The 2010 TowerTennis Championship
Friday, December 17, 2010
SV defeats JM 5-7,6-4,3-3,9-4 in Pro-set conclusion of the 2010 TowerTennis Championship!
7-Flags Fitness Center & Racket Club
Clive, Iowa
By Steve England
In a match which spanned two weeks to conclude - SV and JM faced off once again in an attempt to determine a champion before year's end. In an unprecedented finish - players agree on a 9-game pro-set to conclude the championship (The 1st match was suspended at a tie when the facility closed before the match could be finished).
The 1st game went to 3-deuces before JM holds serve for a 1-0 lead. SV easily counters at 40-15 to level the set at 1-1. After one deuce SV breaks JM to take a 2-1 lead, then again holds at 40-15 to go ahead 3-1. In the 5th game JM holds at 40-30 to close to 2-3, then breaks SV after SV double-doubles to tie at 3-all. Fearing a JM resurgence... SV fights hard to break JM at 40-30, then leaps ahead to 5-3! JM battles back to close to 4-5, but that will be the last game JM will win. SV continues to rack up games until having an almost insurmountable lead of 8-4. Now serving to stay alive... JM has one double fault and two unforced errors to lose at 15-40 in the final game. SV wins the set and the championship 5-7,6-4,3-3,9-4. SV won 56% of all points played, and 85% of his 1st serves. While JM hit 26% of his 1st serves in, for a 58% winning percentage. SV had the edge with 1st serve return points with 42%, while JM won 15%. Both players were even on 2nd serve return points, but JM had more unforced errors at 34 to 23.
SV would like to acknowledge and thank Steve Delude for his help practicing throughout the year. "I firmly believe that it was this practice which elevated my game enough to defeat Jeff."
Friday, December 3, 2010
Match Suspended at a tie in the 3rd!
7-Flags Fitness Center
Clive, IA
By Steve England
Three hours just wasn't enough! A court change offered better seating for the crowd, but delayed the match about 20 minutes. A medical timeout for cramps took a little more time, but there was still nearly 2 1/2 hours of play. Unfortunately, when 9pm came... the facility closed with the match unresolved.
JM wins the toss and elects to serve... Opening with an ace to begin the match! JM breaks SV to take a 3-1 lead early in the 1st. SV hangs on... Eventually leveling the set at 5-all, but JM takes the next 2 for a 1st set victory which took an hour to conclude.
Each player's momentum alternated in the 2nd tied at both 2-all, and 4-all. When SV battles back from a 40-15 deficit to break JM in a pivotal 3-deucer. Leading 5-4 in the 2nd - SV holds a set point against JM, but can't finish him off as JM wins one of the hardest fought points of the match. Two points later JM hits the net - giving SV a 2nd set victory. This 2nd set also took close to an hour to conclude.
Short on time - JM quickly goes up 3-0 before SV can regain any momentum. SV returns the favor winning 3-straight to tie the set as time expires and the 7-Flags facility begins to close. What was looking like a nail biter will have to be resolved another day (Yet to be announced). Score stands at 1-set all, 3-all in the 3rd.
The officiating crew and ball-kids...
A special "Thank You" goes out for all those who volunteered their time to make the Final Match a pseudo-professional event! KB served both as match umpire, and honored the event with a well executed rendition of the National Anthem. So good in fact - all activity on the adjoining courts stopped out of respect! BW and MM served as line judges - their calls left no doubt whether a ball was in or out. A couple critical calls could have gone the other way, and perhaps changed the course of the match without their keen (hawk) eyes! KB and JM volunteered their oldest children as ball-kids (A sometimes dangerous endeavour)! Not depicted is TowerTennis Photographer KS. Without him there would be no pictorial record of the match. A collection of his work will be added as time permits. Lastly, I'd like to thank the spectators who showed their support by attending the final match!
Friday, November 19, 2010
JM blast his way into Finals!
7-Flags Fitness Center
By Steve England
CG falls to cannonball serves, and vectored vollies 6-0, 6-1. Playing with an injured shoulder - JM fights back the pain, ripping service winners and aces to dominate CG. Although CG demonstrated incredible footwork - getting to unbelievable shots, and forcefully directing them where he wanted - JM was a brick wall at the net! It was almost an exercise in futility - as CG found it almost impossible to get pass JM. CG took aim at JM's vulnerability, but this tactic only occasionally worked. More often than not, this resulted in a JM volley carefully vectored into the open court.
JM's shots were so powerful - the felt flew off the balls, and his string vibration dampener shot across the court. Mr. Bode has indeed mastered "racket-head speed" technique!
