Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Cotton Bowl draws out soon

So one of our biggest local tourneys is coming up soon.

Here is the link where you can see who has signed up in each event:
http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=71913

I know some of joked about playing down but I do wonder why anyone would really want to "play down" I rarely play tourneys but when I do I am usually looking to play a variety of players that are on par with my ability and get progressively better as the weekend goes on. But I guess this is the last hurrah weekend to show off your old ranking so enjoy it while it lasts (Brian, Marc and Matt) I actually think these guys would have been competitive in the 4.5 draw although Miles, Kiron, Kern and others make that a pretty good local draw.

4.0 Draw: 52 players
4.5 Draw: 30
3.5 Draw: 27

I am guessing this trend will continue and 4.5 might actually get larger as the season wears on and people want some good competition. I also wonder if the 5.0 and Open draws will start to fill up as well. Open singles has 92 players in it (WOW!).

Doubles draws are very good at 4.0 and 4.5 with 16 teams involved but 3.5 is a little small and I think that will also be true for the rest of the season.

Early predictions:

3.5: Ronald Jones, Berco Neiman could win this
4.0: Fankhauser, Studey, Lucky Thunder???
4.5: Kern, Wescoup and Miles are favs

I am just ready to play and hoping for some good weather.

240 comments:

  1. Ronald Jones will not win. Berco Neiman.. maybe. He has done awful well in Ultimate Tennis.

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  2. It’s really crazy to see some of these guys that were at the top of their level and got bumped ….wanting to play at their old level. What’s the point! For the dudes that are playing down, have some balls!

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  3. This tourny is the same as any other this year, just because it's the last doesn't make it any different, it might as well be in March, it doesn't matter. People still want ranking points, etc, for this year.

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  4. Ranking points .... It doesn't matter is you got bumped. One should start playing at their new level and start building a new ranking.

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  5. those 4.5 vets are going to destroy most of the 4.0 bump-ups, there is a big difference in class

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  6. I will take Kern over Miles and Wescoup, assuming he's been playing. I see a lot of names that will get crushed in the 4.5, but I would guess some of them are going to be changed to the 4.0 draw.

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  7. I like Kern and Kiron in dubs too. Huffman and Wescoup will be their only threat that I see.

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  8. yea, almost all of those 4.0 bump-ups will be lucky to win a couple of games against the good 4.5s. but hey, spend your $30 how you want

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  9. Now is the time to get your feet wet and test the comp!

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  10. Last year's winner in 4.5's, Justin Huffman, switched from this year's 4.5 draw to Men's 30. Look at the Open contenders----there are people there who will be lucky to win a couple games against the top players also.

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  11. $30, did you get a discount, I paid $40. would have liked dubs too but hard to justify that much money for two days of tennis when I got to buy from Disney princess stuff for XMAS.

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  12. I have just started playing again the past year. Have not played in a real tournament since I was a junior and am looking to get back into them. What are some of the good local tournaments? 4.5 singles or doubles. Unfortunately I will be in Houston for the holidays, so I will have to miss the Cotton Bowl.

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  13. Brookhaven has one in March that usually has a good number of entrants.

    Not much other than that besides major zone tournaments.

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  14. Yeah, Brookhaven tourneys are the biggest. Plano Open is big but that's not until July.

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  15. Way to go, Rossouw! Nice to see you have balls and will be playing 4.5 draw!

    Pussy Fankhauser is still in 4.0 draw. Pussy!! Why would you play in 4.0, Matt??? You have no 2009 4.0 ranking points any way!

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  16. You're probably right, I should have played 4.5. I figured most of the bump-ups would still play 4.0 in this tournament - and I tried to change it this afternoon but they've already completed the seedings and draw so it's too late. I'm sure there will still be plenty of tough competition though, and as long as the weather's good, it will be a lot of fun.

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  17. We could use a poll as to who gets their panties in a wad most towards anon postings. Here are some candidates that come to mind.

    Rossouw
    Weymer
    Gerber
    Noel
    Morrison
    E. Hill

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  18. Berco Neiman is in 3.5???
    Seriously?!!

    I can't believe what a pussy you are, Berco!! You tanked all of your spring matches... 6 in a row, winning less than 3 games per match?! And some of those matches were against very weak players.

    But in Ultimate Tennis you beat folks who are top 4.0s and some are 4.5 bump-ups.

    WTF?! Dude, I have no respect for you!!!
    Let me guess... you will play for Bender again.
    You are worthless piece of $hit!!!

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  19. I'm glad someone called Berco out. And yes, I am sure he will be playing for Bender's 3.0 team, I mean 3.5 team.

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  20. OMG! berco is in 3.5s for 2010! wow! i agree with previous post. this is a total chicken shit.

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  21. The only chicken shits around here are anons.

    Rossouw
    Weymer
    Gerber
    Noel
    Morrison
    E. Hill

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  22. BERCO DID NOT TANK YOU DUMB ASSES. He lost badly to Mel Parekh and Enrique Durand both outstanding players and both far better than Berco. Durand beat Jim Warner 6-2, 6-0. He beat Lorenzo Ruiz 6-1, 6-1 and he beat Enrique Molina 6-2,6-3. All three of those guys are far better than Berco.
    Berco also lost some dbl matches badly but Berco is HORRIBLE at dbls. Berco's serve is a joke & he has no net game at all. Any halfway decent player kills Berco in dbls.
    Spineless anons just like to cry & complain.

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  23. What happened to Berco is a great example of why the USTA is so screwed up. When he got bumped up from 3.0 to 4.0, it completely took him out of the picture as no way in hell he was close to a 4.0 at the time. He's been working on his game and it's taken him a year to get to a lower 4.0 level, and now with the latest fiasco, he would probably be ok at the 4.0 level, yet he's now a 3.5. At 3.5 he will dominate, no doubt about it. The system is plain screwed up. A prime example.

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  24. yep system is screwed big time. 2 years ago berco lost to alan gerber and lost to bill toney yet was doubled bumped from 3.0 to 4.0. that was a joke. meanwhile alan played 3.5 the last 2 years and bill is still a 3.5. while berco was way over his head at 4.0. berco deserves his chance to play 1 year at 3.5. just turns out the usta diluted 3.5 talent in 2010.

    btw we have way too mnay cry babies on this blog.

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  25. Horseshit!!

    Berco's record at Ultimate tennis:

    Level Seasons Matches W L
    4.0 1 7 5 1
    4.5 3 21 17 4
    5.0 1 7 3 3
    Total 5 35 25 8

    His 8 losses did come from some very good top 4.0s and now 4.5 players. But he usually won more than 3 games per match!! I know Durand and they (enrique and berco) play all the time. Enrique usually wins but in 3 sets or tough 2 sets... and not 0 and 0.

