LSU Drops Netmen

What do sophomore Mike Shyjan and Bjorn Borg have in common?

Both have beaten a former NCAA singles champion. Borg defeated John McEnroe, who won the title his freshman year at Stanford, and yesterday, Shyjan defeated Donni Leaycraft, the 1989 champion.

Despite Shyjan's upset at first singles, the Harvard men's tennis team fell yesterday to fourth-ranked Louisiana State, 5-3, in the second round of the USTA/ITCA National Indoor Team Tournament, in Louisville, Kent.

"I guess it is [my biggest win ever]," Shyjan said. "He didn't put pressure on me, and I just stuck to my game."

After clawing to a 3-3 split in the singles matches, Harvard dropped the first two doubles matches for the decision. The final doubles match was suspended once the outcome was apparent.

"We were real close to breaking through on the doubles," Harvard Coach Dave Fish said. "When we came out to play doubles, we hadn't played for a while."

Harvard last played doubles two weeks ago at a tournament in Minnesota.

The Crimson had defeated #15 Arkansas, 5-1, on Wednesday, and had no opportunity to gain doubles experience in that match. After the singles matches provided the decisive margin, the doubles were cancelled.

Crafty

Shyjan, who currently is ranked ninth in the nation, defeated Leaycraft, 3-6, 7-6 (7-1), 7-5.

"I was really discouraged with the way I played [Wednesday]," said Shyjan, who was the only Crimson player to lose to the Razorbacks.

Shyjan's doubles partner, 23rd ranked Mike Zimmerman, cruised past his Tigers opponent in straight sets.

"The courts are really fast," Zimmerman said. "My serve and volley was working well."

"Mike Zimmerman has dispatched some fine opponents the last couple days," said Fish, whose squad will have another chance to show its stuff when it faces fifth-ranked South Carolina tonight.

Sophomore Albert Chang turned in one of the gutsier performances of the day, saving a match point, before capturing a three-set victory at number-five singles. Chang's match gave the Crimson a chance heading into the doubles competition.

"Our guys went out there thinking, 'We're not just happy to be here, we're here to kick some butt,'" Fish said. "Our guys have shown a healthy respect for our opponents, but they have not been awed." Tigers 5-3 at Louisville, Ky.

Single Matches

1. Mike Shyjan (HARVARD) d. Donni Leaycraft (LSU), 3-6, 7-6 (7-1), 7-5; 2. Mike Zimmerman (HARVARD) d. Tom Furukrantz (LSU), 6-4, 6-3; 3. Johan Milbrink (LSU) d. Mark Leschly (HARVARD), 6-2, 6-4; 4. Mario Pacheco (LSU) d. Derek Brown, 6-2, 6-0; 5. Albert Chang (HARVARD) d. Mike Wesbrooks (LSU), 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 7-6 (8-6); 6. Steve Vasquez (LSU) d. John Tolmie (HARVARD), 6-4, 6-3.

Double Matches

1. Furukrantz/Pacheco (LSU) d. Shyjan/Zimmerman (HARVARD), 6-4, 6-3; 2. Leaycraft/Milbrink (LSU) d. Chang/Jonathan Cardi (HARVARD), 6-2, 6-4.