Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Combo Next Weekend

In a blatant attempt to push the whinning and crying down to the next level, we will talk about ....

COMBO


Looks like we have 5 teams that made the cut at 4.0/4.5 Combo. Odds are written as beer to beers odds. You will catch on below.

Somabut:
6 players. Every player plays every time. This is my most fond style for these types of tournaments. People getting hurt is greatly over exaggerated. In order for Somabut to take the prize, however, there will have to be a strict beer drinking ratio of 3 beers for the opponents for every 1 beer by Somabut team. (3 to 1)

Pickett:
This team seems to be ramping up for another "shot" at Sectionals Combo I see. These have to be the front runners at this point. I am going to guess opponents will need 6 beers and 1 shot by every Pickett player for every 1 beer by opponents. Advantage Pickett (1 to 6+1)

Rossow: So far, I have seen more talk about beer than practice. I would put this out as a 3 beer to 1 odds ratio, but, unfortunately I see the Rossow crew self inducing their own odds making prior to match play. Odds calculator adjusted accordingly: 9 beers for opponents for every 3 beers by the Rossouw team. (9 to 3)

Johnson: On the one hand, I only recognize 2 names, on the other hand, I only recognize 2 names. One as being a good guy, and the other, well, blog rumor can be greatly exaggerated . The beer meter seems dsyfuntional against this crew, so I will SWAG a 5 to 1 beer ratio (5 to 1)

Sisk: I have to say that I like the 4.5s. This crew will give team Pickett the biggest run for its money. I will have to rate this team a 6 to 1 beer ratio. (1 to 6)

Only time will tell if the beer meter is correct. Good Luck Gentlemen... Start your practicing!

195 comments:

  1. Is this up on tennislink yet? If so where can I see it?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congrats to the Branch team for winning sectionals and headed to Nationals. I am playing combo in Waco and hope none of those Dallas sectional guys are on any teams. They might be the youngest team assembled in mens 4.5's. I saw Sunday's final and the line 1 singles player w/ the rocket serve looked barely out of college. Maybe they will be tired from the playoffs and give the "old" guys a chance.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Not sure what match you saw but the young kid in the 4.5 final was from Wild San Antonio, don't think I'd worry about him in combo as he got torched. Would probably worry more about the "old" guy..lol

    ReplyDelete
  4. Where are the rosters listed for this?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Looks like Team Pickett and Team Rossouw are the early favorites in combo.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Pickett is the favorite because he took half of the league on his team. A number of these guys will get screwed and only play 1 match if any at all.

    ReplyDelete
  7. 7:49 - More like the Branch team is one of the oldest assembled in 4.5. Think there were maybe 2 guys under 30.

    ReplyDelete
  8. 8.5 Combo Link:
    http://tennislink.usta.com/leagues/reports/TennisLinkReports.asp?Level=F&FlightID=113584&CYear=2010


    7.5 Combo Link:

    http://tennislink.usta.com/leagues/reports/TennisLinkReports.asp?Level=F&FlightID=113583&CYear=2010

    ReplyDelete
  9. Freakin' Kelly on the Branch team was so lucky in cities and sectionals. Seemed all of his opponents were either tired or had an off-day in every one of his matches. Let's see how he fares in Nationals, luck may run out!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I like it when People say someone was lucky especially on a consistant basis. Makes you wonder if it was actually luck.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Mike Kelly is actually a warlock that can cast spells to suck the energy out of his opponents. So luck is not needed...just pray he forgets his spell book at Nationals. Do they let you check those, or will airport security confiscate it?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Give it a rest already!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Please see the thread below for Sectional comments. That thread is still open for those who care to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  14. ditto..if it makes some of you feel better that Kelly got lucky, can't play doubles, he is old, gets tired, gives up points, opponent had an off day, won't win at nationals, etc..then great. Why the criticizing? Can we stick to some combo stuff? Makes no sense the bashing and negativity. WHY? Give it a break.

    ReplyDelete
  15. You forgot the Warlock thing....

    ReplyDelete
  16. Who is the favorite in the 7.5 combo?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Bartlett's team will walk through the 7.5

    ReplyDelete
  18. pics from sectionals:

    http://www.texas.usta.com/2010-usta-texas-adult-league-championships-week-1/#

    ReplyDelete
  19. Apparently the mid-year NTRP rating changes are not applicable to the combo tourney. I guess I was mistakenly under the impression that they did apply.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I think they may have changed that rule this year.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Bartlett does not have a chance in 7.5 combo. He will get his whiney ass kicked once again.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Does anyone know the dates for the 8.5 and 7.5 combo and if it is too late to register a team?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Dude - you can't sleep in a cave, read the blog, and then expect to stay current on things.

    Yes - it is too late to register for a team. The deadline was last Sunday. The schedule is already out with matches being played next Friday thru Sunday.

    Go crawl back under that rock and wait until next year.

    ReplyDelete
  24. You can still sign up for combo. We had to have a roster of 6 by Aug.1, but can add players now. WHO ARE YOU???

    ReplyDelete
  25. My name is Davydenko, and I will be in town for a few days. Any way you can get me playing 4.5, I've hear if anyone can pull it off, you can Sisk?

