Sopcic advances to the Finals!

Sopcic stages a come from behind victory in the 3rd to defeat DR 6-3,1-6,6-4!

Dean faced quite the challenge in this semifinal showdown!  Dean's quest to force an: "Elder's Match" was thwarted by youthful brawn!  Suffering from atrial fibrillation, a coronary stint, high blood pressure, and a heart attack damaged heart -- Dean takes on 27-year old Sopcic in a semifinal quest for glory!  Having dispatched "Dynasty Champion" JT earlier in the tournament -- Dean benefited from JM's departure from competition after JM was defaulted.  He then slipped by DNR in a come from behind 3-setter to advance for this semifinal showdown with young Sopcic.


Sopcic's road to the semi's faced a serious challenge from Nate O'Connor, but Sopcic came out on top in each of their two encounters.  Sopcic's only loss was to defending champion SV in the winner's bracket semifinal.  Even there, Sopcic forced a tie-breaker in the 2nd, and came very close to defeating the aging champ!

The 1st-set begins with Sopcic breaking DR's serve with the same difficult specialty shot he later uses to win the match.  Although several names were used to describe this extraordinary maneuver -- a technical description would be: A retreating two-handed reverse overhead lob.  If it wasn't for Sopcic's perfection of the highly difficult shot -- defending champion SV would likely be facing Dean in the finals, and not young Sopcic!  Despite Dean's excellent execution of deep shots which denied Sopcic net-position.  Sopcic jumps on a DR 2nd-serve to take the 1st-set.

In the 2nd -- Sopcic's specialty shot fails him several times aiding Dean in his quest to level the match.  DR lobs over Sopcic, then as Sopcic leaps into the air.  Sopcic swings for an overhead slam, but hits into the net to lose the 2nd convincingly: 1-6.

In the 3rd -- DR comes back from a double break point down to hold a 3-2 lead, then jumps ahead 4-2 after Sopcic corrects a bad call.  It looks like an upset is in the making, when Sopcic finds a new strategy to use against DR!  Sopcic battles back to 4-all, then extends his lead to reach triple match-point!  On the final point, Sopcic executes his specialty shot -- The retreating two-handed reverse overhead lob to win after Dean puts his response into the net.

Sopcic advances to the finals by defeating Dean in three: 6-3,1-6,6-4.  SPECIAL THANKS to KYLE SCHEWE for serving as tournament photographer!  Your action shots helped to tell the story, and preserve the details of this hard fought battle! 

Play-by-play Podcast: Relive the match one point at a time!

DR vs TB 2011 Semifinal by towertennis

Sopcic returns to Semifinals!

"If the master defeats the student, then the master has failed as a teacher… yet if the student defeats the master, then the master has failed as a warrior!"  So was the dilemma faced by Nate this afternoon!  

Whenever Nate stepped his game up -- Sopcic elevated to stay in the point.  At times the action reminded one of a wrestling match. As players vie for position, each trying to get an edge on the other.  Invariably, it seemed like Sopcic was the one who would slip from Nate's grasp to establish a foothold near the net.  A short shot, or a 2nd serve, would invite Sopcic to make his approach.  Perhaps out of frustration, or maybe a calculated tactic -- at one point Nate hauls off and launches an atom smasher of a shot streaking toward his net-hogging opponent.  It's fortunate that the net-cord blocked this bullet.  Had it not... Sopcic would forever wonder what it would have been like to someday become a father!

The match was much closer than the score would indicate!  Virtually each point was a multi-shot marathon filled with drama and superb action!  It's a shame someone had to lose, but like any contest, a victor must emerge.  In a sense, this was a right of passage for the young victor.  With his accomplishment he emerges as a true contender for the championship!  Sopcic defeats his teacher: 6-1,7-5. Now only two more matches stand between him, and the trophy!

 

Final-Four Decided!

Quarterfinal Showdown: Student seeks to become Master!

Sopcic let his 1st chance to make the finals slip through his grasp! Now he has a second chance, but standing in his way is Nate (TB's OJTI)! "The student has become the master"... Says the young developmental. However, "the student is ignorant, and has much to learn"... Replies Nate!

Sopcic has beaten everyone he's played in TowerTennis... Perhaps deserving of his nickname: "Sandbagger" -- but Nate possesses the best two-handed backhand in our game! If the Master shows patience, and waits to strike... The rising young star may indeed be eclipsed. This match could make the record books! Show your support by attending a great one: Tuesday September 27, 2011 at 2:15pm, Norwalk Tennis Complex, Norwalk, Iowa.

Injury forces DH to withdrawal!

Plagued by tennis-elbow, Woman's Champ Deanna steps down so the tournament can move on.   Always a fierce competitor, DH underwent cortisone injections in a hope that she could continue.  Unfortunately, treatment will extend well into October.  Not wanting to delay the Championship -- DH withdraws to keep things moving!

DR advances to Semifinals with late surge in the third!

Down 0-3 in the final set... Dean takes 5-straight to not only avert imminent defeat, but take the edge in a battle of rally-masters!  Fighting back to tie the match up at 3-all must have invigorated DR!  Dean runs 10 unanswered points to lead 5-3, 30-love!  Dean is only two points away from winning the match, when Doug energizes to take 5-straight points himself!  Closing to 5-4, Doug serves to stay alive! DNR looks like he'll pull off a counter-comeback, but soon finds himself match-point down after a failed volley of a deep DR lob! Doug survives the match-point down when another DR lob lands centimeters long!  Doug's reprieve is short lived, as he returns to his perilous status when a slam hits the net!  Doug then goes for the right sideline, but misfires wide!  DR defeats DNR 6-0,3-6,6-4.

Supe-Killer strikes again!

OC eliminates another Supervisor... and with his victory loses chance to ever leave DSM!

Unafraid of losing his chance to advance... Nate strikes with zinging backhands, and blistering serves!  Several OC shots fall-in as KN watches!  Nate easily wins the 1st-set, then takes a commanding 5-1 lead in the 2nd, before KN surges for two!  OC eliminates his 2nd supervisor 6-1,6-3.

DNR advances to Quarter-Finals after eliminating BY in 3-set rematch!

Down 1-3 in the 1st, DNR runs 4-straight to take a 5-3 lead.  Steve counters by closing to 5-4, but  Doug finishes him off with a 6-4 victory.

In the 2nd... DNR again finds himself down 1-3, and 2-4, before he's able to connect with another 3-game run! Doug now leads 5-4, and then 6-5 respectively.  Steve fights to force a tie-breaker at 6-all, then takes the breaker (7-5) to level the match at 1-set all!

 In the 3rd... Players exchange games until finding themselves completely tied: 1-set all, 3-games all.  Steve struggles with the net-cord, while DNR pulls away for the win.  DNR eliminates BY in three! 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3.

Sopcic steamrolls over CD 6-2,6-0.

Curt has scoreless set for 1st time in a 2011 TowerTennis match-up!