SV survives challenge from JM!

In a rematch of last year's Championship match, SV & JM face-off for yet another battle in the sun. It seems each time these two competitors meet, that the drama is similar!  JM looks unstoppable, but permits windows of opportunity for SV.  In their last three encounters JM wins the 1st-set, takes an early lead in the 2nd - only to eventually lose in marathon matches lasting 2 1/2-3 hours.  

Today's match was no different!  When JM's serve is hitting, he can dominate the action.  A serve and volley tactic works quite well for the 6'1'' monster at the net.  JM is quite accomplished with both the volley, and the overhead slam!  Only a perfectly executed lob, or fast paced passing shot down the line seems to work against his net game.  On a perfectly executed lob by SV nailing the baseline.  JM running at full speed ahead toward the fence - reaches the ball hitting it backward toward the heavens, as he crashes into the fence.  SV can only exclaim disbelief as he sees that the rocket launch trajectory will reenter into play.  Although SV returns this incredible shot by JM - his disbelief lingers, destroying his concentration as he puts a subsequent shot into the net. 

Once again heat was a factor, as both players approached the brink of heat exhaustion!  Fortunately for SV - an energy bar in the 2nd-set rejuvenates the aging Champion.  Although SV seemed to outlast JM in the heat.  JM revealed late in the 3rd, that he could strike back almost at will.  JM aces SV, followed by three service winners in rapid fire succession to hold serve in a dominant fashion.  Then suddenly, JM returns to a less forceful game, making numerous errors, as SV survives the late assault 4-6,6-4,6-2.

DR revels at eliminating Dynasty Champ JT!

End of an era! Dynasty Champ JT eliminated by DR!

DR knocks out The Dynasty Champ - Ending the JT Era!

Unequaled in the early years of TowerTennis - JT was a force to contend with!  His dominance in the game made him the standard that all others aspired to.  To win even a set from JT was an accomplishment worthy of headlines!  This is why DR's victory over JT is so important!
JT won his 1st TowerTennis Championship in 2004.  Playing DNR from what was then known as Airways Facilities. It was a battle between AF and AT.  JT was successful in his quest for the Gold, and began a tradition of winning. JT also began the tradition of having each Final Match at 7-Flags Fitness Center.  A tradition we continue to follow to this day.  JT dominated both the 2005, and 2006 Championships as well. Not losing until 2007 in a single defeat to BR (Rick Bohler, who is now retired).  This started yet another tradition - where the double elimination doesn't apply to the final match (It was felt that it was too anticlimactic for the biggest match of the year to have to be repeated).  JT did not appreciate losing, and vowed he would avenge his loss.  JT was a man of his word - soundly defeating BR the following year in 2008.  As a 4-time winner in 5-years, JT earned the Title: Dynasty Champion, and was awarded the one and only Dynasty Trophy.  In 2009 JT missed the signup deadline, and was not permitted to play. Although controversial at the time - The TowerTennis Commissioner was unyielding.  When JT returned to competition in 2010, the format of the bracket had changed somewhat.  Rather than a traditional draw, where a top seed doesn't face the toughest competition until the end.  The new format attempted to match up players of similar abilities right from the beginning.  As a consequence, JT faced players who would ultimately go on to finish 1 and 2, eliminating him from tournament competition quickly.  This year the same format is in use, and the results have been the same.  DR's victory is not only a great accomplishment for him, but it marks something far more profound.  With 2-years of 2 and out performances... It marks the end of the JT Era!

Schedule difficulties cause CG to withdraw!

CG was the surprise of last year's tournament! He finished in 3rd place with an unprecedented showing in both semi-final matches (The unique structure of the double elimination bracket is what permits such a thing to happen).

It was generally anticipated that CG would make another run for the title this year.  Unfortunately, the demands of CG's schedule doesn't permit him to easily complete his matches.  CG felt that it was best for the tournament that he withdraw from competition this year.  This allows DNR to advance without further delay to play 'BY', and AJ to advance within his bracket.