    ReplyDelete
  26. Davydenko is not going to beat Sleazy anyways, so don't bother.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Slezak does not want to be called Sleazy anymore; he now prefers to be called Lefty.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Not when we get my buddy Safin signed up at 4.0. We both are ex-Davis cup players...

    ReplyDelete
  29. I thought he wanted to be called "righty?"

    ReplyDelete
  30. USTA rules are very specific permitting only legalized citizens to participate in league matches. Soon, everyone will need to carry their passports and/or birth certificates to present to the opposing captains.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Davy Denko is actually masquerading as Mike Kelly. Next time you see Kelly, look closely. Same short/thinning hair, can't play doubles, and goes for his towel between every point.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I think that US citizen rule is only enforced in Arizona.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Big Bird wins 7.5, Pickett wins 8.5

    Big Bird has the best 3.5s by far, and yes Barlett has the best 4.0s, but Big Birds are not that far behind and overall has the better team.

    Pickett team should win, they have a lot of options and a lot of good players at both levels.

    ReplyDelete
  34. In the 8.5 it should be a real close race. I think Sisk will win it and I am taking Roussouw over Pickett for second place, but wouldnt surpise me if second place is reversed.

    In the 7.5, who cares! Ok, ok, Bartlett roll's to a victory, with Sisk finishing second.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Captain Fantastic,

    Why no write-up about the 3.5 sectionals this weekend with 2 Dallas teams in it? I know, nowadays 3.5 isn't REAL tennis, but when you think about it, this is sectionals, so all the guys that are playing there are low-life, scum-bag sandbaggers who have either tanked or lied on their self-rates and aren't really 3.5 players. So this is the post-season for true 4.0 players ?!?

    ReplyDelete
  36. Funny, Davydenko and Kelly are twins and very similar..except that Davydenko not playing out of level!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I won't start a new thread since there is still a week before Combo for anons to trash each other, but here is what I see.

    Flight 1 -

    NETX - Appears to be the most solid team in this flight. They went 10-0 in their season and won almost 90% of their lines played. They have 7 players bumped to 4.0 mid-season and 4self-rates. My guess is they take the flight.

    Fort Worth - Flight 1 spoiler. Went 12-1 and also had 7 players bumped to 4.0 midseason.

    Bent Tree (Dallas Wild) - While they surprised us all in the DCC, I think they lack depth against NETX and cannot cross that hurdle. They still represent Dallas well taking 2nd or 3rd to Fort Worth.

    Waco - You can never say never, but I really don't see anything here. There season is playing against one other team. That's right, only 2 teams in their flight, Waco and Temple. Unless it is a bunch of Baylor college ringers, there is nothing to tell me they don't finish last.

    NETX advances.

    Flight 2 -

    Valley - hard to tell if there is anything here. They went 8-0 and won 80% of their lines, but there is only 2 other teams in their flight. Do not see them being a threat.

    Dallas (Bender) - flights favorite but will be tested in their first match with Wild Austin. If they get past the Heat Stroke today, they should take this flight.

    Wild Austin - 11-2 record in a city that has shown they know how to build Sectional teams. While their season wins have not been as convincing as the wins by Dallas, they still could be this flight's spoiler.

    San Angelo - Actually, this is San Angelo's 2nd place team, only losing by line counts because of a player DQ. They come with a 9-2 record but much tighter matches than Dallas or Wild Austin. I do not see them getting past the big boys.

    Dallas advances.

    Flight 3 -

    Popcorn is popping as this flight is determined today at 1PM. Austin and Houston face each other in the first match. Winner advances.

    Austin - 13-0 record winning over 80%of their lines. 11 mid-season bumps and 10 self rates hiding in the wings. They are ready to spoil Houston's plans to go to Nats. They have strength on paper, the question will be do they have it on the courts.

    Houston - A city known for breeding championship teams, they come to the courts also 13-0. Austin had a little bit stronger wins more lines won, but Houston could have used it to hide some of their 10 self-rates.

    SETX - 2 other teams in their flight with no convincing wins. Can't compete with Houston or Austin.

    Lubbock - flight's potential spoiler. 9-0 record and won over 80% of their lines. 5 mid-season bumps and 3 self rates. Still not enough to knock off Houston or Austin.

    Advancing team: I go out on a limb and say Austin upsets Houston.

    Flight 4 - (Weakest flight)

    San Antonio - SA's 2nd place team coming with a 9-2 record and some tight match wins. On paper, just not as dominate as the other major city's teams.

    Abilene - Their season consisted of one other team in their flight that they played 3 times. How boring. Not enough experience to get by the big cities.

    Corpus Christi - Actually comes from a nice flight of teams for a city their size with a record of 8-0. Should be a good fight for Wild FW.

    Wild Fort Worth - Coming from Cow Town with an 11-2 record and winning 70% of their lines. An evenly matched team with Corpus on paper.

    Wild FW advances squeaking by CC 3-2.

    SEMIS: Dallas vs. NETX and Austin vs. Wild FW

    Finals : Dallas vs. Ausin

    Nats: C'mon, this is the Dallas blog !! Go Dallas !!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Kelly also bets on matches!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Maybe Houstonm over Austin.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Capt F,

    Nice write-up. The Dallas teams got a huge break by having Austin and Houston in the same flight. If they had been in different flights it would have been brutal potentially having to play both of them on Sun in this heat to win it all.