    But look at his 25 wins!! Some were against players whose names I see on the 4.0 seeded list at Cotton bowl.

    So, his spring record of 6 straight losses (most with goose eggs) is an obvious example of tanking. Just admit it!

    Berco - you haven't even tried at 4.0 level. You are a damn pussy! No respect for you!!

    I always discounted the tanking allegations from other anons. But when it hit close to home... I know you well. This is bullshit. Whom are you trying to cheat? I am disgusted with you, Berco!!!!!

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  26. Next case, Brian Morrison. Oh shoot, nevermind, he was bumped down because he sucks.

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  27. Anybody who takes any more potshots at Berco will have to deal with me.

    Dogface

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  28. anon 8:41 am
    you truly are retarded
    no one here cares what you think

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  29. Undercard to Gerber/Morrison Fight

    3 round sumo match

    Steven Benett vs Johnn Sisk

    (no sumo suits necessary)

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  30. Holy cow, you better have a crane ready in case either of those two go down. And the ref. better be fast on his feet cause getting caught between those bellies will be hazardous to anyone's life.

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  31. I want a revenge match against Bennett. This time sumo style.

    Tim Newman

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  32. To all the pinheads out there who constantly complain about alleged tanking: shut up, everybody has done it sometime in their career. So quit being a hypocrite.

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  33. Don't put everybody in the same category as you.

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  34. Bennett and Sisk naked???? No thank you, I want more than a sumo suit. Can we get them a suit of armor or something?

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  35. Hey Anon 1:08. I've never tanked in my life, but I have managed the score. There's a fine line between the two. One is unethical, the other is just part of tennis.

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  36. Knock off the fat jokes. Obesity is a disesase not something that can be controlled by diet and exercise.

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  37. I pik Sisk in the battle of the bulge-no joke intended

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  38. I've never tanked. I've played horribly though.

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  39. I never tanked. But 5 times I played horribly on purpose.

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  40. Fraser, I think we can all make an exception and ask that you specifically post as an anon from here forth. We just don't want to keep tying your stupid comments to your ugly mug and shrunken shorts.

    Bazan

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  41. I tried tanking once but the other guy was doing the same thing. I ended winning 7-6 in the third because he had the last serve and double faulted on purpose.

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  42. Pay attention to the 3.5 Men's Doubles at the tourney and you will learn some of the finer points of tanking by a certain tandem.

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  43. TRI-LEVEL FORECAST
    Best teams overall:
    1) Feldman
    2) Nishizaki

    Good teams:
    3) Morrison
    4) Bender
    5) Arcaria
    6) Kraemer

    Fair teams:
    7) Smith
    8) Bazan

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  44. My picks for the Cotton Bowl:

    4.0 Singles: Matt Fankhauser-Will he lose a set?
    4.5 Singles: Jeff Matlock-Former 5.0 with a huge backhand and serve.
    4.0 Doubles: Jason Fraser/Jeromie Ryan-both very consistent players with weapons. They'll be tough to beat.
    4.5 Doubles: I'm going with a sleeper here. Kevin Conway/Yuri Yermakov. They're not seeded but are dangerous. Conway's return game and net play is as good as anybody's in Dallas. Yermaokov has a strong serve and solid ground strokes. Both play very aggressively and are capable of taking down teams in less time than it took to sign in and warm up. Watch out for them. Here's predicting they bring home some hardware.

    I'll be in Europe but I'll check the web to see how my predictions turn out. If correct I'll post my stock picks for 2010.

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  45. Fuckkyourhouse is a pusher. I promise. Just watch.

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  46. Don't bother checking Fix, your 4.5 predictions are terrible.

    Matlock isn't a singles player.
    Conway/Yermakov - did you even look at who the doubles teams were?

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  47. My pick for 4.0 is Scott Baker. Most have no idea who he is but he should beat Fankhauser. If Scott is in any kind of shape and does not get tired thorugh the matches, I think he wins.

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  48. 4.0 singles: Fankhauser (Baker is good but not in the same class as Fankhauser who is no pusher) Schwartz & Taylor will also be factors

    4.0 Dubs: sorry Jason but my picks are Harrigan & Stevens with Moore & Smith right behind them. Jason & Jeromie would be third favorites

    4.5 singles: Kern or Kiron

    4.5 Dubs: Kiron & Kern

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  49. To all the posters who are ridiculing the 4.5 bump-ups who have opted to play the last tourney of the year at their old level - get over it. Anybody that wants to have further discussion on the issue, I will be at the "Haven" this weekend (that's Brookhaven CC for you non-members)watching matches.

    Kern is in a class by himself and will win 4.5 singles by a landslide.

    dogface

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  50. Where are the draws?

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  51. Chill out, the tourney web site indicates draws posted on tues.

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  52. Rossouw is right...Smith Moore and Harrigan Stevens will both be challenging. Good competition this year. Should be fun.

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  53. While I appreciate the confidence, I'm just hoping to win a match or two in singles and that Kiron can carry me in doubles. Haven't played hardly any tennis since Combo so just hoping to have a fun weekend. Happy holidays to everyone.

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  54. suck it biatches you are all playing for 2nd place this weekend. Scott, Mattie and I will take Kern on in the 4.5 v. 4.0 champion match on Monday.

    You are all going down, OK yes I have been drinking.

    XMAS parties are the best.........

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  55. I have to agree about the Matlock prediction. Jeff is a great player but I don't think he is on a singles court too often. If Kern truly hasn't been playing much (which I'm sure you wouldn't lie about it), Wescoup is heavy favorite. Then again, who has been playing in the last month with this weather?

    Conway and Yermakov could pull an upset or two in dubs, wouldn't be the first time. Certainly would be a surprise if they won the event though.

    Really, as a tournament player it makes no sense to play your old level in this event because it will not help your ranking next year. Unless you are trying to improve your year-end standings (which is understandable because a lot of guys, including myself, play for rankings and points), there is no other reason to play down because that would hurt your chances of getting into Masters next year. Although I would say the likelihood of a bumpup making Masters is unlikely next year, especially in 4.5.

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  56. Trey McKinney, ranked 46 4.0 2008, played the Masters in 2009. He was bumped up for 2009. Just picking nits----you're right, the chances of a 2010 bump up making Masters is slim to none.

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  57. That must be one hell of a party. I didn't know 7-11 got all it's employees together for an x-mas celebration considering most of them are muslim. Bazan, did you have to wear a turban on your head to partake?

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  58. Wescoup switched to Open.
    Will have to see the draws before making predictions.

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  59. 4.5 and above Masters can be such a crap shoot, especially in today's economy where less people are traveling. Trey did make Masters this year but he had a 5-9 record and only 600 points. I didn't realize that tournament participation had gone down so much since I didn't really follow it this year.
    This is certainly nothing against Trey since he put in the commitment to get the ranking points and deserved to go to Masters just an observation.
    So yes a 4.0 bump-up certainly could make Maters this year but if that is your goal you definitely need to play 4.5 at Cotton Bowl.