Hopefully, CG will have a more flexible schedule next year. It's the tournament's loss to have a competitor leave without competing.

OC's serve so powerful... It destroys racket!

As I've said before: "This guy is one to watch!" Right now OC's power-strokes are only 50% accurate... but just wait!  Once his percentages increase to 75% or 80% there will be no stopping him!  If Nate continues to practice... We're all watching a champion in the making!

KI stumbles, but edges ahead at the end!

Resumed from last week, the KI/RB match delivered as promised!  A close battle that went down to the wire!
 KI arrives with a significant edge! Leading 1-set to none, and tied 5-all in the 2nd... All KI needed was two quick games, and the match was over!  Instead, Advantage-down... KI sticks his racket into the air to volley a shot which  otherwise would have been long!  The volley fails, and now this gift has RB serving for the set with a 6-5 lead.  RB gains the early lead, then suddenly finds himself holding a set-point.  Ryan hits a drop-shot which KI recognizes too late to reach.  RB was close to the abyss, but levels the match at 1-set all!

In the 3rd- RB breaks KI's serve, followed by a hold to lead 2-0. KI responds with a strong service game, followed by a RB double, double to even things up at 2-all. Plagued by wide shots- RB easily gives KI another game, but counters to once again tie it up!  KI tries to hold for the lead, but multiple doubles give RB a 4-3 lead.  KI realizes his dilemma, and steps it up!  Failing to fend off KI's resurgence... RB soon finds himself match-point down, when he double-faults to give KI 3-unanswered games.  KI edges RB 7-6(8-6),5-7,6-4.

BY beats AJ in straight sets 6-2, 6-4.

Closer than the score indicates - multiple deuces, and a service game that simply wasn't hitting makes BY happy to close out AJ.  BY reports that AJ is much improved since their last encounter, and had AJ's serve hit more often, the results may have been different.

Angry Jeff gets happy after his victory!

MN derails CA at Valley Junction!

CA pulls ahead in the 1st to lead 5-3. Although MN closes, CA gets the edge and holds a set point!  Angry-Jeff survives this set-point down, then goes on to force a tie-breaker!  MN dominates the breaker (leading 6- points to 2), when CA lets a high lob near the sideline blow right by him without even a swing to lose the 1st set 7-6(7-2).
As the 2nd-set begins a light rain begins to dampen the court.  The chance for injury was high, so players suspend for another day.  When the match resumed - CA was confident he would achieve his 1st-TowerTennis victory (a special moment for any player).  Either way-A 1st victory would result from this match.

Angry-Jeff revels at winning the toss, and elects to serve.  Accompanied by Ball-dog Kiley, Angry-Jeff finds himself chasing the ambitious pooch to retrieve the game-balls. A CA drop-shot into the deuce court gets intercepted by Ball-dog Kiley before Angry-Jeff can make a play! After a delay of game-the unrestrained K-9 is secured near the sideline. The rules on this type of situation would normally call for CA to win the point. However, players elect to play a let, as Ball-dog Kiley is further restrained!  After a controversial line-call, Angry-Jeff is schooled on proper lines calling technique.

A film crew arrives to perhaps shoot the TowerTennis match, but turns out to simply be Senior photos for a Lincoln High School grad.  Players accommodate the request to utilize the court as a backdrop setting and temporarily suspend play.

As play resumes, Angry-Jeff must sense victory - as he begins to dance on the service line, and begins rapping a tune to CA's young daughter titled: "I'm gonna beat your Daddy!'

