By Colleen Kane
Enquirer staff writer

Brothers Ryan and Michael McCarthy haven't been on the same team since winning the Ohio Division II state tennis tournament while in high school at Indian Hill in 2001.

This week at the Thomas E. Price Cincinnati Metropolitan Tennis Championships at Lunken Playfield, they're warming up to competing together again.

The McCarthys will pair as the No. 4 seed when doubles play begins this weekend. On Thursday, they both advanced in singles to tonight's round of 32. Fourth-seeded Michael sailed through his match against Dean Stout 6-0, 6-0, and No. 3 Ryan defeated Ryan Floth, his former Davis Cup coach in juniors, 6-3, 6-2.

"You go out with the mentality of wanting to win, but it becomes a different mentality when you like the guy on the other side of the net," Ryan said of playing Floth.

That must be what it was like growing up among the four McCarthy brothers - Ryan, Michael and younger brothers and tennis players Andrew (15) and Devin (13).

"Each one's trying to get better than the other," Michael said. "It's competitive, but it stays friendly."

Michael was the Division II state singles champion and the Enquirer's player of the year this year. Andrew was runner-up in state doubles this year as a freshman, and Devin is ranked among the top players in his age group.

"They keep getting better as they get younger. Like, this guy's nasty," Ryan said, pointing to Andrew. "They're winning nationals at the age I was picking up my racket."

But Ryan is the lone McCarthy with Met experience. He has played in five now, with his best finish coming last year when he finished second in doubles with Jason Zimmerman.

Ryan and Michael will team together to gain experience for a possible pairing at Indiana next year, when Michael will be a freshman and Ryan a senior for the Hoosiers.

"It's a good chance to get experience together," Ryan McCarthy said. "We're very compatible."

There is a chance the two McCarthys could end up on opposite sides of the net this week - but only if both make the singles final.

"We can't look that far ahead yet," Ryan said.

BROTHERLY LOVE, PART II: Matt and Mike Dektas each advanced Thursday. Eighth-seeded Matt defeated Leighton Jones 6-4, 7-5, and No. 13 Mike defeated Mark Wasserman 7-6 (4), 6-3. The Dektas brothers are the No. 5 seed in doubles.

SEEDS ADVANCE: All but two of the 24 seeded players advanced to the round of 32; No. 19 Aaron McDowell, beaten by Chris Pray Wednesday, and No. 18 Jim Brannon, who withdrew, did not move on.

UP TODAY: Matches are back on schedule after Tuesday's rainout. Men's singles play will begin at 6 p.m.

Met tennis