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  60. I'm winning 4.0 singles easily.

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  61. How will we know if you lose or win if you don't give a name?

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  62. Blog Moderators - Is there not a way to make it impossible to have "Anonymous" postings? Can you not just take away that option?

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  63. Hey for that matter the world won't come to end if you shut this blog down completely. It has outlived its usefulness.

    BSSmith

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  64. You're right Jason. I'm happy for Trey for making Masters but it really was not a huge accomplishment this year. Very few players, in 4.5 especially, even played 5 tournaments overall, and even less played 5 major zones which is usually a requirement to advance to the Masters. I think the USTA could really help their tournament participation if they made the Masters tournament a free event, instead of charging a higher entry fee than normal for a tournament that is supposed to be a reward for your achievements.

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  65. Not only is Kern a great player with his classic serve and volley style of play, but he is a very humble person and is probably the smartest and most astute observer of Texas tennis. I nominate him for Texan of the Year.

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  66. It was nice of Jason's mom to post that last comment!

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  67. Since we are passing out accolades, I think we should take a moment to thank Coredawg and all the other blogmeisters for their tireless work and devotion in making this blog the tremendous success it is. May all your serves be aces in 2010.

    Your biggest fan

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  68. Why does Kern's mom call him Kern?

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  69. fast eddie hill is the winner of the most improved player of 2009 in the metroplex and also the most loquacious; captain of the year has to go to Bobby Somabut, as he managed to keep all those egos in check and get to nationals. Just one hacker's opinion.

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  70. It was nice of Jason's mom to post that last comment.

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  71. Watch your language toejam. mothers read this blog.

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  72. JD will beat JK in the quarters; take it to the bank.

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  73. Lucky Thunder has a clean shot to the semis. He's taking no prisoners.

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  74. The only shot lucky thunder has is at 3.5, and that one is guaranteed.

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  75. Kern still has 2 arms and 2 legs and therefore won't lose to JD.

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  76. I second the JD will beat JK and the Kern sucks posts.
    How did we get into that section of the doubles draw?!
    Merry Christmas to all!
    -Tiny Tim

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  77. Kern beat JD pretty convincingly in Fort Worth in 08 I believe. I would say Jason has gotten better since then and JD has gotten worse based on results.

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  78. As he shows by his recent post, the immoral Jason Kern is a humble decent guy with a good sense of humor. Although he seems a little confused. He is playing J.D. in singles not in doubles as JK indicates. Even role models make occasional mistakes. How many guys take the time to put on a tie for their icon.

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  79. Cotton bowl predictions!

    3.5 Winner Berco Neiman
    4.0 Winner Brian Studey
    4.5 Winner Paul Kiron
    Doubles
    3.5 Clark/Jones
    4.0 Harrigan/Stevens
    4.5 Kern/Kiron

    Epic Fail will be the loser of the first round matchup between Bazan vs. Lipsie...

    The Swamie

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  80. Clark/Jones, Harrigan/Stevens should win since they are playing their old levels and most are playing their new levels.

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  81. so, oyu are saying that Brian Studey will beat Fankhauser in Round of 16? Not so sure! But whoever wins that match will win the whole thing.

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  82. Sorry the doubles comment was a separate thought. Should have added another space. If Kiron is feeling up to it physically, he can certainly win the singles.

    I had the tux on for the picture but I thought that may have been overkill.

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  83. Sorry to burst the bubble of the Kern fans but if he makes the quarters he is going down to Miles, who will make him pay for his lack of conditioning and over aggressiveness with consistency and electric passing shots.

    CoreDawg it's too bad you aren't playing in this watered down field, I think you could win.

    My sleeper in the 4.0 singles is Sweet Baby James Taylor, and my longshot in the 4.5 singles is Paul Lee Trevino. They are both a little stocky but they are graceful as ballerinas on the court.

    A martian

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  84. James Taylor and graceful ballerina... talk about something I thought I would never see mentioned in the same sentence. He is pretty good but I can't see him making it that many rounds. I heard Taylor and Sisk's crew were in a twinkies blood bath.

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  85. Never seen Frank Houser or Study play, but it seems like #1 seed russell is being overlooked. Lukey Thunder too. This will be L.T.'s coming out party with him meeting Russell in the final.

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  86. Trevino could not win the 4.0 draw much less the 4.5 draw.

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  87. FrankNbeans and Studley have no chance against Thunderlips Bazan. Scottrusselltennis.com v Thunderlips may be televised.

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  88. Trevino won the 4.5 at southlake not too long ago. Granted a much smaller event, but he is no 4.5 pushover.

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  89. Good idea, televised right after the Cotton Bowl parade.

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  90. James Taylor winning 4.0 singles?????? Give me a break! The dude will never make it!

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  91. Paul Trevino winning 4.5 singles? What are you smoking? Paul is a middle of the road 4.0 player (especially since the new ratings came out). All Paul does is get in the way and mop up some consolation points.

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  92. What? Scott Russell "The Tennis Pro" in the 4.0 finals ............I don't think so! Well .....maybe? If everyone withdrew from the tournament.

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  93. Hey martian: with comments like that it's clear you are not from this planet

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  94. USTA Coach of the Decade goes to Robert Bender. His teams are perennial contenders, and he is light years ahead of the other captains as far as recruiting and scouting goes. We also owe him a debt of gratitude for bringing score management out of the closet and into the mainstream of league tennis.

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  95. Scott R, Paul T, James T, and Bazan: stop putting your names here. Be lucky to get through round 1 and at most round 2.
    Scott, you will lose Wade Varner in round 1.
    Others may survive round 1. James Taylor may get to round 3 at most (as your draw is favorable).

    end of discussion...

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  96. As the year ends, my vote for biggest PUSSY of the year goes to Christopher Jones for jumping at every chance to play 3.5. Once again playing 3.5 with Clark for absolutely no reason at all. No end of year rankings, nothing, zilch. That guy was out of level at 3.5, gets bumped up, yet insists on playing down. Grow a pair you homo.

    2009 PUSSY ALERT award goes to Christopher Banjo Vulva Jones

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  97. Damn!!! Somebody sounds like they really have it in for C. Jones... come on man its the holidays! Where is your Christmas spirit?

    By the way I think its way weak that he and Clark are playing 3.5, they must not like compitition! That's the only reason I can think of for them playing down at 3.5!

    The only thing as sorry as these guys is that Berco Neiman dude playing 3.5, if you look up the work "tanking" in the dictionary you will see his picture, along with Bob Bender!

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  98. Chris my man you should have saved yourself some grief and played 4.0 in this tourney. When in doubt always ask yourself what would coredawg do.

