NEW ORLEANS — Ken Skupski never gave his opponent a chance to spoil his opportunity to become LSU’s first singles conference champion in 27 years in Monday’s finals of the SEC Coaches’ Indoor Championships.
Skupski won the first four games against Florida’s No. 47-ranked Greg Oullette. No. 12-ranked Skupski then cruised to beat Oullette, 6-2, 6-2, and claim the title.
“I came into this tournament not expecting to win many matches,” Skupski said. “I didn’t feel good and I hadn’t practiced much, but my matches kept getting better as the tournament went along.”
No Tiger has ever won the singles draw in the current format, and LSU only has two No. 1 indoor singles champions in its program history. The last player to win was Hal Gorman in 1978 and before that Gary Albertine won in 1976.
“We have had some outstanding players come through here in the last 30 years and for Ken to be the first top-flight champion since 1978 is quite an accomplishment,” said LSU head coach Jeff Brown.
It was the first collegiate tournament championship for Skupski, a sophomore from Liverpool, England. He survived a field of 65 players, including nine ranked in the top-50 in the nation, to earn the title.
The best thing about this week was that I served probably the best I every have,” Skupski said.
Brown said Skupski’s quick start set him up for the win.
“Ken owned his service game and kept Oullette under pressure on his own serve every game,” Brown said. “He set the tone with a quick start by getting break in the opening game.”
Skupski was the tournament’s third seed and was a first seed in the doubles draw with partner Mark Growcott.
No. 13-ranked Skupski and Growcott were eliminated Monday in a tight semifinal match with Georgia’s Antonio Ruiz and John Isner. No. 10-ranked Isner and Ruiz broke Growcott’s serve with the match tied at 7-all to beat the LSU pair.
“That match was four guys with huge serves,” Brown said. “It came down to one point and they ended up getting it. It could have gone either way but Georgia wound up getting the big shot at the right time.”
Isner and Ruiz went on to win the finals and claim the doubles championship.
The Tigers begin their regular dual season Jan. 29 in Baton Rouge against Southeastern Louisiana.
“Hopefully this will be a good start to the year for the whole team,” Skupski said.