DNR advances to Southwest Finals!

CD's run comes to an end... DNR wins in straight sets: 6-3, 6-4!

Waveland Tennis Complex, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) - Players were on-serve until CD hits the rim of his racket trying to return a DNR dropshot!  This gave DNR a 5-3 lead, and a chance to serve it out!  Although CD held a double break-point---DNR steps up the pressure, culminating with a winner down the line to end the 1st-set 6-3!

DNR has to play catch-up for the first half of the second---tying at 3-3, he then inches ahead for a 4-3 lead! When CD levels the set at 4-4 it looks like a third-set is in the making!  This wasn't to be however, as DNR takes the next two for a 6-3,6-4 straight-set victory!  DNR eliminates CD from this year's tournament, while advancing himself to the Southwest Finals!

The Champ's family showing their support for TowerTennis-X!

The Champ's Dad, Grandma, and Mom!

SV advances to North Finals!

AJ's 2013 tournament comes to a sudden end!

Harmon Park, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) - Down 5-0, and double set-point down...AJ surges to take advantage before eventually succumbing in the first!

For those playing pick'ems---It came down to the last game of the match! SV leading 5-2 covers the spread if he holds, while AJ covers with a win!  SV has a strong service game, followed by two perfectly executed lobs to take the match 6-0,6-2. 

SV covers the spread...While, AJ packs his bags!

RM sweeps DS in a straight-set shutout!

DS moves to the Southeast-Bracket!

Crossroads Park, West Des Moines, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) - Two first year tournament players brave the heat!  DS gets back into the swing of things after dodging tornadoes in OKC. While, RM hones his skills for match play!  RM's preparation was evident---he ran the court with his inexperienced opponent!  DS showed consistency, and the beginnings of good stroke execution. RM demonstrated power, and strategic placement!  Look for big things from both these first-year players as they gain experience!

CA advances to West-Semifinals!

Scott lets third-set slip away... CA wins in tie-breaker!

Harmon Park, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) -  The momentum in this match ebbed and flowed between players throughout!  Scott (AS) starts out strong---jumping ahead to a 2-0 lead!  Chris (CA) manages to tie it up at 2-all, then each player digs in for a marathon 5-deuce game ending with a deep shot by CA.  This forced Scott to attempt a volley from the baseline!  The volley falls short, and CA breaks the tie to lead 3-2!  Scott then takes the momentum back, pulling ahead to 4-3, but is shutdown by a CA slam!  CA now takes three straight, and takes the set with a win at love!

Sprinkles turn to rain, as players take shelter in their vehicles.  It looks like the match will have to suspend, when shortly thereafter, the rain stops and players agree to resume play on a very wet surface!

Waterlogged balls rooster-tail spray, as players try to use the wet conditions to gain an edge!  Scott targeted the baseline, while Chris focused on counter-hits down the lines.  Leading 4-0, it looked like Scott would easily push the match into a third-set, when Chris starts turning it on!  Advantage-down, AS executes a Sopcic style brown-eye! The shot is good, but CA wins the point! CA closes to 3-4 as players keep it close!  When Scott hits a crosscourt forehand winner on the run...He ties it up at 6-6!

In the tie-breaker, Chris jumps out to a 4-1 lead, but Scott narrows the gap!  Scott stays within striking range when he goes for a sideline winner!  The shot is wide, and now Chris holds double match-point! After a lengthy rally, AS hits short into the net!  CA wins match: 6-4, 7-6(7-5)!

DR advances to the West Finals!

KB pops a calf muscle... Forced to retire!

Here's some information provided by KB about his injury: Calf strains are a common injury. This injury was first described in 1883 in association with tennis and is commonly called tennis leg. The classic presentation is of a middle-aged male tennis player who suddenly extends the knee with the foot in dorsiflexion, resulting in immediate pain, disability, and swelling. Pain and disability can last months to years depending on the severity and effectiveness of initial treatment. The gastrocnemius is considered at high risk for strains because it crosses two joints (the knee and ankle) and has a high density of type two fast twitch muscle fibers. The combination of biarthrodial architecture leading to excessive stretch and rapid forceful contraction of type two muscle fibers results in strain. This mechanism of injury conjures up the image of a cracking whip. Consequently, strains of the gastrocnemius have historically been called coup de fouet or snap of the whip.

BY advances to East-Semifinals!

Double fault misery for MM!

Harmon Park, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) - MM's game has elevated tremendously this season---from ground-strokes, to serve, to strategic attack, it's all there!  With such an advanced game, MM had a golden opportunity to top a relatively unpracticed BY!  MM attacked the net on several occasions, and had the winning volley, but hit just slightly wide!  MM's serve was a double-headed sword! At times it blasted off his racket, rocketing toward the service court for a service winner, or even an ace!  Other times, it failed miserably at critical points in the game!  MM double-faulted on game-point three separate occasions!   Meanwhile, BY's persistence kept him in the game!  Advantage-down five times, BY kept fighting back to deuce, and eventually won the day.  Down 2-4 in the second-set...BY wins four straight---finishing with a service game to be proud of!  BY tops MM 6-3,6-4!  BY will advance to the East-Semifinals, MM travels Northeast for a great match-up with CG! 

