The draws are out. Let me know some interesting matchups.
My challenge partner (aka Batman) will be playing John Kraemer in the first round on Friday night in the 4.0 singles draw. Yikes, sorry John I like Jeromi in this matchup.
Tuyen Nguyen will likely play Don Buford in the 2nd round, so one of the Houston duo should be ousted early. The other half of the Houston crew will play seeded Scott Russell so hmmm they could both be out early.
I avoided the "play in" match on Friday night in 4.0 doubles that honor goes to Zach Stein and his partner. How crazy is this I just saw Kelsey and Marcus will take on Kraemer and Ludwig in the first round. John and Jeromi will be sick of one another by Saturday afternoon.
I pulled my old friend Steve Adams and his son in the first should be a good match. If we win we get the #1 seed Nguyen/Newman. I am so psyched for that.
Ismael will play Scott in his second match...that should be a really good and entertaining match. It will be interesting to see how seasoned 4.0 tournament players like Scott handle Ismael's style.
ReplyDeleteWhat style is that?
ReplyDeleteThat looks like one of the most poorly made draws I have ever seen. Some matches play at 10 a.m. and others play at 8 p.m. in the same round. What happened to maintaining competitive balance? I would love to be the guy to have 24 hours between matches while my opponent only has 12.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like one of the most poorly made draws I have ever seen. Some matches play at 10 a.m. and others play at 8 p.m. in the same round. What happened to maintaining competitive balance? I would love to be the guy to have 24 hours between matches while my opponent only has 12.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the double post.
ReplyDeleteIt is questionable, that's for sure. What has worked in the past, is try to schedule all of the singles matches in the daytime and doubles in the afternoon.
ReplyDeleteIf I win my first match, I don't think my next match is until Saturday at 2:30pm. That's a lot of down time for me, but the benefit is that the weather will not be as cool as it would have been at 9-10 o'clock in the morning.
By the way, does anyone know who Steven McIntosh is??
ReplyDeleteyep he used to play with Bob Bender. I have only played doubles with and against him a few years ago. He has pretty good strokes but I think you will match up well with him. I have noticed he has done well in tourneys though, I wanna say he retired early and is now a professional USTA tennis player so watch out I am sure he is better then when I played him.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know anything about the number 1 seed in 4.0? If things go according to plan I should play him in the second round.
ReplyDeletehe is from the FTW area. From the look of his results he just looks OK. I think you have a good looking draw Batman I expect you to bring home the trophy to the Bat Cave.
ReplyDeleteI also have a possible #1 seed lurking in round two for me. It is Hai and Tim. I know Hai's game but I have never seen Tim play. I know they are a better team but when Jan and I are on and playing well we can hang with these guys and you never know what could happen. I actually prefer hitting them early because if we get past them I don't think anyone else in the draw would scare us.
Jeromi, John Blackwell is a very capable player he hits big topspin off both sides,hard strokes. Good serve and a very nice guy.You should have a very interesting match with him. If he is on his game he will be tough. Good Luck
ReplyDeleteTim and Hai will not be taking prisoners at this event. Be warned, be ready, and i'd probably wear a cup, too.
ReplyDeleteAs for J. Blackwell, hit hard and move him, his big long strokes dont handle that well.
I like Scott's chances against Ismael but it will be close. The one time I was on the court with Scott it was in doubles. We hung with him for a little while but Scott seems to get stronger as the matches goes along. As quick as Ismael is I don't know if that will be as much help against Scott because he is one of those players that has a great ability to hold the ball on his racquet till the last moment and no matter how fast you are if you don't know which way to go you can't get to every ball. OK Scott I just gave you a big compliment, don't let me down, take out the Houston boys!!!!
ReplyDeleteany advice for playing Tim and Hai???
ReplyDelete"any advice for playing Tim and Hai???"
ReplyDeletePray! Seriously, those 2 guys are at the top of the 4.0 division in DFW. The only advice I have is to outplay them at the net. I'm so glad they're on the other side of the draw.
I'll try and say extra prayers on the way down maybe stop at a church or two since we would play them on Sunday. I did watch a match with Hai and Kirby when they lost to Brookhaven/Bartlett in the playoffs so I did see a couple of weaknesses there but I don't know Tim's game at all. I think for us it will be getting out to good start because Jan and I don't play well from behind but can hold serve easily if we get an early break.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the help with Blackwell. I'm going to try not to think about it too much before next Saturday. I still have to try and get through my first round before I can worry too much about him. I do want to say good luck to everyone next weekend though (unless of course you are playing me) haha.
ReplyDeletePersonally I kind of like the draws. I'm on the opposite half of the singles draw from Jonathan. I'm on the opposite half of the draw from Cary in doubles. For me at least I don't have to worry about playing a friend early in. I also like the idea of playing a top seed early on because if I win that match it will set me up for the weekend. If I lose, time to go to Margaritaville. :)
If anyone is wanting to hit next week let me know. I'm taking Monday and Tuesday off for family time during the holidays but I'm free for any time Wednesday on. I would really like to get in a good work out Friday morning before playing that night.
ReplyDeletejeromi_k@hotmail.com
Bring Blackwell in. He loves staying back and hitting groundstrokes (big topspin). Hit short, angled slice shots and try to get him away from the baseline. He is a very solid 4.0 player but also very beatable.
ReplyDeleteThere are no dominant 4.0 players actually in the 4.0 draw. It seems fairly open at this point. Good luck to all.
ReplyDeleteCool. I'll work on my short angles and see what I can do with it. I don't understand how he was seeded #1. He didn't play hardly any tournaments this year and the ones that he did play in he didn't do very well in. Does anyone know how that happens?
ReplyDeleteIf gambling were legal in Texas and you were betting on the Cotton Bowl, what one person/team would you pick for 3.5 singles and doubles and 4.0 singles and doubles? Oh, and you must put friendships aside and you cannot pick yourself. Just thought I'd see...
ReplyDelete3.5 Singles: Prather
ReplyDelete3.5 Dubs: Bostick/Muniz
4.0 singles: Kelsey
4.0 dubs: Helterbrann/Mattes
3.5 singles will probably come down to Delira and Prather since this division has been cleared out of the regular winners like Dutchover, Kraemer, etc.
3.5 dubs is tough don't see anything too scary but I like the Sbrdge group to do well
4.0 singles: Not just because he is Batman but I like his draw and lack of ringers entered
4.0 dubs: Nguyen and Newman would be about even but I think Helterbrann/Mattes should be able to hang with them, kind of boring to pick the top 2 seeds but I think they are truly the best two teams on paper and probably on the court.
Jeromi,
ReplyDeleteI have not closely examined the seeds,But I would Guess that due to the end of the year Rating that all the top level players at any div are now in the next highest div,
Also,
I my case I have Family in town ect.. making it difficult to participate.