CG was forced to play a defensive match. Although CG did a great job directing his shots away from JM - He does not yet possess the skilled strokes of an advanced player.
It appeared CG might make a match of it at the beginning of the 2nd! CG wins the 1st-game by exploiting JM's injury. JM sits on the ground in obvious agony, as he nursed his inflamed shoulder. Then CG steps it up at 2-1 down, but JM is simply too much! JM continues to rack up the games until holding a triple match-point against CG. Although CG survives one match-point, JM then rips a service winner at double match-point to close out the semifinals. JM confidently advances to the TowerTennis Championship Finals, as CG describes himself as the Buffalo Bills of TowerTennis.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
CG returns to semi-finals!
Harmon Park
By Steve England
Crisp fall air and a low afternoon sun was the backdrop as an over extended tournament struggles to finish before the first snows obscure the service lines. On this last day of Daylight Savings - Thanksgiving and Football seems a more appropriate topic than tennis. Yet, there are a couple more matches to conclude.
Today's quarterfinal match features two 1st-year players. One of these new players is striving for a chance to make TowerTennis history. If CG can win - he'll become the only player to ever get a chance to make the finals not once, but twice!
CG arrives strutting to the court talking smack! Seemingly unfazed by such banter - KS wins the toss, and elects to receive.
Virtually every point in this match was a multiple-shot marathon where both players showed restraint until an advantage opened up. Rarely straying from moderately paced shots - the rallies were long and plentiful!
Despite opening with a double/double - CG's serve became noticeably stronger as the match progressed. His form was classic, and his serve powerful! Yet, KS had no problem returning even the most formidable of these monsters! KS frequently used a spinning backhand slice both deep and as a drop shot. KS also utilized a low profile flat shot which just barely missed the net each time. Although every point was hotly contested - KS seemed to make more unforced errors. There were several volleys KS returned while standing near the base-line. These shots most certainly would have landed long had KS permitted them to bounce - but CG usually converted these gifts into points won. In a typical game: KS finds himself triple break-point down. But saves one breaker after another to tie at deuce. Several Ad's are exchanged before KS hits long adding another game to CG's tally. On one set-point, CG rushes the net, only to fall to a surgically executed lob. One set-point saved - but more to come!
CG begins taunting KS with trash-talking banter! Then takes an unauthorized water break at 2-0 in the 2nd. Quickly called out for an illegal break - a hydration aspersion is made! CG's confidence grows with 1-set under his belt, and leading 5-2 in the 2nd. CG continues to taunt his opponent, uttering: "Are you ready for your last game of the year Kemo Sabe?" CG closes it out-winning 6-2,6-2. Advancing to his 2nd semifinal, and making TowerTennis history along the way!
CG's arrogance is good natured, and all in fun! His next opponent however, is unmatched when it comes to quick witted sarcasm. CG may very likely get a big dose of his own medicine playing JM. We'll see if he takes as well as he gives. All kidding aside: CG should be proud of his accomplishment! He's made history with his two semifinal appearances, and could conceivably make more with just a few winning strokes. Only one man stands between CG and the TowerTennis Finals... Who will win? It should at least be entertaining to watch the banter!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
KS makes Quarterfinals! Tops AJ in three!
This past Thursday, Harmon Courts hosted an elimination match featuring AJ taking on KS. AJ brought a strong game, taking the first set 6-2. KS fought back in the second set, taking advantage of the setting sun in the west, which made serving from the north side of the court much easier. Several points went to deuce, but KS won the second set 6-2. Battling through an even third set tied at 4-4, many points and games were taken by close margins and excellent volleys between KS and AJ. The final two games were won by KS, final score 2-6, 6-2, 6-4. KS advances to the victor of the MM and CG match.
JM survives quarterfinal challenge!
Quarterfinal Showdown - "You can't win, if you don't hit it in!" Is a phrase inspired by watching DR's game. Although Jeff is considerably younger, and played organized tennis in school. The last time these two faced-off - Dean was the victor! The same tactics Dean used his first encounter with Jeff almost worked again! Although down early, Dean's consistency allows him to battle back to close (4-5). Dean is only 2-points away from leveling this first set, when Jeff fluffs a weak shot over the net. This gives Dean a chance for advantage, but makes a rare unforced error - hitting into the net! Now set-point down - Dean seems focused, but JM pressures by approaching the net. Dean lobs, but it's long! Game and 1st-set go to JM.JM consistently approached the net whenever DR hit short. This gave JM a position of strength each time, from which Dean had to fight off. Dean's primary defense was the lob, but JM's height and reach mostly nullified this tactic! Only a perfect shot dropping on or near the baseline ever proved effective. Dynasty Champion JT (previously eliminated by JM) encountered similar challenges in his loss to JM earlier in the tournament.
