Wednesday, August 20, 2014

And Now For a Kinder, Gentler Weekend - Yeah, Right




I’ll lead with my safest bet, Brookhaven/Goswami to win 9.0 mixed.  So there were only three teams and there is no city playoff?  Then I like them even more.  You will note some similarities with the team that won 9.0 over 40 sectionals, and I think that’s a good thing.  While Amarillo may have demonstrated the virtues of having singles players that are teenager-ish, a lot of mixed requires the guys to be a little smarter about a style of play that most men will never experience.  A seasoned crowd for mixed can be a very good thing.  And just a thought, but how do you have 19 players on a team that only plays three lines and six matches?  That’s less than two matches per player.
I almost skipped 8.0 mixed because no one seems to care about it.  Wow, how can one level of mixed doubles generate so much interest, blog fodder, and bad blood.  Great stuff for ratings.  They will play the 2 versus 3 and winner plays 1 format.  A couple of big questions at this level, but the biggest is whether he will be available for both matches.  I have mixed emotions about Kelly.  He seems to always win when he wants to but his availability over the years is a bit of a mystery.  Of course, he is still the Lord of the Ratings and he never plays harder than when he’s with Alan so I’m going to assume he’s playing and look for a SpringPark versus Brookhaven final.  Then it all depends on how they line them up.  Brookhaven/Davis looks deeper to me but mixed is only three lines.  They sailed through the season with only one loss to a Canyon Creek team that missed the playoffs but Brookhaven had a light lineup out for that match.  SpringPark should start up 1-0 but there is a fair amount of drop off as you go from their line 1 to line 2 to line 3.  If Kelly doesn’t draw Brookhaven’s #3 line I like SpringPark’s chances.  Otherwise, I like Brookhaven’s depth. 
At 7.0 McKinney/Muniz rolled through the regular season undefeated.  No reason they shouldn’t be the favorite here.  With the 2 versus 3 match and the winner versus 1 match both being played the same morning, there is a huge advantage to being the #1 seed.  The mistake here is worrying too much about resting people and losing in the first match.   I like the lineup Lynn had against Greenhill more than the one she had against McKinney in the regular season.  Greenhill needs to play its best lineup in the first match and hope there’s a sectionals wildcard.  Either way, no reason the team that went 8-0 during the season can’t go 1-0 in the playoffs.  But this is the level where suspect captaining can get in the way of winning so anything is still possible.
And a quick note on combo last weekend.  Congrats to the 8.5 winner of Sisk/Kingsley.  After starting off Saturday at 1-1 (3-3 on lines) they rolled to back-to-back sweeps on Sunday.  I believe that’s three in a row for Sisk at 8.5.  Congrats as well to Gardner’s 7.5 team.  Going 12-0 over four matches doesn’t leave much doubt about who was the best team at that level.  These teams' formula for success?  Load up on people who just had successful runs at sectionals in 18s, along with the assorted ringer sprinkled in.  Good luck in Austin.
 

80 comments:

  1. I don't play mixed so my knowledge of the women on these rosters if fairly limited. Since that's a big factor in these match-ups, maybe someone with a little more expertise can shed some light on this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I nominate Pickett to do the breakdown on the women in DFW tennis!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Alzuro has Keith Clark, Terry Coffman, Leonard Hutchison, and Sean Fenter.
    Hord has Patrick Johnson, LJ Erickson, Paul To, and Steve Nguyen.
    Matchup seems pretty even. Edge to Hord based on Patrick Johnson.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mixed is usually about who has the best women. The team with the best women almost always determine who wins. The man sees so few balls.

      Delete
    2. ^^^Ain't that the truth. Mixed is crosscourt women's lob practice. All the man does is serve, return and watch to ball go up and back down very slowly.

      Delete
    3. It's about the women

      Delete
  4. The real question is does Kelly give it his all as was mentioned in the opening. If he does Springpark is up 1-0 regardless of who he plays. I would totally agree when playing for Alan he actually might play at 85 percent, anyone else prob 60. It will all come down to SP being able to get another line. The king will be there Saturday contrary to what the rumors are that he is tired of eliminating Brookhaven .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Are you sure? I heard he has been in mourning since there is no Canyon Creek to eliminate. I know he gets to eliminate two Brookhaven teams so that has to be a pretty good consolation.

      Delete
    2. I think knocking out Brookhaven McCullough in combo was enough consolation. Specifically beating up on Brandon Myers. Conveniently RJ sat that one out. Is he interested enough to play and beat Bartlett... again. Funny enuff he likes Bartlett so he may just keep helping FW advance.

      Delete
  5. You people are crazy. If u play Kelley just hit to the woman and take him out of the match. I was two points from taking him to a third set breaker in mixed and only lost bec he hit a few incredibly lucky shots!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right. It's so easy, just hit to the woman. Yet you still lost? HE hit a few incredibly lucky shots? I thought you were taking him out of the match?