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  99. I'm fine with the JD and my poor conditioning talk Martian but when you say Trevino would win I chuckle and then when you say CoreDawg could win the event if he was in it I really know your kidding (I hope he doesn't visit this site).

    However, if you are talking about the James Taylor that I played 3 years ago in 4.0, I can buy into him winning 4.0.

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  100. Yes, this is the same JT from three years ago, but with 30 extra lbs.

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  101. He did lose his credibility with the Trevino comment but I like his opinion of me. I have retired from tournament tennis after winning my last 4.5 tournament. I don't think I've ever seen JD hit an "electric" passing shot, even though he is certainly good. How did Jason's lack of conditioning fare when he made the finals of the 4.5 singles and doubles in Waco in June?

    However, after seeing the field and delaying my vacation I wish I was playing. Especially if I could have gotten in that weak section with JD and Kern. That would have been a cakewalk.

    I also think you guys are underestimating Russell in singles, especially in the new 4.0. The number one seed rarely wins a Brookhaven tournament but he certainly has a good shot to go deep in the draw.

    I hope I can make it out to watch some of the matches. All you players need to keep us updated.

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  102. "How did Jason's lack of conditioning fare when he made the finals of the 4.5 singles and doubles in Waco in June?"
    Tim Green beat him in the semi's in May.

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  103. gawd this site has gone down hill

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  104. no it hasn't. People express what they feel and what they want. there are plenty of evidence that some players among us are total cowards and manipulators who want to win not on their level of skill. I thank Anons for bringing up Berco, C jones, and others. I would have never known.

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  105. Hi, guys, never posted here before. But I have not seen my name since a long time ago when some anon of course said I have no right to play 4.5 at Brookhaven and that I win by defaults in the 4.0 level! Well, well if I can pat myself on the back.
    I have always played a level above my NTRP while playing the level I am suppose to. When I was #1 in 3.5 singles AND get this AND #1 Doubles in 2006 when there were no old farts in the top 3.5's at that time. Wait... its 2009 3 seasons later, and I still haven't seen any of you loser anons do that! Be #1 in both that is. I don't think it was luck.
    Then I was told would never be top 50 in 4.0s. But... pat on the back again 2006 same yr. I ended up 35 in that same yr. look it up. Wait, 25 in 2007, and 15 this yr. and I would have been top 8 BUT...yes I have been playing 4.5 while rated 4.0.....so that explains why I wasn't ranked higher. By the way, 17-10 record, I guess they were wrong about the top 50 thing huh. Oh that brings me to 4.5 whiny little girls that don't want to play 4.5... I have been there the whole time and have a 12-8 record with 2 finals knocking a #1 seed out of the way. Yes I got a huge 11 points in one tourny and 6 in another because of consolation but I don't think it made a difference in my ranking you dips. So in reality I have an 8-8 record and am #43 in the state without even trying. BUT... next year I will play all 4.5 with no league so I can play more and get better...so expect me to be the top 20 you dips and top 50 in OPEN you no balls chicken----ts.
    Jason Kern, I've heard your name but don't know why your knocking me? That's cool, maybe I don't know you cause you don't play much? 3-1 in Waco loosing in semis? You see, I look before I talk. But I'm glad you at least post you name as I. So no hating here, after all I am seeded over you and lead you in the rankings by 21 SPOTS! I never said I would win this, but I also never said I would win Southlake either. Thanks to whoever posted that I am a longshot, because yes.. I am. But it wasn't me that posted that. I am a former Marine and have balls Gentleman.. I mean dips. You will know when I post and I hope no one else will use my name. Thats cool. Oh, and by the way. I have already won Brookhaven 4 times in 3.5 and 2 times in 4.0 so whoever posted that I never won Brookhaven, you were wrong. Every year that I played Cotton Bowl I didn't need the points at whatever level I was at that time. So I played up with balls. BUT... I need the points to try and make it to the 20's in ranking. Try and stop me.... You see, all you dips playing 4.0 the whole year should have been doing what I was doing at 4.5...now get used to seeing me seeded at EVERY tournament that you play in and I will treat all of you like the chicken--hit loosers that you are.
    Now, I'm done... I hope this gets posted and bring on your sorry anons comments and words. I see you guys are also on Facebook. I'll figure out who you are with your wording. Sorry sacks.... Try and keep up. I bet the ones ahead of me on rankins aren't the ones talking sh--!
    Paulie T

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  106. Just read the Paulie T. autobiography. Kept me up all night. Highly recommend it.

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  107. paulie t: there's help out there, seek it.

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  108. great post paulie t.
    Pussies play down 4 sure.

    Any player who believes he is good at their computer rated level should also play a few matches a level up during the year to get a feel for where there game needs to be at...

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  109. Thank you for your input. I agree about the pussies playing down. I am keeping a list like Santa to see how many will actually play 4.5 next year. Usually dips with high rankings in the 4.0s dissapear at 4.5 level and give some lame excuss about why they can't play. Family kids and all that bullshhhh.

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  110. After much soul searching and in the spirit of the season, I must admit I was wrong. I wish to retract my previous prediction that J.D. will beat Jason. I'm not sure what I was thinking. J. D. has been a good player at the 4.5 level for many years, but he would have to play his very best tennis to beat Jason. My profound apologies to both guys.

    Next to my sleeper designation given to Sweet Baby James. With his admission of gaining 30 lbs. since playing Kern in '07, I have to retract that prediction. Sorry James, but tennis is tough enough without carrying any excess baggage.

    Coredawg you are a good guy too, but I was overzealous in saying you could win the tourney. No disrespect to anyone about the unwarranted watered down field comment. I do think Cordawg is very close to moving up to the top tier of the 4.5 level.

    Lastly to my longshot designation of Paul Lee T. He very capably makes a strong case for the designation, so I am standing by the prediction. Go Paul Lee, I will be pulling for you man.

    I feel better now. Peace, Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad.

    Your friendly martian

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  111. Semper Fi Paul!! When are you going to make the multiple county trip back to Garland? Molina has my email when you want to come out.

    IMO all levels are watered down w/undeserved bump-ups and a handful of well deserved bumps, so it really doesn't matter about playing down. I do respect you for your history of playing up historically. There are many players with losing records that got bumped-up.

    The 4.0 landscape is really 3.5 as we've seen for years, with pockets of remaining(solid) 4.0's. I have a strong nucleus to build on in the Spring, all 8 of them.

    At the 4.5 level, Noel, Branch, Hai,T-Bar, Brookhaven, etc. will still be the strength of 4.5. Personally, my guy's will be competing against many of the same players that they've seen for the last year at 4.0.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all, may 2010 bring good health and prosperity!

    Off to Northpark

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  112. Hi John, nice to hear from you and I will try to go that way once it warms up. Thanks for the invite.