    GO DALLAS !!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Houston players would feel right at home at LB Houston. Not sure how 3.5 won out getting nicer courts to play on vs 4.0.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Dallas steamrolls Wild Austin sweeping dubs with no sets dropped.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Bent Tree loses to Fort Worth 2-3 getting swept in dubs.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Mike Kelly signs up for Rossouw!

    ReplyDelete
  45. those dam high point pushers won another match

    ReplyDelete
  46. Yep - pushing our way to Nats!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Shows how strong Bent Tree singles guys are both winning there matches at sectionals 1 & 1..

    ReplyDelete
  48. They are not that strong, they just played weaker players as the other team loaded up on doubles! 3.5er, if you thought they were strong you might want to go back to 3.0!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Dallas advances to semis.

    ReplyDelete
  50. i cant believe a bunch of hp pushers & hackers are in the 3.5 semis at sectionals just shows how diluted 3.5 really is

    ReplyDelete
  51. August 7, 2010 12:54 PM

    I have seen bent tree singles guys play and they are good. I have watched enough city & sectional play at levels 3.5. 4.0 & 4.5 to know they are good players at 3.5. They could even compete in the regular season 4.0 league.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Dallas 3.5 is going to Nats!!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Congrats to Bender and company. It looks like he knows how to do this gig at 3.5 too.

    ReplyDelete
  54. ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Hey Guys, how bout them pushers ha ?
    Still any doubters there now.
    Bring it home baby, Go Dallas, Go Texas !!!! woooohooooooooooooooooo !!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Nobody doubted you could "push" yourself to wins in 3.5 tennis. Congrats on Sectionals and good luck in Tuscon I guess though.

    ReplyDelete
  57. I love this board, Bob makes it at 3.5 and there a bunch of pushers, Branch makes it at 5.0 and they are a bunch of tanking, out of level players.
    C'mon, really? Did your mama not kiss you goodnight when you were small?
    Have some class and be happy for the people that put the time in to make it to Nationals.
    It's not easy and it takes commitment.
    Congrats to both!!!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Congrats to Benders Boys! Now all you've got to do is win Nats.

    Benders Boys had to beat a very good Houston team in the finals. I know 3.5 is supposed to be watered down but there was still some damn good tennis out there this weekend. And the Houston team and fans showed a lot of class. After the Dallas team clinched the 3rd line, the players and fans congratulated everyone and wished them good luck at Nats.

    Have a good time at Nationals guys, and bring home the Big Plate to Dallas.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Nationals draws are up. Both Dallas teams have to go through NorCal to make the final 4.

    ReplyDelete
  60. you got that wrong. NorCal has to go through us. Go Dallas.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Congrats Team Bender!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Mike Kelly drowns kittens in his bathtub for fun.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Awww. Come on!!! Its only because they deserved it.

    ReplyDelete
  64. All Mike Kelly jokes aside though, it might tilt the scales away from Pickett and towards the Rossouw team. I think I am changing my vote to Rossouw.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Mike Kelly pulls the wings off butterflies as a hobby.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Rossouw - how were you able to get Kelly on your combo?? losers/whiners are bashing him but they all want him on their teams.

    ReplyDelete
  67. He took him in the back closed and took care of him.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Mike Kelly pushes unsuspecting senior citizens into oncoming traffic at bus stops on his lunch break.

    ReplyDelete
  69. First off: Congrats to the Branch team! Congrats to Shelly Odell's ladies 4.0 team and also to Bender! I think there was another Dallas team that made it also. It is good to have so many teams representing Dallas. Great stuff! Let's keep it going and support these guys!

    I am getting really tired of the Mike Kelly bashing (yes I know I called him and Slezak out re the Collin County tank job and I stand by that) however, I have it on very good authority that Mike Kelly is a good guy and some of his on court reputation has been due to provocation by known cheats (or guys so old they can't see the ball because MK hits it too hard for them). Until I see otherwise with my own eyes he's a computer rated 4.5 and eligible to play and I'm happy to have him on my Combo team. The problem is with the usta and the ratings system and that it can be manipulated too easily. As I have stated here before that needs to be fixed - the question is how. Until then, we work within the system we have and let's be supportive of those that are successful.

    Let's get behind Mike and team Branch and I hope they win Nationals! A good group of guys, many of whom I have been fortunate to have gotten to know a little recently.

    ReplyDelete
  70. My vote for hypocrite of the year goes to..... Rossouw! He now surplants Sisk, and Bender. Its funny how your perspective changes when you add M. Kelly to "your" team huh Marc?

    ReplyDelete
  71. I don't think Bender and Sisk are hypocrites. They do not apologize for trying to win and they do anything they can to win.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Calling the act of consistently tanking 5.0 over multiple seasons so you can get down to 4.5 and go to 4.5 / 8.0 nationals "working within the system" is absurd.

    In years past, Kelly's on court behavior can only be characterized as completely disrespectful and had nothing to do with playing "known cheats". This year he seems to have improved somewhat, but then again he's playing way below level - perhaps some actual competition will cause him to revert.