ZAH will play for the Northwest Title!

KC breaks her vow, and suffers the consequences!

Harmon Park, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) - Vowing not to shave her legs until she won again... KC succumbs to the pressure when a pool party at ZAH's parents posed concern for the filter system!  Starting the match clean shaven---KC loses her edge, and with it the match!

Although these two had some lengthy rallies, ZAH's power was evident!  Numerous shots forced KC to attempt volleys from the baseline!  Not only are these shots generally difficult, but coupled with the pace ZAH put on the ball... they were losing propositions!  With this loss, KC is eliminated from tournament competition, but ZAH will live on to play for the Northwest Championship against KS!  Another win for ZAH puts him in the playoffs, and a chance at the big trophy!  This prospect probably doesn't compensate for sleeping on the couch (a punishment for defeating his wife), but maybe she'll forgive him, if he brings home a title!  ZAH eliminates his wife KC 6-2,6-0.

TB advances to East Semifinals!

Hamstring hampers champ, but not enough to help CG!

photos by Schewe

Windsor Heigths, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) - Hindered by an injured hamstring, the champ faced a challenge today!  No one could predict just how the champ's injury would affect his performance, but despite both injury, and recent illness---the champ proved he can win against top talent even when handicapped! 

CG has developed a great serve, and demonstrated aggressive shot placement down the line (running the champ around)!  All too often however, CG's lack of follow-through resulted in short-shots which brought Sopcic to the net!  Once there, the champ dominated---hitting winner after winner!  Sopcic also benefited from several lucky netcords, and stepped-up his service game to phenomenal levels!  Despite glimpses of brilliant shot placement, CG was generally too conservative!  Sopcic took advantage whenever he could, as illustrated by an overhead slam on match-point!  The champ plays through the pain, and easily tops his quite worthy opponent! TB wins 6-1,6-3!

DH advances to East-Semifinals!

photo by MM

Pinpoint accuracy and focus prove too much for KI!

By Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) - The last time these two faced each other in tournament play was 2007---a lot has changed in nearly six years! Half a decade ago, these two fought to a 7-5 finish of the 1st-set, and a relative walkover in the 2nd with KI coming out on top!

This time it's a different story all together! Although the 1st-set starts close tied at 2-2, a lengthy 5-deuce game goes to DH!  This may have been the pivotal point in the match, since KI doesn't win another game until the 2nd-set!  Even then, the games were few and far between!  DH jumps to a 5-1 lead in the second, before KI scores again!  Despite starting to cramp late in the first, DH sails on to victory with a comfortable margin!  DH tops KI 6-2,6-2. She will now face KN to play for a spot in the East-Finals, while KI will travel northeast against JI.

AS advances to West-Quarterfinals!

DS forfeits shortly before match begins!

file photo from 2011

Norwalk, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) - DS was spared the delays of sequestration, and was able to progress with radar school.  While, AS was able to take time off to be with his family after the birth of his son.  All once in a lifetime events which obviously take priority!  The tournament was happy to suspend normal default time limits to accommodate!  The goal is for everyone to get a chance to play, not just progress down the bracket.  At some point however, delays can snowball, and start to threaten the time-table for completion. 

DS perhaps realized this, and when faced with postponing further...he decided to forfeit.  It's unfortunate these two didn't get a chance to play!  The world, and the bracket waited for the outcome!  Delano's sacrifice will permit matches waiting in limbo to now proceed. RM will now be able to get back in action playing DS for a spot in the South Semifinals. While AS can now take on CA in the West-Quarterfinals.  

The Champ is good to play!

Sopcic's hamstring injury healing quickly!

By Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) - Plagued by injury this season, the prospects of the champ repeating has been in doubt!  First the champ faced surgery for what was thought to be a torn meniscus, then most recently a pulled hamstring!  Fortunately, an MRI showed that the Champ's knee pain was not as suspected, and the pulled hamstring not as severe as in the past!  The champ has pulled his hamstring before, and this gave him reason to suspect a prolonged recovery period.  The champ's recovery has been quicker than expected...permitting him to schedule his match with CG!

It is widely suspected that the champ will not be 100% when he steps back onto the court.  This could give CG a golden opportunity for an upset victory!  The ramifications for the playoffs are significant!  Had Sopcic been forced to forfeit, or if CG can benefit from the Champ's diminished capacity. The bracket could be rattled!  This injury could result in several contenders facing each other on the same side of the playoff-bracket (eliminating one another). Meanwhile, Dynasty-Champ JT would be freed to wreak havoc on the other side---thereby having a relatively easier path to the finals.  All will depend on whether the Champ's injury will give CG the edge he needs for victory!

KB advances to West-Semifinals!