    I agree about some guys getting bumped when they shouldn't have, and agree about 4.0 really being 3.5 except for the top 20 in the state I believe those guys are at the next level. Guys like James Muray from Houston who has been top 5 for the last 3 yrs and not getting bumped confused me, and I have gotten beat by guys in 4.0 that would kick a lot of 4.5s imo. Those are the guys I was talking about. I got spanked in Houston 2 yrs ago by a guy that lost only 1 set in the finals and he won it. Turned out he was an Olympic Player at one time from another country. WTF? I still haven't seen any open players in 4.5, which is pleasant.
    Goo luck to you and your team, and Merry Christmas.

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  113. Paul,
    Unless I have the wrong Paul Trevino, we have met before and I have seen you at numerous tournaments. So if I have the wrong guy disregard all posts. If I have the right guy, I have always respected how you play above your level and are constantly working on your game but I would be surprised if you won Cotton Bowl that's all. For that matter I'd be surprised if I got out of the first round.

    Now if you want to discuss records, you can easily look mine up and compare over the last three years and let me know. You also may want to check the December 23rd 12 month rolling.

    But yes it is all about the seeding, where you are ahead of me and therefore should have a better chance than I. You also have a 4.5 singles title which is better than me. Good luck in your quest for 4.5 top 20, I sincerely hope you make it since it means so much to you. I really didn't mean to disrespect you as I didn't realize you thought you were going to win the tournament.

    Merry Christmas.

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  114. Paul,

    I can't tell if you are being serious or not. Your comments are so ridiculous that I find it hard to believe you are actually being serious. If so, do you truly think you are on the same level as Kern - with comments like "after all I am seeded over you and lead you in the rankings by 21 SPOTS!" Was your comment that Kern went 3-1 in Waco last year a slap or a compliment - can't tell.

    We all know what Kern has done in 4.5. Exactly what have you ever done in the 4.5 world (even the 4.0 world for that matter) what would cause people to expect to see you seeded in EVERY tournament this year?

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  115. James Murray is a not from Houston, he is from San Antonio and he is not a top 4.0 (ranking aside). Being ranked top 5 has absolutely no bearing on how good a player is. Murray is a true 4.0 and he belongs there. However, just like you, he seems to travel and play in EVERY freaking tournament on the schedule building up ranking points by sheer over-participation.

    Don't confuse signing up as a 4.5, being rated as a 4.5 or even seeded in a tournament as a 4.5 as actually being a 4.5 level player. You have to prove it on the court.

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  116. I had to laugh at Mitchell Fix's post. Did you really predict Conway/Yuri in 4.5 doubles?? Yuri had knee surgery this year and Conway hasn't been the same since he had cancer. Unfortunately my prediction is Kern and uber-tanker Kiron. Here's to another 5 years of hearing Kiron complain about his supposed back "injury" while dusting 4.5 and tanking 5.0 to keep playing down...

    Merry Xmas everyone!

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  117. Paul,

    few corrections of what you said...

    James Murray is 4.5 B right now. He was bumped up as most other top-40 4.0s (except #21 Zaem Butt, #22 Scott Russell, and #23 Olge yaramenko).

    And BTW, James Murray kicked your ass in two straight sets this summer. Did you see that in your records?

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  118. Foad Ansari was seeded #1 in like four or five tournaments in 08 because his masters results were included for the following year. He got beat first round in 3 of the first 4 tournaments he played. Paulie, you don't want to be that guy!

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  119. Hey Paulie, unless I have you mistaken for another Paul Trevino, don't you have to be at least 5'6" to be a marine? The chances you win the cotton bowl at 4.5 are zero to none.

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  120. come on, dude! no need to insult people like that... with height and stuff. Paul is trying his best and, maybe, it won't be possible for him to win the 4.5 draw, but he is certainly trying hard to be the best tennis player he can!

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  121. Funny comments guys. I like that. Jason your cool and right on the 12 month rolling. I just wanted to say my peace in my own way and didn't mean to offend you. Your a top player and i know it. This blog is like a wrestlers show with a lot of bark. I like the jabs.
    The Anon...of course another anon that posted that Jason kicked my ass got it wrong. I lost the 1st set 6-1 but when I was ahead the 2nd set I got bad calls from him on very important points. I got pissed he got n my head and a ref was called. By that time I was out of it. He reminds me of Jason Warren. Remember him? His fricken twin. Jason doesnt play anymore. He got bumped a couple of years ago. Same as John Cox. They don't play anymore in 4.5 I guess they are waiting to be 4.0 again. Besides Anon, I knew he was from San Antonio. That's where I am originally from. So you are either Jamie or his lover to know so much of him?
    The rest of the comments didn't really entertain me except for the Marine comment about having to have to be 5'6 to be a Marine. That's funny, why don't you tell me who you are ANON, of course another anon. Tell me who you are and I will invite you to my home and show you my Honorable discharge then shove your ass out the door head first!
    I also never said I was at the same level as Kern. I know he has done a lot more than me in 4.5 I just picked up a racket for the 1st time in 2005 for those that dont know. I've only just begun. I haven't been around enough in 4.5 yet. I repeat yet.

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  122. Paulie, I think you have had too much eggnog, but I admire your courage. Calling Kern a cheater is not going to sit well with him and his large fan base. When you guys see each other at the tourney, give each other a big hug and bury the hatchet.

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  123. Anon 1:14
    He meant Jamie instead of Jason. Must have been the eggnog!

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  124. Hey John Kraemer,
    Any chance we can get the DTA to publish their procedure for putting teams into flights?

    If teams are seeded, can we announce the seedings? Can we distribute nonseeded teams randomly as is customary in tennis?

    That would be a great Christmas present for all league players.

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  125. Sounds like Paulie has Napoleon complex. If you get anon over to your house, how will you fit him through your door?

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  126. Kraemer, why are you playing with Mittens, where's Strohl?

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  127. Yes! The goal is to publish this kind of information on the DTA web site.

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  128. THANK YOU & MERRY CHRISTMAS

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  129. Merry Christmas you old crazy tennis blog! Merry Christmas Mary! Merry Christmas everyone!!

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  130. Hey John, How ya doing? Nice to hear from you. Thanks for the comment.
    Merry Christmas to everyone, including Anons and their family. Be safe and God Bless and please don't forget our brave service men overseas around the world that keep this great nation what it is today. They allow us to play like business as usual.

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  131. I don't think Paul was talking about Jason Kern cheating him. And yes, Jason did make the singles final at Waco; he just let his buddy play the finals for him. I have no problem with that. Welcome to the blog Paul but you will realize what we all do that arguing is pointless.

    Merry Christmas to all!!

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  132. Hey Paulie, you should've stayed at 4.0. That way, if you won the tourny you could get on the podium and look at everyone eye to eye.