    ReplyDelete
  73. I am very happy for and impressed with Bender this year. Bender and his whole crew got moved up to 3.5.

    Bender recruited well and took a bunch of 3.5 computer rated guys and made it happen.

    When your whole team gets bumped up, and you go out and recruit a whole new bunch of guys, and then go to Nationals Back to Back, that is very impressive.

    Say what you want from before, but Bender did a great job this year and needs to be commended for it.

    Back to Back Nationals for Bender.

    ReplyDelete
  74. It should not matter to the captain how he got the 4.5 computer rating. The captain did not give him the computer rating. He is not a self rate.

    ReplyDelete
  75. This may be Bender's most impressive job as a captain because he's going to Nats with no ringers. Not sure even he would have expected to make it there this year.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Anonymous said...August 10, 2010 9:33 AM


    No ringers! So what about the self rates ?
    So you think that those that went from 4.0 last year to 3.5 for 1 season now back to 4.0 for the fall is just what ? Lucky ?

    ReplyDelete
  77. The three players below are all self rated and are good for 3.5 level.

    Mayis Kirakosyan
    Matthew Schlosser
    Chau Truong

    At least they were 3.5 during regular season.

    There were a couple more but I cannot remember who they are now.

    ReplyDelete
  78. I just talked to Mike Kelly and he is injured and will not be able to play in the combo tourny maybe not even nationals. Freak injury while playing tennis with a relative on his vacation.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Mike Kelly was going to be evened out with the fact that B. Morrison was on the team anyway, so not really a factor!

    Sisk team rules!

    ReplyDelete
  80. That would be the shortest trip on a team ever. Joins on Thursday, out by Tuesday.

    ReplyDelete
  81. What's up with Bartlett's 7.5 team? He has 8 4.0s signed up now, with some of the recent 4.0s signing being sub-par to those he already had on the roster. Does he really plan to use all those guys?? That's got to suck to play one match and then be done.

    ReplyDelete
  82. What's up with Bartlett's 7.5 team? He has 8 4.0s signed up now, with some of the recent 4.0s signing being sub-par to those he already had on the roster. Does he really plan to use all those guys?? That's got to suck to play one match and then be done.

    ReplyDelete
  83. kelly had a freak accident running around beach telling kids there is no santa claus. Pulled a hammy.

    ReplyDelete
  84. Mike Kelly robs girlscouts at gunpoint of their hard earned cookie money, and a box of Samoas.

    ReplyDelete
  85. Can we PLEASE STOP the Kelly comments. This is beginning to become like the Getz incident and looks as if it is the same anon posting over and over.

    If you keep it up, the blog administrators will pull the plug again on the anons and we will be back to boring.

    ReplyDelete
  86. Oh come on, have a sense of humor. I think its damn funny about the Mike Kelly comments. (and NO, I am not the one who is writing them)

    ReplyDelete
  87. hey Rossouw,
    So you admit to "calling Mike out & standing by it" - but hey, he was computer-rated then and computer-rated now. The only difference is he is on your team now and wasn't on your team then....I can see how someone would think hypocrite..
    I would put him on my team anyday cause he is money especially under pressure but I don't go around bashing him or "calling him out".

    ReplyDelete
  88. This really makes Rossouw look like a jerk. He is the first person to call people out for being out of level.

    ReplyDelete
  89. Marc R.
    VERY disappointed in your defense of Mike. Yes I am bashing Mike because he IS A JERK and you are defending him because he is on your team. YES he is a great player and yes he is a top line 4.5 player. Just do not allow your VERY GOOD reputation to be tarnished by defending him just because he is on your team and he is a great 4.5. FACT you know you put him on to win and you HOPE he behaves and does NOT live up to his CURRENT not past reputation (yes he has gotten better but how could he be much worse)

    ReplyDelete
  90. it won't matter afterall - kelly is injured and probably won't be playing combo.... he injured back of knee playing in sectionals and tweaked it badly on vacation. Probably out for combo, playoffs, nat'ls...

    ReplyDelete
  91. Russo must have paid kelly to play - pays for kelly's vacation. Otherwise why would kelly play for a guy that called him out. Russo's check bounced and now kelly has to come back early

    ReplyDelete
  92. Why isn't there combo for 5.0/4.5?

    ReplyDelete
  93. Any comments/predictions for the 7.5 combo?

    ReplyDelete
  94. Mike Kelly picks Bluebonnets..not because they are beautiful, but because it makes him snicker to break state law.

    ReplyDelete
  95. The Kaiser team looks pretty strong in 7.5.

    ReplyDelete
  96. rossouw is obnoxious

    ReplyDelete
  97. Kaiser can't be playing himself if that team looks strong.

    ReplyDelete
  98. kelly is the worlds most interesting tennis player. He can blink without moving his eye lids. He can get an opponent off his game just by saying the word "out". He attracts crowds like the pope at Vatican Square. he can make mother theresa blush.

    ReplyDelete
  99. Kelly is a flaming homosexual with a temper. Much like that Jet Blue flight attendant, or perhaps that was him?

