4.5 Sectionals

I might sound like a homer but I think the two reps at 4.5 have a chance to make it far next weekend. I had a chance to watch them play each other and these guys are good.

Branch is built on depth and has top players from top to bottom and even on the bench. Royal Oaks is built in the other common USTA league way, "get three ringers and then fill the rest of the roster up with good guys.". Royal Oaks will rely on the big three of Molina, Bui and Gonzales but those are three guys I would love to depend on in a tourney like this. Gonzales has smooth and powerful strokes, Molina wears you down with a slice that probably literally cuts into the ball and Bui has the whole package.

Here is a look at what they will see.

OC/Branch

Friday:
8:30a @ Greenhill v. Wild Austin (last minute entry from Austin blogger Tatu)
This team is good but not sure if all were prepared to make this trip before they got the call. One thing is for sure coming in 2nd in the town where the national rep came from is not a bad accomplishment. They will be tough test for Branch's group.

1p @ Greenhill v. FW
The battle for the metroplex and most likely this flight occurs at GH at 1p. FW has some good history but so does Branch. FW has a couple of new guys that are supposed to put them over the top but not sure they can matchup from 1-8. This should be a great match.

Saturday
noon v. Abilene @ Brookhaven. This is a curious one, this QT qualifying team had to play some good teams to qualify. Dallas will obviously know by this point how good they are and of course they have the hammer Jason Kern playing for them so they will be tough and not go down easy.


Royal Oaks

Friday
8:30a @ TBAR v. Houston
What a way to get your morning started, I would love to watch this but I already called in for a "doctor's appt" to watch a 4.0 match. I will be checking my computer to find out this score. I am obviously pulling for wild Dallas here but I am not sure they can match up but if there is a time to play them it is when the big 3 are fresh and that might just be the difference.

1p @ TBAR v. Corpus Christi
All the talk is about Maingot but I am not sure this young gun is in the same league with Bui or Gonzales but might be able to take Molina depending on his skill set. I am not sure how deep the CC team but this will not be an easy match after a 2 hour or less break coming off the big Houston match.

Saturday
10a @ Greenhill v. Waco
Not a bad way to end the flight, kind of hard to look at this Waco team, they did not really have to play anyone to get here and not sure they are up to the task of taking on this Dallas team.