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  133. To all those who whine & cry about players out of level, score management, tanking, sandbagging, etc. . . .

    GROW UP
    &
    MERRY KISSMYASS!

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  134. Paul T is a tournament directors dream. If you host it, he will come.

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  135. Did Paul T play in Nancy’s tournament?

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  136. #1 seed at 4.0 got knocked out first round.

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  137. Not sure who was surprised that Russell got beat. Bazan got beat by a 3.5 bumpup. It was not too long ago that Bazan guaranteed that no computer rated 3.5 could beat him. Does thsi count?

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  138. Cory is really sinking up the place! Cory must be on the rag this weekend.

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  139. Bazan needs to move down to the 3.0 level.

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  140. meowouch! I wasn't happy with the way I played but Larry's style was rather frustrating and I didn't adapt well, he did play well though and is in MUCH better shape than me and it showed in the 3rd set. He also just about beat the #6 seed, oh well, I am just gonna keep playing.

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  141. Cary, don't take it too hard. Making a statement like that is bad karma... believe me, I know. The tennis powers that be have a way of humbling us when we make such statements.

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  142. JD Miles lost 1st round?? Man that bottom half of 4.5doubles is super stacked with strong 4.5 teams. Also, saw that Matlock got beat handily. So much for predictions.

    Open draw is full of ex and current college players. Some good tennis happening Sunday at Brookhaven.

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  143. Extra Extra Extra ……..

    Hot off the press ……….. New Flash ………

    Paul T goes down in a one two punch! Booyah!

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  144. looks like most bumpups did poorly so far... both at 4.0 and 4.5.

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  145. 4.5 Match up Wescoup/Huffman vs Kiron/Kern should be the final.

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  146. The four best 4.0 teams meet in the quarter finals today - not the semis where they should - Nice seeding.

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  147. Seedings are based on ranking points, which means doubles teams which play more events very well may have more points than teams that are clearly better. Tournament directors don't have much leeway when it comes to seeding. Keep that mind before criticizing.

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  148. Incorrect - tournament directors are not forced to use ranking points to seed but it is much easier to do so. The bigger tournaments always have seeding committees with several individuals on it from each level to ensure that top players do not go unseeded. I think the directors have done this in the past. It is fair and I appreciate the directors at least making an effort to get the top players (not top raking) seeded.

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  149. Ranking and ranking points are meaningless when it comes to determining who the top players are.

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  150. Lost in 3 to Jay and it wasn't even that close. Good luck to Jay. But I did make it further than paulie t. Some good tennis in the open.

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  151. Top notch players who rarely play tournaments or league tennis can't complain if TD's don't seed them. It is unfair to other players who put their skills on the line more often. You can't live off your reputation. Although some do such as T. J. Tisdale who is regularly highly seeded at the Cotton Bowl but rarely plays other events.

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  152. Look at the ATP and WTA. Seedings are basely solely on ranking points. Take Sharapova when she was hurt much of last year and her ranking plunged. When she came back she was unseeded. The same was the case for the Williams sisters even though they were clearly better than other players despite a long lay off from competition.

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  153. As is his practice jason kerndawg displays class and good humor in the face of defeat.

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  154. To make a broad statement that ranking points are meaningless is ignorant previous poster. So you think tournament directors should just watch how players look in practice to make decisions. Think before you speak.

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  155. Because tourneys place emphasis on not only skill but endurance they are more valid than league play to determine best players.

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  156. "Because tourneys place emphasis on not only skill but endurance they are more valid than league play to determine best players."

    Interesting and possibly valid if the best players played tournaments like they play league. But since that is not true, it's a widely incorrect statement. League is far superior to tournaments and this is from someone who likes to play tournaments.

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  157. Most tournaments seed strictly based on rankings. Brookhaven did this I believe. The exception is the open draw because very few of those players play USTA tournaments, and many of them are college players or teaching pros who are very good.

    I agree with you about league play Jason. It has always been stronger than tournaments.

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  158. Coredawg you are comparing apples to oranges. It's not unusual to have to play three singles matches in some major zones in one day. That never happens in league play, except in the rare occurrence in the playoffs. The point is a player can be out-of-shape and excel at league play but struggle in tourneys because of lack of stamina. The wimpy league practice of a super tiebreak to determine the third set favors the out of shape better player.

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  159. USTA league play gives fat pigs a place to hangout and play with a chance to win because the idiotic 3rd set tie break. If you can't play a 3rd set due to a risk of a stroke, do something else. Or maybe the USTA can rake in more dough by having a 25% body fat and over league. You have to step on the scale prior to qualifying. They'll have to get two scales out for some.

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  160. It is more impressive to win a singles championship at a major zone with a 64 or 128 draw, in which you have to win 2 out of 3 sets each match than it is to win all your singles matches at Sectionals in league play.

    There is less pressure in league play since you are only one of five matches. At the major zone, you are out there by yourself and can have no let downs or you are out. Don't be brainwashed into thinking league play is more challenging than playing tourneys.

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  161. USTA league tennis is a great way to enjoy tennis. But it is comparable to the World Team Tennis league at the pro level, where you have has-beens and wannabes rather than the top players who are on the tournament circuit.

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  162. Kern-how does your contention that players play different in tourneys than league play invalidate the claim that tourneys are better at determining the better players than league play?

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  163. While a tournament may have over a 100 people only 5 or 6 of them have a real chance of winning the tournament. Some of the top ranked players only do well in tournaments. They don't win much in league play, especially past the city level.

    Alot of tourney players only win because they can play 7 matches in one weekend. These players usually have great records during the heat of the summer, but lose often during the rest of the year.

    Great league players will have only 1 or 2 losses in a year. They use their talent not their fitness to win. The top league players are much better than the top tourney players. Of course the top league players are usually playing out of level so they can go to nationals.These out of level players don't bother to travel so they can win a plastic trophy.

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  164. I can't wait until 2010 so I can start piling up ranking points in meaningless tourneys in which only local yokels play. Anybody playing the Georgetown tourney in two weeks. Care to guess who I am. I will give you a hint, my initials are not Jason Kern.

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  165. hey 4:12, you take up a lot of space to say very little. How bout some evidence that the top league players are much better than the top tourney players. I thought so.

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  166. ^
    Name a top ranked tournament player that excels at the sectional level in league play.

    A person that wins all their matches at sectionals would waltz through a tournament.

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  167. List the top tournament players at each level and you won't find any (or barely any) of the top players at that level in the state of Texas.

    Don't confuse conditioning with talent. Also, ranking points are only dished out to people who actually take the time and energy to travel and play tournaments across the state.

    There is 10 times more pressure in a league match then there is in a tournament match. In a tournament match you are simply letting yourself down with a loss as opposed to letting down a whole team in league play. Tournament are fun, league is serious. If you don't understand that then you've never been part of a good league team.