DR breaks JM in the 1st-game of the 2nd! Now serving, and tied at deuce. DR hits a hybrid passing-shot to JM's backhand landing near the sideline. DR goes on to hold, and takes a 2-0 lead!
The tactical advantage JM's serve provides is often neutralized by DR simply blocking it back into play. Although the return is defensive in nature - JM is frequently unable to capitalize by making an unforced error.
Now leading 2-0 and holding a break-point. DR faces a weak 2nd serve to only put it into the net! This gave up a great chance to break for a 3-0 lead!
Followed by aggressive serve & volley play - JM then hits a monster 1st-serve to close (1-2). DR holds the next game at love by nailing multiple lobs (3-1). JM's serve is hitting so hard, Dean is literally standing at the fence (10-feet behind baseline)! JM saves a break-point to close to (2-3)!
CRITICAL POINT - Leading 3-2 but winded. DR fights to keep JM from leveling the set. DR holds to go up (4-2). This match could have been over had DR loss that game! JM is serving and takes the next game at love (4-3)DR. The 2nd-set offered two turning point games JM was unable to convert! DR holds serve at love to lead (5-3) 2nd-set! JM serving but down 2 set-points at 15-40. DR had JM on the ropes but allows him to tie at 40-all! Frustrated at going down yet another set-point - JM throws his racket into the fence! JM now channels his emotion into a monster 1st-serve! Only to have it blocked back by DR (advantage Dean), then point Dean. We are tied at 1-set all!
In the 3rd-set DR seems to have a psychological advantage. DR holds at love to take take a 1-0 lead as JM displays continued frustration slamming a ball into the fence! Renewed aggression - aided by a generous call by DR allows JM to level the match at 1-1.
JM breaks for a 2-1 lead, and gains the strategic advantage. JM has started to focus his frustration into improved performance, but now makes a rare double-fault to give Dean a triple break-point! Perhaps fatigue caused a lack of effort! DR fails to reach a short shot allowing JM to save 3 break-points and ties at deuce! Profanities fly as DR loses another break-point! After a multiple deuce exchange JM pulls ahead (3-1). DR just couldn't convert and loses his chance to tie at 2-all and serving for the lead in the final set! JM now edges ahead (4-1), then (5-1).
Serving into the sun to stay alive: DR gives up a 30-love lead to eventually lose the game. JM survives a quarterfinal challenge from DR 6-4,3-6,6-1!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
CG's road to Championship takes a detour to the other bracket!
In an epic struggle on the hallowed courts of Park Harmon... Two undefeated combatants battled for a trip to the TowerTennis Finals. One contestant has been here before... the other looks to make tournament history. When the battle was over - one would advance for a date at 7-Flags, while the other would take a detour to the other bracket. Today, experience won over youth as CG lost in straight sets to SV. 0-6, 1-6. CG is unique in his position as a (winner-bracket) semi-finalist. He's the one person who can play in both semis'. The other players remaining should beware... CG is now there!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
AJ serves-up BW a straight set loss!
AJ starts slow allowing BW to gain a 3-0 lead before his service game awoke. Much like a proverbial sleeping giant - once awake, WATCH OUT! AJ only loses 3 of the next 15 games!AJ jumps ahead in the 2nd, meeting little resistance until mid-way. BW closes to 2-3, but unforced errors and a match ending double-double ends BW's tournament. AJ serves up a straight set loss to BW 6-4, 6-2.
AJ won 55% of all points played, and 90% of all his 1st serves. Despite a low 1st serve percentage of 33%. In contrast BW's 1st serve percentage was much better at 71%, and lead 2nd serves won. However, unforced errors killed him, and ultimately lost him the match. Tennis Trakker Statistics by Kyle Schewe
Confident rookie looks forward to semi-final encounter with SV!
Undefeated players meet in winner-bracket semi-final Tuesday September 21, 2:30pm at Harmon Park. In his rookie year of playing in the TowerTennis Championship - CG has surprised the odds makers and now finds himself only one match away from playing for a trophy! Can he pull it off? Standing in his way is SV. SV was playing very well earlier in the season, but has had difficulty lately.
CG is roughly 25 years younger, but this is SV's 7th TowerTennis Championship. The semi-final will match up youthful vigor against experience and wisdom. Who will prevail? A court side seat will reveal the answer - Tuesday at Harmon... Don't miss what could be a historic event!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
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