At The Net with Francisco Bastias
By Kevin Ivany
HurricaneSports.com
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – In the most recent edition of At The Net with members of the University of Miami men’s tennis team, HurricaneSports.com sat down with reigning ACC Doubles Team of the Week member and former ACC Player of the Week, freshman Francisco Bastias.
The Mendoza, Argentina, native took the time to reflect on his chemistry with fellow classmate Franco Aubone, his transition to college tennis and clinching Friday’s match against then-No. 11 Notre Dame.
On clinching the match against then-No. 11 Notre Dame, the program’s first victory over a top-15 opponent since taking down No. 14 Duke on April 16, 2010…
“It was a special feeling, because it was the best victory we have had as a team, so far. It was also special, because it was my first clinch and I was thinking about that all the time; ‘when is it going to be my first time clinching?’ And then when I saw, during the Notre Dame match, that I was the last one competing, I was like, ‘okay, this is my time.’ So, when we won, it was just a special feeling.”
On the importance of the current six-match winning streak, over a seven day stretch…
“It was important, because we played three ACC matches, and now we are much more confident for what is still to come. We have a lot of important and tough matches coming up and the past week has helped us build a lot of confidence as a team.”
On securing ACC Doubles Team of the Week and the meaning of the honor…
“It feels good. It gives me confidence and it means that I am doing the right things. I am happy because I am helping the team and that is my main goal.”
On the chemistry he has built with his doubles teammate Franco Aubone, as the duo improved to 9-0 as a tandem following Sunday’s doubleheader…
“We have great chemistry, because we have played together since we were like eight years old. In the beginning of the season, we were not playing together and we were wondering, ‘when are we going to play together?’ And the first match that we played together, we were so excited and we didn’t want to lose that opportunity.”
On Aubone’s strengths as a player and how it helps them gel…
“I think we both have a very good return and we move pretty well at the net. So, we can close the net very well.”
On him and Aubone not having to make the college transition alone…
“It was important, because I think in the beginning you have some very tough moments and sometimes you feel like you are alone and so far away from your family and friends. But having a friend from the beginning was very helpful.”
On the team’s mindset going into the weekend’s road matches against Duke and No. 11 North Carolina…
“We are very excited as a team. We know that they are very tough matches, but we are confident that we can beat them and it would be very important for us because they are both very good teams.”
On the team’s goals for this season and for his career…
“This year, our goal is to finish in the top 16, since that would allow us to play the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament here at home. That’s our main goal, but I think this year there are still so many things we have to learn, but the next couple years is when I think we will really perform in the best way.”
On being enrolled at Miami for just over eight months and what the experience has been like…
“I love everything. In the beginning it was tough to adjust. Because when you are playing futures, you have your own coach and only that coach coaches you. But here, you cannot always do what you want and sometimes you hear things or have to do things you don’t like, which can be tough. But, I think it is making me tougher.”
On what made him decide Miami was the school for him?
“First of all, Miami itself. And then [head coach] Aljosa [Piric] told me how we are going to have such a young team and mentioned all the players we were going to have. And I thought it was a great opportunity for me to play with a younger team and attend a very good school.”
My favorite professional tennis player is… Andy Murray
My favorite professional sports team is… Barcelona FC
My favorite ice cream flavor is… Strawberry
My favorite television show is… Breaking Bad
My favorite meal is… Asado, which is an Argentinean meal similar to steak.