      Delete
  6. Kelly has won w three different partners in Dallas and two different partners in FW. He had helped FW go undefeated and they will most likely head to sectionals at 10-0. Does he play city Dallas playoffs Saturday or give Bartlett a shot at advancing by not showing up. I know one guy who hopes he passes and everyone else holds their breath they don't draw him. My guess is he plays, but just out of his loyalty to Alan.

    ReplyDelete
  7. SP only has 7 people qualified. Alan didn't even try to make playoffs and they end up 2nd. How in the heck does he do it?????!!!!!! Criticize and bash the king of mixed but Kelley has been the best mixed player in Dallas (and now FW) for years and years. That is very difficult to do.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Does anyone on the planet care about mixed? It is very easy to win and there is nothing to make it competitive. What Kelly has done amounts to walking to nationals. Anyone can do it if you want to waste the time. I personally think it is a joke.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually, a lot if us care about mixed. It is time for a changing of the guard.

      Delete
    2. Let's change the subject. At least SP and Kelly didn't win combo. Mr Sisk from Garland shut everybody up. Hope you enjoy watching combo sectional from your couch KELLEY!

      Delete
  9. Brookhaven(s) will have no problem with Kelly and Mr. 4.0 AlanA.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, they will smother them just like they have the last few years. Kelly has skipped more national events than Brookhaven will ever see. Now that puts things into perspective.

      Delete
  10. The changing of the guard will last one season only bec SP had to break up bec of two national trips in 2013. If ur gonna beat SP better do it now

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What makes you so sure one of the country clubs isn't building for next year too? I know mine is. hehehehe...

      Delete
    2. I'm sure it won't matter

      Delete
  11. The only thing country clubs are building is DTA autonomy.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Alan needs to find a way to manufacture that second line. Winning the first match shouldn't be too hard if they have everyone out.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Kelly will not be playing. He has FW in first and with a win Saturday they are headed to sectionals. There is no playoff in FW and they have 10 teams, seems strange.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would have thought that he'd play Dallas city playoffs just to eliminate Brookhaven from sectionals. I guess its another availability issue.

      Delete
  14. No more mixed talk unless you want Kelly talk. Only Kelly wants that.

    ReplyDelete
  15. His FW team is much better so most likely he plays there. Not sure he cares to eliminate Bartlett. Never really seen an issue w him. Unless that don't have enuff qualified men he will skip it.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Normally I would say you don't skip a chance to beat your rival. Except in this case their is no rival, never has he lost a match to a Brookhaven team.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can he say that about Canyon Creek... I think not. Owned him last time it mattered.

      Delete
    2. He wasn't playing for Alan

      Delete
  17. Kelly just won his line 6-0,6-2. Other two lines in breakers. Very exciting stuff!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. SP wins second match, now to play final at 11:30

    ReplyDelete
  19. Today final or tomorrow at 11:30????

    ReplyDelete
  20. This subject is as exciting/awesome as it gets. But shouldn't it be on a 3.0/3.5 ladies blog?

    ReplyDelete
  21. 3.0/3.5 blog report that sp wins 2-1. Kelly wins 10-6 in tiebreaker.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Winner???????? Go Brookhaven!!!!! Take that freakin Kelley down!!! This is our year!

    ReplyDelete
  23. A little late to the party. Kelly and company beat both Brookhaven teams.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Sorry to disappoint but Kelly and company took down both Brookhaven teams in one day. Alan knows how to captain!!!!! Best there is!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Never seen anyone hog the court like what I saw today. That should be illegal what Kelley did in second and third set. I hope he sleeps well tonight. Ballhogger!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes because when u have a 4.5 guy and a 3.5 girls, you want the 3.5 girl to hit most of the balls.

      Delete
  26. I'm sure he will sleep well. He's tired from covering the whole court.

    ReplyDelete
  27. To the earlier poster that said "nobody cares about mixed":

    Maybe you should tell that to about 20 Brookhaven members watching and praying for a win. I would say more people watched the mixed than the men's 4.5. Hmmmmm

    ReplyDelete
  28. I am now a believer. This guy can flat out win when needed. Kelley and Alan turned Brookhaven upside down today. When are the finals?

    ReplyDelete
  29. A believer just now? As far as I am concerned he is the best "money mixed player" in USTA. It is fun to hate and bitch but he does it yet again, w yet a different partner. He def plays hard for Alan and does deserve the accolades. Good stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Actually I was there. Alan earned his new 4.0 rating. His partner was on fire. He played pretty bad. His 3rd team really stepped up and won 2 huge matches. I think it was the Mauldins. Solid team.

    ReplyDelete
  31. You can NEVER count out a Springpark team when it comes time for cities, sectionals and nationals.

    ReplyDelete
  32. More country club anguish at the racquet of Mike Kelly

    ReplyDelete
  33. Agree with 9:19. I was there and not necessarily rooting for anyone but Brookhaven fans did all they could to disrupt mike. First time I have ever seen a referee warn people watching to keep quiet. Pretty sure that was not a good idea. From that point Kelly and partner didn't lose a game and won tiebreaker somewhat handily. That will be a hard pill for Brookhaven to swallow for a long time. I would have liked to have seen the reaction if Brookhaven had of won that match though. That would have been a sight to see. Oh well, maybe next year, or not.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Why in the world did Brookhaven captain play the lineup in reverse order? Ellis partner never lost a match all year and Ellis only one loss ( to mike during season). They should have played 1 or 2. Rookie mistake?

