Faced with the possibility of being stretched to a decisive third set, Penn freshman Mikhail Bekker knew he would have to improve his return game.
Bekker was able to do so, winning his match, 6-0, 7-6(3) and clinching a 5-2 victory over Boston College for the Penn men's tennis team, improving its record to 3-1.
After an easy first set, Bekker failed to achieve a break in the second set, but relied on his powerful serve to force a tiebreaker.
"In the first set everything worked perfectly," Bekker said. "I hit a lot of winners and did not make many unforced errors.
"In the second set my weapon was my serve. Today I served very well. I was satisfied."
Penn coach Mark Riley was equally pleased with Bekker's performance.
"I wasn't worried about Bekker," Riley said. "If the match has to go down to 'The Kid,' I'm OK with that."
Although the Quakers overcame Boston College (2-4), there were some tense moments to the match.
In addition to Bekker's tiebreak, junior Anthony Pu was pushed to first set tiebreak in his No. 4 singles match. Pu saved several set points before falling, 11-9, in the tiebreaker.
"We have to play the bigger points better," Riley said. "Bekker won the big points; Craig Rubin and Jimmy Fairbanks dominated. Dave Lynn played OK, but didn't win the big points."
Riley has been imploring his team for several weeks to play better in clutch situations and to improve its performance in doubles.
On Friday, Bekker was able to do both. As well as winning his singles match, Bekker teamed with junior co-captain Lynn for a doubles victory, helping to secure the opening point for the Red and Blue.
"Today we did pretty well thanks to my partner Dave Lynn," Bekker said. "He was very supportive today in doubles."
The other victory in doubles came from junior co-captain Craig Rubin and sophomore Jimmy Fairbanks, each of whom cruised to singles victories.
Rubin defeated B.C.'s Kiernan Laughlin, 6-0, 6-2, with a loquacious on-court performance.
"Rubin has no delusions of grandeur about what type of tennis he needs to play to win," Riley said. "He's going to keep you out there all day and he's going to break you down mentally.
"It's not pretty but it's effective."
Those words might apply to the Penn team in general, as Riley believes it must bring a blue-collar attitude to every match in order to win.
Summing up his expectations for the team, Riley said, "We really have to put our hard hats on and manipulate it to get four points."
PENN 5, Boston College 2 Singles
Slattery (BC) def. Lynn (P) 6-4, 6-1
Bekker (P) def. McCoy (BC) 6-0, 7-6(3)
Rubin (P) def. Laughlin (BC) 6-0, 6-2
Chou (BC) def. Pu (P) 7-6(9), 6-1
Lavner (P) def. Kesthely (BC) 6-2, 0-6, 6-2
Fairbanks (P) def. Colahan (BC) 6-2, 6-2
Doubles
Slattery/McCoy (BC) def. Pu/Lavner (P) 9-7
Lynn/Bekker (P) def. Laughlin/Chou (BC) 8-4
Rubin/Fairbanks (P) def. Kesthely/Colahan (BC) 8-0
