory.
A trip to sunnier climates for the ITA Kickoff Weekend followed, in which the Tigers swept the Miami Hurricanes (7–5, 0–2 Atlantic Coast Conference) but fell victim to an Arizona State (12–4, 0–0 Big 12 Conference) comeback where the Sun Devils snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
The greatest triumph of the season so far for the Tigers was their victory at the ECAC Championships. After dispatching Dartmouth and Penn without dropping a match, they ran into Columbia. Poetically, the Tigers victory needed to run through Zheng — the very Zheng who ended Inchauspé’s magical NCAA tournament run and who, a month before ECAC, qualified for the Australian Open and defeated former world No. 15, Sebastian Korda.
This time, however, it was Inchauspé who would win, claiming a huge triumph in three sets. But it was Ardila who still had to clinch the Tigers the title, which he did with a cold-blooded deciding set performance.
The next weekend saw the Tigers continue their imperious form. They played Buffalo (6–4, 0–0 Mid-Atlantic Conference), Penn State (10–3, 0–0 Big 10), and Georgetown (1–8, 0–0 Big East Conference), and beat them all with just one match dropped to Penn State keeping them from a perfect sweep. First-years Jordan Reznik and Sawyer Severance impressed against Georgetown, and Severance later rallied back to win a singles match in a deciding tiebreak after losing the second set 0–6.
Last Friday, Princeton swiftly went from the sweeper to the swept, as they fell 7–0 to the lower-ranked Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (13–3, 0–0 Conference USA). It was a disappointing outcome for the Tigers, but not as alarming as the scoreline suggests, as both Inchauspé and sophomore Milan Markovits were unavailable.
Princeton will now host No. 27 Pepperdine (7–5, 0–0 West Coast Conference) at home Friday, and should feel optimistic about their chances despite their recent slip-up. The stretch of dominance that preceded that loss bodes well for the remainder of the season, as the Tigers have demonstrated their poise and grit in many wins, whether they be steamrolls or dogfights.
Later this month on March 28, the conference season kicks off against Penn (9–3, 0–0 Ivy League), but the Orange and Black have potential to demonstrate their prowess beyond just the Ivy league. The last time the Tigers made the top 10 at the NCAA Championship was in 1980, but with star Inchauspé and a deep squad around him, anything is possible.
Julian Benkin Danoff is a Sports contributor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
Eleven and counting: Princeton’s men’s indoor track and field Heps dynasty continues
Cadigan PerrielloSeveral Princeton athletes are now prepared to compete in the NCAA championships after yet another conference crown.
Several Princeton athletes are now prepared to compete in the NCAA championships after yet another conference crown.
What it means to ‘fail’ at Princeton
Sena ChangSurrounded by abundance, excellence, and opportunity, undergraduates reflect on what failure means on campus.
Surrounded by abundance, excellence, and opportunity, undergraduates reflect on what failure means on campus.
Women’s indoor track and field team earns back-to-back Ivy League Championship titles
Siena SydenhamAt the Ivy League Heptagonal Indoor Track and Field competition this past weekend at the Armory in New York City, the Princeton women’s indoor track team came out on top, defending the Ivy League title.
At the Ivy League Heptagonal Indoor Track and Field competition this past weekend at the Armory in New York City, the Princeton women’s indoor track team came out on top, defending the Ivy League title.