BEARS RIP RP IN TENNIS

Maryland Community News

Published: Tuesday, April 17, 2012Tennis: Landon nearly notches sweepby Jennifer Beekman Staff Writer

It might sound like the same thing but in tennis, playing to win and playing not to lose are two completely different concepts.

The latter can be quite dangerous, as Landon School sophomore No. 3 singles player Raman Ananthanpillai learned in Tuesday’s Interstate Athletic Conference match at Georgetown Prep.

After winning 10 of the first 12 games off big serves and monstrous forehands, Ananthanpillai abandoned the aggressive game that had given him a 6-1, 4-1 lead.

Seemingly minutes later he found himself two points from being forced to a third set.

But as quickly as things had gone south earlier in the set, Ananthanpillai found his rhythm to clinch the straight-set win and with it Landon’s first win in three matches.

The Bears (2-2) won six of seven courts Tuesday, and Ananthanpillai was the fourth match to finish.

“I got a little tight, but then my coach just told me I was playing well and I should just keep going for my shots,” Ananthanpillai said. “I was down 0-30 serving at 4-5 but then I started getting it back together and started to rip my forehand again.”

Tuesday’s match was about more than a crosstown rivalry. Both teams trying to make their way back toward the top of the IAC after several down years.

Though the Bears lost their two previous matches, they were against quality opponents — St. Albans, which won last year’s IAC title, and Bullis, which won the league title for seven seasons before that.

Ananthanpillai said every match this year, win or lose, is a learning experience for a young Landon squad.

“I think this year regardless of what happens, we’re just looking for experience. That’s the most important thing right now,” he said. “If we can win big matches and do it as freshmen and sophomores, then it will be much easier when we’re seniors.”

Landon took a 3-0 lead with wins from Gabriel Goldbergat No. 2 singles, Deacon Brewand Seth McNair at No. 1 doubles and Richard Huber and Adam Free at No. 3 doubles. Nicky Talwar rebounded from a first-set loss to win the No. 4 singles match in three sets and give Landon a 5-0 lead.

Georgetown Prep freshman No. 1 singles player Nick Mouser won two tiebreak sets to pull out a three-hour marathon match and prevent the Bears from sweeping the Little Hoyas (3-4) for the second year in a row. He trailed 2-5 in the first set.

“I was tired after the first set, but winning the first set, you find a different energy level,” Mouser said. “It’s a lot different playing matches for a team than when I play tournaments. It’s something incredible to know the team is relying on you. I just really wanted to come and try to help this team improve.”

In the last match to finish — Georgetown Prep has only six courts so the No. 3 doubles had to wait for one of the matches to finish to take the court — Landon’s Michael Harrisand Andrew Joseph came back from a first-set loss to win in three sets.

“After [my loss at Bullis last week] it was big to be able to turn around and win,” Ananthanpillai said. “I just want to show the team that I’m still here and going to win matches for us.”

jbeekman@gazette.net

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