    ReplyDelete
  100. Who would win between Mike Kelly and Gene Davis in the best three out of five sets singles match played at high noon in 100 degree temperature? Let's assume in this fantasy match that there is full set of line judges and an umpire with a stop watch to make sure the 90 second change over rule is observed.

    ReplyDelete
  101. tickets could be sold for that match - entertainment value

    ReplyDelete
  102. Hmmmmmmmmm....Mike Kelly vs. Gene Davis?

    A battle of epic proportions!
    The great tennis match of our time!
    A clash of tennis titans!
    The Superbowl of 4.5's!
    The World Series of racket sports!
    A battle of the Best of the Branch Brigade!

    I am not sure who wins. But it would probably look something like this:

    6–4, 3–6, 6–7(7-9), 7–6(7-3), 70–68

    ReplyDelete
  103. This is Mike Kelly's tennis coach from when he was a junior. I would like to place a bet on the match between Mike Kelly and Gene Davis. Quick question though will it be played as a day match or night? I have been doing some scouting on this Gene Davis character and know for a fact he can't see at night. Please make sure this match is at night go Mike Kelly!!!

    ReplyDelete
  104. Mike Kelly will be healed and ready to go when Nationals roll around. He doesn't need any practice. He could wake up on Groundhog's Day, after hibernating all winter, and still beat most of the singles players that show up in Tuscon.

    But just to make certain he has all bases covered, while he is recuperating, he is studying film of his match against Phillips and Gorecki to ensure that fluke doesn't happen again.

    ReplyDelete
  105. good thing Rossouw filmed it

    ReplyDelete
  106. Poll question for the day. Who is the most hated man on the blog?

    - M. Kelly
    - M. Roussow
    - B. Morrison

    Look at it over the past year, not just the last month.

    Well, who is your pick?

    ReplyDelete
  107. Aug. 11 9:23 or should I just say Kaiser...

    After a review of the 7.5 combo, my opinion is that the top 3 4.0's on Barlett's team Moore, Mattes and Smith are better than your top 3 4.0's of Taylor, Vassberg and Jones, therefore I am going with Bartlett to win it in a close call.

    ReplyDelete
  108. Sorry anon, that wasn't me. I don't toot my own horn. As I told someone else, that was probably someone setting me up so another anon would come in and bash me.

    Players on paper mean nothing. What matters is what happens on the court. Should be a fun weekend.

    Kaiser

    ReplyDelete
  109. Big Bird takes Brookhaven down easily. Mark it.

    ReplyDelete
  110. If it really wasnt you, then most likely someone else on your team fishing for some props!

    The 8.5 looks like its going to be a real dog fight! I like the hated Roussow in a close call over Pickett!

    ReplyDelete
  111. My vote for most hated;

    1. M. Kelly because he's a cheating tanker with a temper. That string bean is going to get his ass kicked one of these days. And how can he enjoy playing 4.5 anyhow, big puss.

    2. Russouw cause he's a Nancy wanna be and the bigges hypocrit on the blog. The latest with Kelly is proof enough.

    3. Morrison cause his ego took the 4.5 to 4.0 bumpdown like a little bitch and had the Gall to come on here and tell people he would beat all 4.0s 0 & 0.

    4. Bazan, a squirmy little work that's all talk and no go and gives 4.0s a bad name.

    5. Sisk, just because he's Sisk and you all know the rest.

    ReplyDelete
  112. This is Mike Kelly's agent to all that hate him he has a message for you: please buy my new video. It will be available on DVD and BluRay. The title of the DVD is Mike Kelly's Secret.

    ReplyDelete
  113. all good points. plus rossouw is also obnoxious

    ReplyDelete
  114. Wow! "Hated". That is disappointing to hear.

    I admit it is hypocritical of me to have added Mike after the Collin County fiasco. So why did I do it? I guess everyone deserves a second chance. I do not know him well but have a good friend and many of the Branch team that say he is a really good guy. He is obviously a great tennis player.

    I'm sorry you think I am such a bad guy as a result thereof. (You are certainly welcome to your opinion. It's a pity you don't have the balls to post your name.) The guys on my team seem to be quite happy with the entire roster.

    I will guarantee that if ANY of my team mates behave in a manner bringing disrepute to the game or our team they won't play for the remainder of the weekend or probably ever on one of my teams again. This will be left to my judgement - the odd racket throw or cuss word does not count.

    Unpleasant verbal altercations and excessive bad behaviour on court does.

    ReplyDelete
  115. Rossouw- You better keep a muzzel on Morrison then!!!

    ReplyDelete
  116. wow-Rossouw sounds like a mother telling her 12 yr old & 13 yr old boys they better behave on the court or they cannot play again...
    that team is gonna have alot of fun - not- w/mama watching.

    ReplyDelete
  117. Russo - so nice of you to give second chances. Just funny that the second chance comes not BEFORE you rip the guy but WHEN you need the guy for your team.

    ReplyDelete
  118. Hot off the press Mike Kelly's racquet was reviewed and found not legal. His repsonse "I am innocent I baught it from Gene Davis's son not knowing it was juiced."

