DR Scouting Report!

Harmon Park 08-30-08 - In a practice match, DR and SV test their abilities against one another. Historically, DR plays SV tough, and today was no different! The lead changed several times during a 1 1/2 hour first set. SV down 3-0 in a tie-breaker battles back to win the set 7-6 (7-4). DR lost to defending champ BR in a first set tie-breaker as well. Is DR vulnerable in tie-breakers? I think not - his game is sound. DR makes few unforced errors, but is vulnerable when he serves, especially if you pound his backhand. DR tends to hold the extra ball in his hand. This frequently caused him problems as he tried to switch hands with his racket. DR's reach typically is greater by tossing his racket from one hand to the other.

DR's game continued to excel pulling away from SV at 4-4 in the second to take the set 6-4. DR is generally unaffected by power! SV's fastest serves were typically returned - sometimes for winners. Playing a power game against DR is only effective, if you get an angle on him. If he can get to the ball; it's coming back!

Champ survives assault by DR

Harmon Park, 08-26-08 - DR jumps to a quick 5-2 lead, and is holding a double set point against the defending champ at 40-15; when BR comes from behind to tie 5-5. DR's determination carries him to a 6-5 lead, but the camp won't lay down - stepping up and forcing a tie-breaker!

Using unsanctioned scoring, the champ dominates the tie-breaker winning a tough 1st set 7-6(10-7). See Tie-breaker Refresher in the navigation bar right.

Invigorated by his 1st set victory. BR sails into the semi-finals for a match-up with SB. BR wins in straight sets 7-6 (10-7), 6-2.

SB survives OC in Three!

Harmon Park, 08-25-08 - This was a critical match for both contestants! A win from this position was assured at least a third place finish. Both players competing in their first TowerTennis Championship - and both positioned to do well! First blood was drawn by SB winning 6-3. The second set was tied at 6-6... SB was tasting victory, but OC wasn't laying down! OC dominates the tie-breaker - leveling the match at one set all. Now anyone's match... SB spanks OC, winning the match: 6-3, 6-7(7-2), 6-0.

Champ gets a scare but prevails!

PointeWest Stadium, 08/24/08 - The first set was all BR, the second was all SV... Then came the third! SV goes up 3-0 in the third, and is one point away from going up 4-0! Although not impossible to overcome; a 4-0 deficit is a formidable deficit to make up. A deficit the champ didn't want to face! SV had expended considerable energy running after lobs, while BR focused on hitting the ball away from SV. BR steps up his game-Result: A sluggish SV... and six unanswered games for BR. BR defeats SV 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

MM comes from behind to eliminate KN in Three!

American Legion Park WDM, 08-23-08 - MM was getting blown out of the water! Down 0-5, it looked as if KN would take the first set in a shut-out... Then MM makes it respectable closing to 3-5, before KN finishes him off.

The second set was closely fought: MM up 2-1, then tied 3-3. MM re-taking the lead 4-3, then going on to take the set. This leveled the match at one set all. Theoretically, the third set should have been close - perhaps even a tie-breaker. But a tie-breaker wasn't in the cards! MM starts serving hard - and his serve is hitting! MM takes the third, and with it wins his first TowerTennis Match! MM eliminates KN 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

DR writes his own prescription for success!

Harmon Park, 08-22-08 - A straight set victory for DR in no way reflects how difficult it was to achieve! Multi-shot rallies on virtually every point took a tole on DR midway through the 2nd set. Up one set, and leading 4-1 in the second - an especially hard fought, and long rally left DR winded. This opened a window of opportunity for DK. By taking advantage of his opponent's fatique, and starting to nail his first serve... DK closes to 3-4. It looked like the momentum had changed to DK's favor, but DR's consistency continued to rack up the points. DK fails to push his height advantage at the net, and suffers the consequences. DR takes the next two games, and with them the set and the match. DR defeats DK 6-3, 6-3.

Championship Repeat: BR defeats JT 6-4, 7-5.

PointeWest Stadium WDM, 08-19-08 - In another straight set victory - defending Champion BR tops Dynasty-Champion JT. At 50 years old... He's still got it!

