And worrying about a matchup that might not even take place isn’t helping anyone’s plans, either. Instead, the Crimson has maintained the same weekly practice schedule it has all season long, despite the extra importance of the contests that lie ahead.

While part of that strategy might be the result of a conscious effort to maintain good habits, Harvard admittedly has little knowledge of its opening-round opponent Ohio St. and even Bergman confesses to knowing “nothing” of likely Friday singles challenger Lindsay Williams, who has knocked off a pair of top 20 players already this season.

“The most that we do is to get scouting reports,” sophomore Eva Wang said, “and the coach sends out emails to other schools to see if they have reports on players from other schools.”

With so little to go on prior to a potential second-round appearance—the Crimson has not only beaten the Wildcats, but its other potential opponent, BU—Harvard has focused almost exclusively on remaining healthy and sharpening its own performances.

“Ultimately,” Bergman said, “it’s within ourselves.”

DROPSHOTS

Friday’s first-round match between the Crimson and Buckeyes is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Beren Tennis Center and will be followed by the Kentucky-Boston University pairing at 2 p.m. The winners advance to the second round, to be contested Saturday at 2 p.m...Wang reported tightness in her quadriceps after yesterday’s practice, but labeled the injury minor and said she expects to be back at full strength by week’s end.

—Staff writer Timothy J. McGinn can be reached at mcginn@fas.harvard.edu.