Oregon made quick work of Seattle University in their season opener, and played plenty of tennis while doing so. The Ducks defeated the Redhawks 6-1 in a morning match, and then turned around to top them again 7-0 in a second afternoon match.
Oregon head coach Nils Schylander scheduled a doubleheader against the Redhawks in order to get his youthful team some extra match experience. It is the only time this season that the Ducks are scheduled to play two full matches in one day.
While the score didn’t reflect it, the Ducks played sloppy in the morning match.
“It’s a little bit of nerves; first time out and some freshman haven’t played before,” Schylander said.
Oregon swept the Redhawks in all three doubles matches to start the day. Daan Maasland and Simon Stevens will likely be the Duck’s No.1 doubles pair this year, and the duo won easily by a score of 6-1 while playing in the No.2 spot.
On the singles side, the Ducks got a glimpse of the future as standout French International Thomas Laurent made his collegiate debut. Laurent, a freshman who just arrived on campus a few weeks ago, defeated Ian Clare of Seattle 6-1, 6-3 while playing in the No.2 slot.
Schylander said Laurent and Maasland, a 2015 All-PAC 12 second team selection during the 2015 season, will be “interchangeable” at the No.1 spot for the Ducks this year.
Maasland defeated Seattle No.1 John Stormans 6-1, 6-1, Simon Stevens won 6-2, 6-3 and Jayson Amos won 6-0. 6-2 to round out the top four slots for the Ducks in the morning match.
In the afternoon match, the Ducks put up the same dominant results, but cleaned up some errors that had hindered them earlier in the day. They picked up wins by scores of 6-1, 6-1 and 6-2 to once again sweep the doubles side.
On the singles side, Laurent jumped into the No.1 spot and blanked Stormans in a masterful 6-0, 6-0 win, while Maasland grinded out a 6-2, 6-2 win over Clare despite some early match struggles.
In total, the Ducks won 13-of-14 matches with all six Oregon players completing sweeps in the second match of the day.
“This morning we just didn’t compete as well in all spots as we needed to,” Schylander said. “But I think they took it to heart and came out and played a full match in the second go-round.”
On Monday, Oregon will welcome No. 54 UC Santa Barbara for a home match that will offer its first true test of the season.
Follow Jarrid on Twitter @jdenney50