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  168. It seems that almost all players play league tennis now, whereas only a few play tournaments. By definition this means that league will have stronger players. All you have to do is look at league results for the top tournament players to see that league is tougher. Of course it is a great achievement to win a major zone. But going undefeated in league play through Sectionals would be 10 times harder to do.
    I agree that the removal of the third set from league play has greatly diminished the importance of fitness and conditioning, both of which are major factors in tournaments. If the third set was brought back (like I think it will be within two years), it would be different.
    Also, you have to factor in the idea that the best players are being recruited by teams to play at all levels, in many cases at no expense. Nobody is making this offer for tournaments.

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  169. Furthermore, if you are an above average line 1 singles player, you are going to get a difficult match almost every time out in league tennis. In tournaments, it is very easy to get very weak opponents the first two or three rounds.

    All of this is symptomatic of why tournaments are dying. The USTA has done a great job of building league tennis into probably their biggest program, but they have done it at the expense of the tournaments.

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  170. I still see no hard evidence that league play is tougher or that league players are better than tourney players. So I will offer two examples to support my position that tourney players hold their own against top league players.

    The two top ranked tournament players in Texas in 4.0 singles this year are Eddie Hill and Brandon Myers. Both guys more than held their own against all the mythical league players. Come on guys you can do better than this. Use your head for something other than a hat rack.

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  171. Right Corddawg USTA sactioned tournaments are dying. Just look at the number of entrants in the men's open at the Cotton Bowl.

    Also doggie if all players are playing league tennis, it not only insures that there will be a lot of good players but also a lot of mediocre players.

    There are plenty of league matches in which the mediocre play the good players, but with the evolution of score management it looks like a competitive match rather than the blowouts you suggest happen at tourneys.

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  172. Let's see. Eddie lost 3 times in the postseason in singles in 2009 (J Renwick, J Vacalis, A Attridge). Renwick played one tournament and won it. Lost only one match all year to Vacalis. Vacalis did not lose a singles match all year and played one tournament. Attridge did not lose a singles match all year including 4-0 at sectionals. He did not play any tournaments.

    So thats 3 guys that beat Eddie. None of them play tournaments.

    Myers only played doubles in league.

    You are trolling if you think tournament play is tougher than league play.

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  173. Eddie's singles record last year in 4.0 league was 9-3, the three losses being the guys you mentioned. The wins were against guys who don't play many tourneys. So it seems Eddie generally is the better player when playing league players who avoid tourneys.

    Brandon played six matches in the regular season, three of which were singles. So he was not a doubles specialist.

    Your points are very good. But you see this whole concept that league players are superior is like the perception that global warming is man made, it can't be proved. Let's agree to disagree.

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  174. Juan Dekruyff was the 2nd best 4.5 league player in Austin. He played Texas Sectionals tourney in San Antonio and won the finals 6-0, 6-0, looks like he had trouble against those tourney players.

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  175. Thanks for helping cement my point. Dekruyff is a regular tourney player with a 16-1 2009 tourney record and currently ranked #1 in 4.5 tourney play. Keep trying dudes.

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  176. hey know-it-all, crawl back in your cave

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  177. 16-1 tourney record and he lost 2 times in 4.5 league and regularly wins open level tourny matches.

    League > Tourney

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  178. OK here's your evidence.

    Eddie Hill lost at Sectionals to Lubbock player 0-4
    Brandon Meyers didn't even play singles at Sectionals
    (Lifetime who had the top 2 tournament singles players didn't even make it out of pool at Sectionals. If tournament players were better than league players than that would have been 2 singles wins every time.)

    Jamie Murray wasn't even top 8 on his SA team as he didn't play in the biggest match against Dallas at Sectionals (3-3 in local, 0-1 in cities, 2-0 in less important matches at Sectionals)

    Pedro Ruiz doesn't play league in Houston (trust me if he was good enough Freeman would convince him to play)

    Tuyen Nguyen Went 0-2 at Sectionals in doubles, not good enough to play singles

    Ruben Vargas Didn't play in any of the important matches at Sectionals because he was not top 8 (did win both his singles that he played at Sectionals)

    Aaron Greene Went 4-2 in doubles at Sectionals (not good enough to play singles - lost 2-4 in the finals)

    I could go on but if your contention is that tournament players are better than league players they would be winning the singles lines at Sectionals not playing doubles and/or losing in straight sets in pool play. It's obvious that when you go through these top tournament players that they are not even playing singles in the important matches at Sectionals for a reason.

    If you say they can hold their own, then you are making my argument for me. Some of top tournament players can hold their own at Sectionals but the top league players are obviously better. A lot of these top tournament players are not even top 8 on their own team!

    To the anon who asked me... I do think that the tournament format is a better indicator of a tennis player than one match a week with a third set tiebreaker. However, the question is whether tournament or league players are better. The better players play league, that is what I'm saying. As far as pressure, you have never played a meaningful match at Sectionals or Cities for that matter if you think there is more pressure in tournaments. I enjoy playing tournaments but there is NO comparison.

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  179. Kern, so the pressure is greater playing in Sectionals than a tourney.

    I believe you are over 30 right.

    Let me raise a hypothetical question. Would you rather win the national hardcourt tourney in the 30 and above age group or win the National league team event in the 4.5's.

    Your answer is really not important; the pressure is going to be at the event that is more important to you. Some people prefer leagues and vice versa.

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  180. Definitely above 30 and yes I agree that it depends on which is more important to you but to me there is another factor as well. I feel more pressure when other people are affected. I really wanted to win Masters in '07 but it was nowhere near the pressure I felt playing in the big league matches. To me having other people counting on you adds much more pressure but as you said I enjoy the team aspect much more.

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  181. Jason, I think we posted at the same time so mine got deleted. I really don't want to type this out again but I will.

    I have always found that league play is more pressure because you are letting more people down if you lose.

    For the person who said tournaments were not dying based on the Cotton Bowl (I was prepared for that argument), there were almost 100 fewer entrants this year than last, and this is a trend that has continued over the last several years in most tournaments.

    For further evidence of league>tournaments, look at JD Miles' record. 6-6 in league play last three seasons, multiple major zone championships/finals and currently #12 in the state. No contest.

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  182. Phillip Griggs is another guy who has won countless Brookhaven tournaments and even Sectionals in San Antonio a couple of years ago. 12-6 (only 3-4 against playoff teams) in league play but #8 in the state in tournament play.

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  183. League > Tournament just look at the 4.5 draw at Cotton Bowl. I'm defining "tournament players" as those who travel around chasing points and therefore got seeded.

    8 seeds
    5 lost their first round
    only 2 made the quarters
    0 made the semis

    Doesn't give a lot of credibility to "tournament players".

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  184. If you look at the Open draw of Cotton Bowl which are a bunch of ex and current college players they most likely would not win at the Open level in league.