Up one set already, BR goes up early in the second after JT suffers an ankle injury. Overcoming his pain JT fights back to lead 5-3. Knowing a three set battle against JT could prove fatal - BR changes back to earlier tactics which included drop shots. BR ties it up, then goes on to victory.

These two played one another in the 2007 Championship match where Dynasty Champion JT experienced his first defeat in tournament history. BR, both retired and one of the oldest players in the tournament now appears to be the early favorite to repeat as champion.

SB over-powers AJ in Three!

American Legion Park WDM, 08-16-08 - In another three set match, SB beat AJ, 6-2, 5-7, 6-3. In only the second match of his life, Tennis-Phenom, SB was victorious and continued in his quest to win the coveted TowerTennis Championship. Coasting to an easy 6-2 first set win, SB found himself down 4-2 in the second. But then three quick games found SB ahead and poised to quickly dispatch a deflated AJ.

Behind 4-5 in the second set, and down 15-40, AJ found a way to break SB's serve and erased two match points. Pulling to a 5-5 tie in the set, AJ held serve in the next game and won the set on a double fault by SB.

The third set was close early and AJ pulled to a 3-2 lead. But just as in his first round match, SB's serve started doing some damage in the third set. So impressed with the speed of his own first serve, SB was heard to remark on one occasion, "How did you hit that one back?" SB went on to win the last four games of the match.

Both SB and AJ had several aces throughout the match. The match lasted one hour and fifty minutes.

DH falls to OC in third set tie-breaker!

Harmon Park, 08-16-08 - DH's consistency took care of business the first set. Although OC whipped a powerful two-handed backhand, DH slammed each shot back - winning the first set 6-4. OC steps up in the second leveling the match at one set all - winning 6-1. The third was the thriller! Down 0-3... DH storms from behind taking the lead twice! Leading 5-4, and 6-5 respectively. DH now finds herself only 4 points from victory! What could have been going through her mind? OC survives, and ties it up at 6-6 - forcing a tie-breaker. OC then goes on to dominate the tie-breaker winning game, set, and match: 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4).

DK takes JR in straight sets!

Harmon Park,08-13-08 - DK uses his surprise underhanded serve to both avoid looking into the sun, and catch JR at the base-line. JR waits until match-point down to come alive, but runs into DK heating things up with repeated service winners. DK wins in straight sets: 6-3, 6-3.

Late resurgence proves fatal for KN

Harmon Park, 08-11-08 - It looked like KN would easily coast to a straight set victory. Winning the first in a tie-breaker, KN was leading 3-1 in the second. Then suddenly... AJ's aggressive style of play began racking up the points. AJ wins 5 unanswered games to tie the match at one set all. The third set was close as well - almost resulting in another tie-breaker! AJ wins his first TowerTennis match: 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 7-5.

BY takes DR to three!

Harmon Park, 08-11-08 - In another classic matchup - Two opponents with intense competitive spirits squared off this morning. BY's racket-ball style game was predicted to give DR a run for his money. After splitting the first two sets by identical scores. BY faced double match point down trailing 2-5. Fighting back to level the set at 5-5... The match could have gone either way. Then the doctor decides to operate - surgically cutting the next two games from BY's grasp. DR edges BY: 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.

SB surprises MM in a 3-Set battle!

American Legion Park WDM, 08-10-08 - Everyone knew SB was an athlete, but Wow! When SB unleashed his first serve - he looked like an A-Player. SB takes an early lead winning the first set 6-4, but can't finish MM off. MM storms from behind to take the second set: 7-5. Now anyone's match, SB's wicked first serve starts hitting. Giving SB an early lead in the final set. - SB goes on to win: 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.

DH defeats AN: 6-0, 6-1

08-09-08 Columbus Park - AN's introduction to tennis begins under the gun of tournament competition. First round opponent DH gives her young competitor a lesson to remember.

SV tops DNR in 2 1/2 hour battle!

PointeWest WDM, 08-09-08 - The first match of this year's tournament played out at PointeWest Stadium before a crowd of one. SV's sweetie provided moral support with periodic visits pushing a stroller. Neither opponent had played much to prepare for todays match. SV was especially concerned about his game after taking several major falls while roller-blading at Gray's Lake: "I feel like I can't take a full swing"... said SV. SV edges DNR 6-3, 6-4.