    ReplyDelete
  119. Morrison makes Kelly look like a choir boy. I would bet that no one can carry Morrison during a combo match. Kelly will be playing 1 on 2 and if Morrison wants to win he will get out of the way. Bottom line, if Kelly wants to take the combo serious the Russo team will be tough, if he stays on his side of the court and looks "tired" then he is disinterested. My money is w/ the latter as the mens was his last hurrah as I am told he is a 3 handicap golfer and is competing in November in a "satellite" tourney for golfers. Have seen him twice last week at the driving range at 35 and LBJ. Takes every other shot off but can hit it straight. Just fyi....

    ReplyDelete
  120. I talked to MK and he was asked to play by his mens captain. He has personally never met Russo and was just subbing in to help out as he had not really wanted to play combo. The funny thing about all this is I have never heard Mike say a bad thing about Russo or any of the blog stuff that was written. Seems all the negativity directed at him has somewhat dampened his zest for tennis. He may or may not deserve it but "most hated" is a little harsh. Just sayin...

    ReplyDelete
  121. Won't matter...he is a singles player and "money" at crunch time but he now has to carry someone and play 2 people on the other side of the net. He is not a doubles player as evidenced it sectionals. He never comes to net and can not serve and volley. He should have lost that doubles match in sectionals w Kole and possibly the one in cities against Garland but his opponents were tired. Everything fell into place for him in cities and sectionals and LUCK was a major part of it. LUCK will run out in nationals! If you know how to play smart doubles against him you can easily pin him against the baseline forcing lobs and smashing overheads. Not that hard too figure out.

    ReplyDelete
  122. To Russo: Hope Kelly loses tonight. He will find out how much fun playing combo is in a 100 plus degree heat. Coming off a trip and 15 hour car ride and no tennis for 10 days one problem, playing with Jim Morrisson another. Garland in a breaker!

    ReplyDelete
  123. Mike Kelly is going to be evened out with the fact that B. Morrison is on the team anyway, so not really a factor. A really good 5.0 and a really good 3.5 still equals 8.5.


    Go Sisk

    ReplyDelete
  124. Morrison will not play with Kelly. I heard him say he wants someone who comes to the net. Kelly barely gets to the baseline..Kelly also switching rackets last week after 8 years with Wilson, now using Prince. Kelly will be off his game and whoever plays with him better be able to carry him.

    ReplyDelete
  125. Hate to say this and no offense to anyone but Kelly and his 3.5 mixed partner beat most 8.5 combo teams competing this weekend. That being said, she can't play mens' combo doubles so everyone has a chance.

    ReplyDelete
  126. Let me repeat myself: Kelly will not take this combo league seriously. NOT a good move by Russo..playing with fire. Russo the goose-o should not play him if he wants to win. Think about it. After what was said about him why should he play hard for MR?

    ReplyDelete
  127. Best reading I have ever seen! Some of these posts are darn funny....hope Kelly loses tonight so all the haters come out to say "I told you so".....gonna be quiet if not.

    ReplyDelete
  128. I'm not going to mention the person's name since I don't want to be accused of piling on.

    But if you are thin-skinned, you better think twice about brazenly tanking matches to get to a lower NTRP level and then openly discussing/admitting your lack of ethics with your peers.

    Even if there is just a whiff of suspicion of tanking, you can expect to get taken to the woodshed on this blog. If there is little or no doubt, then be prepared to get waylaid. You will be guilty until proven innocent.

    ReplyDelete
  129. People are strange, when your a stranger, Mike Kelly makes, winning that easy.

    That is some serious insider information, to know that he was driving, a 15 hour road trip, he still played all well.

    ReplyDelete
  130. Great tennis out there tonight win or lose!!! Great to talk to everyone! Have a great weekend! Thanks for the beer offer Marc! Kelly is a rock and Morrison held up! All the Kelly bashing is ridiculous. Have fun this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  131. Kelly is so freakin lucky again! Young played the worst match of his life and all Kelly did was stay back and hit decent returns. All Young had to do was hit a good serve and come in. Young seemed like he was defeated from the start...

    ReplyDelete
  132. B-mo is drinking the juice too. Of course he makes it look ez...a joke to be playing 4.5 and frankly he is better than most 5.0's I have seen. Some of those shots in that match were remarkable. Admit it Russy, you would still be bashing him if he played on another team. He will lose tomorrow as he looked exhausted.

    ReplyDelete
  133. They were in it in the first set, but knowing you're facing Kelly,the mental aspect is tough to overcome. Ask Federer vs Nadal?

    ReplyDelete
  134. Yeah, he plays just hard enough to win the first and is a different player in the second. Looked as if he was delaying the inevitable. A couple of those first serves were bombs. Funny he waited until the end to do so. Very well at playing at the right time. I do admit he does take off points though, didn't believe that at first.

    ReplyDelete
  135. How bad did Kelly act up tonight? Just like his 2 game warning in cities first singles match. lol

    ReplyDelete
  136. Get your facts straight, 2 game deficit was for tardiness in cities. Please post facts and not something that never happened. I know everyone wants to see him lose but thought he was a class act this evening and I am not even a Branch homer. Truth is he never uttered a bad word about anyone that I know of, even after being toasted and roasted day in and day out. People, please lay off. He will eventually lose (maybe) and you all can rejoice! Geeez!