CA down 2-3 cannot hold this pivotal service game.  MN breaks to take a 4-2 lead, and is now serving!  CA counter-breaks, then serves to stay alive!   Players exchange an awesome rally, as CA fights to win.  Both players step it up, as CA finds himself double match-point down.  In a brilliant move - CA pushes the ball down the line to Angry-Jeff's backhand. CA saves a match-point down, then benefits from MN hitting long.  CA then gets a favorable net-cord to reverse his fortune, but is too aggressive on the next point to give Angry-Jeff yet another match-point.  Angry-Jeff taunts CA as he lucks out with an angling shot short right near the sideline.  CA can't even put a racket on it - as CA's quest for TowerTennis Glory is derailed.  MN over CA 7-6(7-2),6-4.

CA's prematch Prediction:

Tennis Tuesday turns Gangster!

Sopcic routs Reigning Champion SV in practice match!

Sopcic sops up the court with SV... easily winning 6-2 in a practice match on Tennis Tuesday.
Sopcic has beaten every opponent he has faced during his weekly practice sessions in Norwalk. Look for big upsets from this new shining star!

RB saves 3-Match Points to Stay Alive!

Match suspended due to time as KI can't finish off RB. RB fights to live another day!
KI wins the 1st set set 7-6(8-6) in tie-breaker. KI keeps checking the clock, and tries to finish RB off in time to make his appointment.  KI holds 3 set-points against RB, but Ryan won't go quietly into the night.  RB fights, and fights to tie it up at 5-all in the 2nd.
Players agree to suspend and finish another day.  Don't miss the exciting conclusion of this extremely close contest!

TB edges OC in Three!

OC vs TB gives glimpse of future champions.  When you're evenly matched - your game tends to elevate.  What I saw today was a glimpse into the future of TowerTennis.  Both these young men have the talent to get their name on the trophy - it's simply a matter of time.
OC demonstrated both a serve, and a two-handed backhand that is unequaled in this tournament.  Fortunately for the rest of us, his accuracy still needs work.  TB finished with an impressive service assault, and has the speed, strength, and consistency to make the semifinals his 1st year.
Evenly matched almost to the end - It was 1-set all, 3-all in the 3rd before TB starts to pull away.  A service-break, followed by a hold - lands TB holding a 5-3 lead in the final-set before OC closes.  Now TB is up 5-4, and serving for the match.  TB opens with an ace, then quickly follows with two service winners! OC manages to save one match point, but Sopcic is too much!  Another service winner, and it's over!!!  TB edges OC 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

BW survives Schewe 4-6,7-6(7-4),7-5.

KS poised for victory thwarted by BW's special day!  Success breeds more success - at least for BW this is true.  With a major professional certification achieved earlier in the day - what advantage KS was holding slipped away. Slipped away, but not without a fight!
Holding a 1-set lead, but down in the 2nd- KS surges to force a tie-breaker and try to end the match in straight sets.  Leading 4-3 in the breaker, Schewe just can't close it out!  BW fights back to take the lead and slams set-point with authority to win the tie-breaker 7-6(7-4). 
Now tied 1-set all - these two competitors continue to exchange blows! Down 3-4, BW gets a couple favorable netcords to fall his way and suddenly finds himself leading 5-4.  Although Schewe ties in back up at 5-all, he's starting to show signs of fatigue!  BW takes the next two, and with them the match!  BW fends off a formidable assault from KS.  4-6, 7-6(7-4), 7-5!!! 

Dynasty Champion JT falls to JM in 2nd-set tie-breaker!

JT holds his own early, but can only manage half of JM's score as he loses 3-6 in the 1st!

In the 2nd - JT frequently leads but can't pull away. JM ties it up after each JT advance.  JT just can't close out a 6-5 lead to level the match. While JM forces a breaker - then advances to victory.
JT leads all categories except points won (47%), but falls to JM 6-3,7-6(7-2).

DK Upsets DR 7-5, 6-1.

UPSET! DK defeats DR in straight-set showdown! - DR holds a 5-2 lead but can't finish off DK as DK mixes it up to keep DR wondering whats coming next! DK wins 5-unanswered to step back from the brink of a 1st-set defeat to rip the wind out of DR's sails. DK goes on to take the 2nd 6-1 for a straight-set upset!