On Wednesday, the men’s tennis Blues lost 8-4 to Coventry University in a tight match, relinquishing the number one spot in the BUCS Midlands 1a division. With only two matches remaining before the end of the season, the Blues’ promotion hopes are no longer wholly in their own hands.

Having played magnificently to see off Coventry 8-4 in Michaelmas, the Blues were quietly confident going into the rematch. But the addition of former world number 1001, Maniel Baines, to the Coventry line up meant that this time, each Cambridge player would face a stronger opponent.

Johnston and Cohen started sluggishly against Baines and Taylor. Erratic returning from Cohen and wayward ball-tosses from Johnston set the tone as the Midlands pair snuck the first set and cantered through the second. A similar script seemed to be unfolding on the adjacent court, but a short break for a fire-drill seemed to galvanise Sylvester and Muirhead.  With resounding cries of ‘Come on!’ the Cambridge pair took the second set, 6-1, and raced to a seemingly decisive 8-2 lead in the deciding super tiebreak. But, to collective disbelief, the Midlanders clawed their way back to take a 9-8 lead and only a fluffed volley and a last-minute response saved Cambridge blushes. After two doubles, there was still nothing to choose between the teams.

In the opening singles, Johnston started quickly against Baines but squandered three break points in the second game and immediately lost his serve to fall a break behind. His tactic of skipping around his backhand to curl forehands into Baines’ weaker slice soon showed results but he couldn’t recover the break. The second set was a case of déjà vu as Baines grabbed an early break, but Johnston hit back in game ten to level the match at 5-5. He couldn’t maintain the momentum, however; a succession of weak serves gifted Baines the break and the match.

At number two, Wolfson’s Constantine Markides registered an uncharacteristically limp showing against a small, fast and bouncy opponent. He could summon no intensity in the first set, in what felt to him like a practise match, but he reached for the spade in set two and dug in. On the slick but relatively slow carpet courts, Markides’ flat forehands were not puncturing the Coventry defence, and after a wobble or three, the Midlander served out the match.

Magdalene’s Sam Ashcroft played well at number three but eventually succumbed to a tall, fast-serving opponent. He showed his usual touch, flair and banana-like serves in the first set to force a tie-break, but with the first set won, Mason kicked on in the second to record a 7-6, 6-2 victory.

Catz’s Charlie Cohen saved light blue pride with a dominant display at number four. He pounced all over his opponent’s soft lefty serves and his heavy, top-spinned groundstrokes repeatedly left Khan stranded. The result was never in doubt as Cohen finished in style, 6-3, 6-3.

Some good performances dull the disappointment and bode well for our forthcoming matches against Warwick and Birmingham.