    ReplyDelete
  137. Can we please rename the Dallas blog to the Mike Kelly blog for bitching. Just find something else to do. It's funny, over the last few weeks it's either he is so good playing out of level or he sucks and will get killed or he's just lucky or everyone he plays is gving a bad day. He make you have a bad day. We all now he is damn good. And I have seen the Mike vs Gene match. It's was a great one to watch and I think mike one the first 7-5 and gene won the second 6-4 and then they stopped. Now, can't we all just stop. Or is this going to carry on. Or everyone can bash him next week after 8.0 mixed.

    ReplyDelete
  138. News Flash to everyone Mike Kelly has learned that this blog has been dedicated to him in a negative way. This has upset him so much that he is no longer able to hit a screaming forehand or a first serve ace with ease without thinking of all this hostillity. I now think that today will be his last match and the BLOG has done what it has set out to do ruin poor Mike Kelly.

    ReplyDelete
  139. Who is winning the combo?

    ReplyDelete
  140. I actually did speak to him yesterday and have to admit the spark was not there last nite. Not sure if the heat, saving himself for next weekend mixed or just plain tired of all the bitching. Guess all you people have done a good job w the negativity. You must be proud.

    ReplyDelete
  141. The 8.0 mixed playoffs are next weekend. Kelly will fail miserably and lose the deciding match on Sunday. The blog will have done its job. I am pulling for anyone but Springpark!

    ReplyDelete
  142. Kelly has been behaved and very gracious throughout, at least from what I have seen. Why the anger and hostility toward seeing him lose in mixed? I guess it makes people feel better to tear others down. Oh well, guess freedom of speech to each his own.

    ReplyDelete
  143. Who does Somabut play at 2 tomorrow?

    ReplyDelete
  144. Garland Sisk should make a run tomorrow...

    ReplyDelete
  145. Can anyone on the Russow team actually stand up or are they all too drunk? Beer to water ratio about 100 to 1. Look at the bright side, Brookhaven employees never have to refill the water jugs. I actually even saw Kelly w a beer BEFORE the match today and have never seen him with one ever. Would he have done that at sectionals, no wonder he slow plays, is disinterested and looks "out of sorts". The USTA should put a stop on drinking at their events.

    ReplyDelete
  146. Kelly is an alcoholic and throws his empty beer bottles at passing cars while standing on the high 5.

    ReplyDelete
  147. enough about Kelly...anyone notice Slezak's hands..

    ReplyDelete
  148. notice his feet too?

    ReplyDelete
  149. Somabut rules and will win the whole thing..they win 3-0 both matches tomorrow. Who beats them?

    ReplyDelete
  150. Rossow: So far, I have seen more talk about beer than practice. I would put this out as a 3 beer to 1 odds ratio, but, unfortunately I see the Rossow crew self inducing their own odds making prior to match play. Odds calculator adjusted accordingly: 9 beers for opponents for every 3 beers by the Rossouw team. (9 to 3)


    Absolutely right on the money..kudos to Russow....should have let another team in who actually wanted to win.

    ReplyDelete
  151. The new team name for Rossouw:


    DRANKERS and TANKERS!

    ReplyDelete
  152. Kelly doesn't drank and Ramos doesn't tank!..but not vice versa

    ReplyDelete
  153. to 8:50 pm

    freakin hilarious!...best one of all 160. LMAO

    ReplyDelete
  154. to 8:38


    If you will post your name on Somabut winning that 2 pm match 3-0 tomorrow I will post mine. I will bet you a Ferrari it won't happen.

    ReplyDelete
  155. As anyone who knows Mike Kelly he would never drimk before a match unfortunately a couple of his so called team members do not share that same philosophy. Also one other side note for Bob's team "You Make Hulk Mad" oh no see you at 2:00

    ReplyDelete
  156. You will see a different Kelly today. Hmmmm..wonder why? Someone from the Somabut team yesterday guaranteed a sweep. Should have left it alone as Kelly was having fun and just playing (too) friendly tennis yesterday against someone he likes and respects. Today, not so much!

    ReplyDelete
  157. Stand by what I saw, he was drinking before that match Saturday.

    ReplyDelete
  158. you don't know what mike kelly looks like if u saw him drinking. i know for a fact that line 2 was not drinking, but line 1 had a much deserved beer during the match.

    1 Beer is NOT going to get you drunk, and the carbs are actually good for replenishing ur body.

    There is a big difference between 1 beer and 5 beers.

    ReplyDelete
  159. I believe in prohobiton. We are too advanced of a sociey to allow alcohol consumption in this country.

    ReplyDelete
  160. Pickett wins 8.5 after losing their first match and Kaiser wins 7.5 by sweeping all teams.

    ReplyDelete
  161. How many times did Pickett play? At least Somabut and even Big Bird have the balls to play themselves. Pickett just plays with himself when his ringers win. What a loser.

    ReplyDelete
  162. Pickett wasn't even on the roster so rather hard for him to play. It's actually pretty selfless to captain a team you aren't ever going to even step on the court for. It's a lot of work putting everything together for us lazy people who just show up and play.

    Maybe if Pickett ever talked about how good he is, it would be appropriate to bash him for not playing but it would be hard to find someone who has heard him do that.