    Looking at the 4.5 level I see some strong players in the field in singles and doubles. I'm not so sure anyone in the singles draw would be in the Top 4 of league players in the state. In doubles though teams like Huffman/Wescoup and Kiron/Kern are DEFINITELY amongst the Top doubles teams in league. With that being said people who play league have a lot more pressure IMO, mainly because you are playing for a team and not for yourself.

    Having played tournaments in the past and league I must say I enjoyed proving myself in tournaments, but in league I never wanted to let my team down.

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  185. The person who won the National 30's hardcourt tourney this year was Carlos Gomez-Diaz, he is an ex-pro who beat Safin when he was touring. He would never play the Cotton Bowl or any other tournament of that level so I think it's hard to compare a national level tourney player to a 4.0 or 4.5 chasing points.

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  186. Oleg also beat Safin so that's not saying much :)

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  187. Amusing discussion about tourney vs league players, but it misses a few points.

    First, the comparison is unfair for several reasons. The first is sheer numbers. I will use the 3.5s as an example. The USTA site (see http://tennislink.usta.com/leagues/reports/NTRP/FindRating.asp) indicates that there are 121,270 3.5 league players nationally. Assume equal distribution of players per section (12 sections), and this will undoubtedly underestimate the Texas division. This would suggest at least 10,000 3.5 league players in Texas alone. I have been playing leagues and tourneys for several years. I estimate that maybe 50 players regularly play in numerous tournaments. However, let’s round this off to 100. (The people who are ranked less than 100 in tournament play don’t play a lot of tournaments.) That means for every regular tournament player, there are 100 other players. This further implies that there might be as many as 100 people (at least statistically) equivalent to each ranking position. You should not be surprised if highly ranked tournamnet players do not do as well in city and sectional team playoffs. Further, if I believe rumors, remember that the better teams do not want their ringers exposed. One way to get exposed is to have a ringer crush all competition at a major zone tournament.

    Second, tournament play and league play are different. Tournament players will comment that such and such a person is a one-round player, but not physically able to handle several rounds. Another saying is that anything can happen after the first round (weird draws, injuries, strange matchups). This is sometimes exposed in league play in sectionals and city playoffs. Sometimes the best players will have a nagging injury, and will be protected until the latter rounds. It is usually not exposed in weekly league play.

    Third, the discussion of talent vs conditioning is another misleading issue. Does Federer have more talent than Nadal? Is Nadal just a physical beast who is built to last longer? Federer works on his talent. Nadal (and Federer) work on their conditioning. Now, Monfils is a physical beast. His defensive skills are outstanding. I suggest that these attributes are talent. However, I think what is suggested by talent is the ability to really crush the ball, or to make shots. Whatever talent is, it must be combined with physical conditioning. If someone wears someone down, it is unfair to say that that person is less talented. They stayed in the match long enough to get in that position. I have heard that Agassi’s strategy was not necessarily to win the first set, but to prolong points to wear down an opponent. His strategy was suggested to be to win the final sets. I suggest that talent may also includemental skills, such as making corections mid match, or more rapidly analyzing an opponent’s tendencies. Talent covers a lot of area, and includes conditioning.

    Fourth, concerning the reason bump-ups did poorly in the cotton bowl, I will use myself as an example. They did not do badly. Okay, maybe bump-ups did not advance to the semis. However, it looks like that has happened in the 4.5s. Brent Obannon was on nobody’s radar. However, it should be noted that the average player at any level will win only one round in half the tournaments, and lose in the first round in the other half. I was bumped up to 4.0 mid-season, and I am winning about 50% of my matches. I appear to be an average 4.0 in my first year at 4.0. I consider this great. In the cotton bowl, which I played, my reward for surviving a gruelling 3-hour first round match was a second round match with a rested seeded player, and then I was competitive for the first set. Of course I did poorly. This experience is typical of bump-ups. You really cannot use the cotton bowl results to say that tournament players are worse than league players.

    Fifth, people who play in tournaments are not just gathering points for tournaments. I like to get out of work and out of town for a few days. They should not be disparaged.

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  188. Coredawg & Kern: Unlike some other posters, you two made some convincing points about league versus tourney play. I was playing devil's advocate, but I did have some doubt about the validity that the quality of play was generally better in leagues. I now agree that generally it can be stated with some certainty that the level of play in USTA leagues is superior to that of most tournaments.

    Kern, you are correct on the premise that league play is more pressure packed. I have played at Nationals for a USTA team, and my hands never stopped shaking during the three days of play.

    Coredawg, you are commended on upgrading the IQ level of this blog. I'm sure that could change at any moment.

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  189. looks like I was premature in my withdrawal of the sleeper designation for Sweet Baby James Taylor.

    he is in the semis in the 4.0 singles, and the finals of the 4.0 doubles. It seems his expanding waistline is not a liability in this cool weather and indoor environment. Way to go SBJ, you da man.

    martian

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  190. Paul T - Please give us a download on how the Cotton Bowl tournament went for you. Going into 2010, it would be great to receive a download from you on how all of your tournaments go. Please give us your thoughts on the complete tournament experience (weather, facility, draw, opponents, officials, goodie bag, t-shirt, city, great spots to eat, anything that you learn while participating in the tournament, etc). Please be the eyes and ears for the dudes that have to work on Fridays, take care of the kids and service the wife on the weekends. Be the roaming and active player in the trenches that’s reporting back to all through the blog. It would be great!

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  191. Just spoke with Fankhauser and he is in the championship match this afternoon at noon. You doubters better recognize.

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  192. I would be a little more impressed with Fankhauser if he was playing at his correct level. A guy that cruised through Fall league 4.0 and only lost 1 match in 3rd set tiebreaker gets bumped up to 4.5 and turns around and plays 4.0 in a tournament. Not impressed.

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  193. Why would Matt Fankauser enter the Cotton Bowl as a 4.0 when he’s clearly a 4.5? I don’t know Matt, but what kind of sick fuck is he? He must really be a desperate individual with a huge ego that he needs to support.

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  194. Regarding 8:21's suggestion that Paul T. provide regular feedback to the blog on his tourney experiences, I detected some sarcasm. But I think your idea has merit. I would think that the Tennis Channel would have some interest in doing a reality show on such a topic.

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  195. Congratulations Fankhauser on getting to the finals. Disregard the criticism of all the negative ninnies on this blog. They find something to whine about every person who has success. Don't get baited into a response. The whiners and underachievers exemplify what is wrong with our society.

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  196. Brent O'Bannon is not really representative of how the 4.0 bumpups will do next year because he was a deserved bumpup that would have moved up regardless of if the USTA changed its parameters or not. Those players have historically done well because they were not playing the appropriate level to begin with. The players that will get crushed (and did) are those that would not normally have been bumped.

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