New Canaan Boys Tennis Breezes Into Semis

FCIAC tennis doesn't have the upset potential that other sports do unless injury or absence affect the lineups (as it did with Darien upsetting Greenwich on Monday with the Cardinals' three top players out). 

The Rams had an easy 7-0 win over Ludlowe in their regular season contest and with all hands on deck, there was no reason to think Ludlowe had a legitimate chance for an upset.

The Rams clinched early and the contest was shortened by the "Four Rule", invoked when a team has a four-match lead and the losing team has no chance of winning.

Nick Laub, at No. 4 singles beat Mike O'Neill 6-0, 6-0 in just 35 minutes.

"I had a chance to work on my serve and made sure to stay in the game mentally," said Laub, who was first on the court Monday.

Soon after, Kevin Budrawich at No. 3 singles was next off the short after beating Ryan Warkentin 6-1, 6-1. Budrawich said his mind set in a match that wasn't very competitive was to "play smart and not do anything stupid." He added, "I also come to net more often than I would against a tougher opponent."

The Rams made it 3-0 when Ben Lee won at No. 1 singles against Matt Fitzburgh, a very solid player. Lee had to be at the top of his game, which he was, to take the match 6-3, 6-0. 

"Lee was just too good for me," Fitzburg said. Lee was pleased with his game, adding, "It was one of those days when everything was cooking."

Chase Urban got the clincher at No. 2 singles. He beat Dan Adajian 6-1, 6-1 while the two doubles matches were still in progress.

Ludlowe got its only win of the day at No. 1 doubles when Reid Andren and Austin Henry straight-setted Peter Huff and Patrick Newton, 6-4, 6-1.

New Canaan's No.2 doubles team of Connor Hedley and Steve Evans ended the day with a 6-3, 6-1 win over James Reiss and John Colavito.

After the match the players were looking forward to the semis against the No. 2 seed Greenwich. The Cardinals had beaten the Rams 6-1 ten days earlier. They didn't know at the time that Greenwich had been upset by seventh seeded Darien.

The New Canaan/Darien semi final match will be played Wednesday at the NCHS courts.