    ReplyDelete
  35. Line numbers are just numbers. There is no rule or anything that says how you should line up. As captain, you can always beat yourself up trying to outguess the other team especially when you think they have a dominant line.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why though do they even say line 1,2 and 3 then? Seems a little weird if you finish in first place in the league you would over think your lineup and put a female at line 3 that was 5-0? Shouldn't she be at 1 or 2??

      Delete
    2. For you they will change the lines to a, b, and c. That won't work. You will think the best team has to play a

      Delete
  36. Brookhaven rarely plays their best team at line 1 in playoffs. I guess alan knows that. He played the guessing game pretty well.

    ReplyDelete
  37. With all the success Alan has had against Brookhaven why wouldn't they change then??? R u kidding me? Two Brookhaven teams can't beat a Springpark team, who has to play back to back matches with a 30 minute break only?? With the same 6 people?? How did Alan pull that off? He can motivate better than any captain I have ever seen

    ReplyDelete
  38. Poll: Who strokes themselves (or each other) most on this blog, Alan A or Mike K ???

    I mean really. This has gotten ridiculous.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Poll this: who constantly wins mixed year in and year out?

    I Mean really. This has gotten
    ridiculous.

    ReplyDelete
  40. MK played and won 8.0 MXD in FW Sunday too. It's absolutely astonishing....most 5.0 guys would rather beat their head against a wall than play 8.0 MXD. MK never misses an 8.0 match and wastes large amounts of time tanking in Men's leagues for the privilege of doing so. I just don't get it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So you think 8.0 is easy. Go look up the record, tourney history and 4.5 doubles ranking of the guy Kelly played yesterday in FW. Get back when you can.

      Delete
    2. The score was 0 & 0, pretty clear that it was easy, that's the point.

      I'm sure that guy is a decent 4.5, but he has a close match vs Kingsley and another loss with a 4.5 partner vs an 8.5 team. I'm sure giving him and his 3.5 wife a thrashing would be thrilling for an average 4.5 player, but no respectable 5.0 is going to be bragging about that.

      Delete
  41. I guess that's what you call a true definition of a p*ssy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Them what do you call the guys who play 8.0 mixed but don't win.

      Delete
    2. You call them his opponents.

      Delete
  42. Good point! What do you call the guys who ask to not play Mike before the match even starts?

    ReplyDelete
  43. Most 5.0 guys would not be able to even do what Kelley has done. His winning percentages is absolutely gawdy. Plug in any 5.0 in his shoes and they still aren't 97-5 last 6 years. Three of those losses tank jobs and another was a one set only match in the dark. Not too shabby.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some would, some wouldn't. Specifically - the ones that beat Kelly frequently enough for him to realize that his path to nationals was to tank down to 4.5 and play 8.0 would. The ones that that have been bumped UP to 5.0 because of the watered down 4.5 league and rampant tanking wouldn't.

      What sets MK apart isn't his tennis ability. It's simply that no other solid 5.0 is willing to subject themselves to that amount of tanking and bad 8.0 tennis so that they can add 8.0 nationals appearances to their "career" accomplishments. It's completely meaningless to them.

      Delete
  44. I challenge Kelly and partner to a mixed match, and I will win. I will reveal my identity if he will accept. UNLESS HE IS TOO SCARED!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Only if you agree to Pickett being the ball boy for the match???

    ReplyDelete
  46. anyone go to the One Direction concert last night? it was awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  47. I still can't get over the sheer stupidity of heckling him during a match when you have him down a set and a break. Pissing him off elevates his game. Your best chance is if he doesn't care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For a set and a half he looked to be completely happy to let lines 1 and 2 win. He even stayed on his side of the court. When the crowd began to heckle it was a complete turnaround. The whole group should of headed to the bar at 1-1 w his match left and not antagonized him. Crazy!!!

      Delete
  48. That may be the best blog yet. It was obvious he was disinterested and waiting for Alan to win. Kelly was slow playing the whole time. Funny after Alan lost and Brookhaven was up a set and break they never won another game and lost the breaker. Why in the heck would you begin harassing him at that point ?? Stupidity!

    ReplyDelete
  49. I will not say what team I am a member of but we have just signed up a college player as a 4.5 to play mixed next year. He will send Kelley home like a crying baby when they play.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks for letting us know cheater will make sure to file a grievance, but you keep being a D0Bag bragging

      Delete
    2. That's 1 line. Who wins the other 1. Also. What 3.5 women do you have.

      Delete
  50. No more Kelly talk even if your MK writing on the blog. Annoying and who cares about MIXED

    ReplyDelete
  51. Not bragging, just saying our college 4.5 ( legal self rate) will bring Kelley down to earth and shut him up!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. third, fourth, fifth, to infinity on that......

    ReplyDelete
  53. Lol. People always talk and same thing happens. SP wins

    ReplyDelete