    Kudos to Roussow for playing hard this afternoon, that showed a lot of class. I think Somabut proved a lot of the prognosticators wrong with how well they played this weekend. Other than Keith that was a very strong team.

    Fun weekend of tennis.

    ReplyDelete
  163. Hopefully they put me back at 4.0 where I belong.

    ReplyDelete
  164. And congrats to team Pickett. They were clearly the best team this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  165. Keith------you are a great player and a great guy!!!! Congrats to Joel for winning it! Great run for all the top teams!!! Sisk

    ReplyDelete
  166. someone start a 4.0 league post. who will be the top teams in the Fall?

    ReplyDelete
  167. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  168. Keith if you belong at 4.0 then so do I, that's all I'm saying. I would however like it so you could carry me in combo again.

    ReplyDelete
  169. Wow great victory for 7.5 combo team Kaiser this weekend. Not loosing a single line all weekend...

    ReplyDelete
  170. Get over yourself Kaiser.

    ReplyDelete
  171. 4.0 League Fall Post -

    Too many teams to cover. Easier to wait until broken down into flights and then can cover top 2-3 teams in each flight.

    ReplyDelete
  172. who on Somabut's team said we would sweep? If you think about it, we played with three true 4.5's, a 4.5 bump up and the rest of us were 4.0. In three of the matches we didn't play one of the 4.5's. I had a blast this weekend, it was great meeting some fantastic players and fun guys as well. Congrats to Pickett's crew and good luck. Can't wait for the next one. Thanks again to all who played.

    ReplyDelete
  173. Congrats to team Pickett - the best team won despite their rough start. Congrats to Baker & Bearden going undefeated, playing all 4 matches in that heat and against some really tough opponents! Every match was fun and both our team members and the opponents were class everytime. Contrary to reports, Brian Colao seems to be a really nice guy and we had a very enjoyable match. Hopefully the negativity towards him will stop now.

    It was a real treat to watch Kern, Slezak and Kelly this weekend. All are very very good tennis players!

    We have a great time at this event every year and I highly recommend playing next year.

    ReplyDelete
  174. Rossouw, how about props for Kiron who is a beast and took it to Kelly this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  175. True, Kiron is also a great player!

    ....but let us also not forget the squirrel in the dugout that stared down Kelly from just 2 feet advancing and intimidating until Mike backed down and ran away a nervous wreck. (True story witnessed by many!) I think the aquirrel heard about what Mike does to butterflies....

    ReplyDelete
  176. Kiron no doubt tough but Kelly for some reason played w no passion and without his usual grit. Maybe the heat or the fact he respects some of the members of the Pickett team. The heat was tough. I suspect a little "help" for the opposition was the reason. I know Kelly and loyalty is something he takes seriously. That was not sectionals interest level no doubt. Either way kudos to Pickett team and good luck. BTW, squirrel was a referee in drag looking for an illegal substance or drug enhancing supplement. Test results to follow.

    ReplyDelete
  177. You Anon's crack me up. Kelly played with no passion... LOL! Now THAT is an anon trying to stir the pot.

    Let me clarify that remark. It was Rossouw's fault. Rossouw had a team meeting and said "Let's make sure that we don't try, because we are loyal to team Pickett." All the guys followed right in line.

    What a moronic statement.

    ReplyDelete
  178. Bob gave the same speech as well, which is the only reason that Rossouw beat Somabut.

    ReplyDelete
  179. so did the squirrel! Had Bob had a better day Kelly would have lost in straight. Bob is a much more experienced doubles player and a little smarter on the court.

    ReplyDelete
  180. Bob Bryan maybe....

    ReplyDelete
  181. Somabut's team didn't roll over to Rossouw. Mike Kelly is a very strong player and Bob and Tommy were no match but the other two matches were very close, they could have gone either way.

    ReplyDelete
  182. I for one am getting more than a little tired of constantly reading about the "hated Rossouw" and the "cheating Kelly", can we please change the subject? We all know how hated Rossouw is and what a cheating/tanker Kelly is!

    Next topic please!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  183. I thought it was the "cheating Rossouw" and the "hated Kelly", any thoughts anyone?

    ReplyDelete
  184. Mike Kelly was at his kid's birthday party, and tanked a game of "Simon Says" so he could get to Luby's before the line got too long.

    ReplyDelete
  185. Mike Kelly is so excited about playing this weekend he willing to play at 50%.

    ReplyDelete
  186. Mike Kelly update he will not be available to play mixed because he is playing in a qualifying round for the nationwide tour. Wow this guy wears many hats good luck Mike.

    ReplyDelete
  187. Actually, mike and gene can't play this weekend. Gene is working at his new real job and mike will only play if gene does. Springpark has no chance now.

    ReplyDelete
  188. What did Mike wear to work today? I did not catch it on TMZ? Where are the latest paparazzi pics?

    ReplyDelete
  189. Mike Kelly wore a raspberry beret to work. The kind you'd find in a second hand store. Raspberry beret, and it is was warm, he wouldn't wear much more. Raspberry beret.....I think I loooooove him.

    ReplyDelete
  190. No Austin Wild. We only had a Mike Kelly update under "Combo next weekend".

    ReplyDelete