CD overheats... forced to retire from match!

photos by Schewe

Harmon Park, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) - Curt started this match with impressive ferocity!  His serves were explosive, his ground strokes were devastating, and his volleys were like bullets!  Curt clearly has a superior game to most players in the tournament.  Unfortunately, CD's thermostat limits his time on the court!  Curt started showing signs of discomfort early in the 1st-set.  Tied at 3-3, CD believes he has a 40-15 lead, when he doesn't hear KB call a shot out!  When KB questions the score, the crowd confirms that the call was indeed out.  This seemed to be a turning point in the match!  Curt never wins another game after this setback! Curt struggles with his discomfort, both taking a medical timeout, and cooling off in air conditioning between sets. Unfortunately, his core was too hot---exasperated by KB running Curt around the court, and after errant balls---CD is forced to retire a mere 2-games into the 2nd-set.  KB defeats CD 6-3, 2-0 (retired).

DR advances to West-Semifinals!

DNR staggered by degree of loss!

photos by Schewe!

photos by SV's Samsung Galaxy

Harmon Park, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced)  It's been two years since DNR and DR have faced each other in tournament competition. When they last met, it took a 3rd-set tie-breaker to settle the contest! Prior to that---another 3-set battle raged before a victor emerged!  With this previous history between them...another fierce contest was expected!  Top match analyst gave Dean a 3.5 game edge for the entire match!  Dean however, exceeded all expectations!  With a 6-0,6-1 near shutout of a former finalist (DNR vs JT 2004), and his historic upset of the Dynasty Champ just last round...Dean is rapidly becoming the man to watch!

technical difficulties prevented the uploading of after-match video.

BW advances to West-Semifinals... but faces time in the doghouse!

ASH may have lost the battle, but she'll likely win the war!

Pleasant Hill, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) - In a Spousal-Showdown, BW shows no mercy with his better-half!  With their son watching from his stroller... BW shuts Ashley out with a 6-0, 6-0 straight-set victory!  BW is favored to make the West Final now, while ASH moves Southwest!

MM advances to East-Quarterfinals!

AJ moves North where he'll encounter SV!

photos by Keith

Harmon Park, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) - Practice makes perfect---MM practices, and AJ hasn't had time!  MM sweeps the court with a straight-set victory over AJ!

MM will advance to a East-Quarterfinal battle with BY!  BY is historically a top-level player---MM's improved game will be challenged... but it might just be enough!  Meanwhile, the time demands on AJ are indeed incredible!  The fact that he made the time to play at all shows his dedication to the tournament!

Foot-Fault Fiasco... SV advances by crossing the line!

Schewe will play for the Northwest Title!

photos by Keith

Harmon Park, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) - Schewe went up against someone today who has played tennis longer than he's been alive!  The outcome wasn't surprising, but the former two-time champion seems to have issues with foot-faulting!  Meanwhile, Schewe actually benefited from today's loss!  KS will move to the Northwest-Bracket where he has a bye---this will advance KS into the title game, where he will meet the winner of Team-Heggen!

interview by the champ

JG advances to North Semifinal!

photo by the champ

ZAH moves Northwest where he faces the wrath of his wife KC!

Valley Southwoods, West Des Moines, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) - JG jumps out to a commanding 4-0 start, but has no answers for the next 5-games!  ZAH takes the lead at 5-4 then JG battles back to tie!  All even at 5-5 the next game was a 6-deuce marathon before JG pulls ahead!  JG goes on to take the 1st-set 7-5, and edges another close one in the 2nd!

JG wins the match 7-5,6-4 advancing to the North Semifinal against RB.  Meanwhile, ZAH will travel Northwest to fight with his wife!  The winner there will play KS for the Northwest Title, and a playoff berth!

Note: Match summary recreated from the champs tweets!

KN advances to East Semifinals!

JI leads 3-1 in the 1st, but drops 11 straight! 

Harmon Park, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) - JI's early lead of 3-1 must have forced KN to reevaluate his tactics! KN began to implement short serves to draw Julie forward!  With powerful strokes, KN then fired his shots deep to the baseline!  This tactic proved to be very effective---not only putting Julie on the defense, but tiring her!  KN takes 11 unanswered games to defeat JI 6-3,6-0!  KN advances to the East Semifinal; JI's loss places her in the Northeast-Bracket where she'll face the loser of the DH/KI match.

RB advances to North Semifinal!

photo by the Champ

KC vows to not shave her legs until she wins again!

Harmon Park, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) -  In her rookie-year, KC takes a veteran to deuce the majority of the games played.  RB didn't lose a match last year until he lost a lengthy 3-setter against TJ!  Playing for a spot in the playoffs---RB had a great chance to win a regional championship but fell to CG!  KC's performance against a player of RB's caliber is impressive!  Look for this young woman to achieve much in the years to come!  Meanwhile, RB advances to the North Semifinal; dropping only a single game!  RB tops KC 6-0,6-1.

JI advances to East Quarterfinals!

KC on the edge of glory, loses grasp in tie-breaker!

Harmon Park, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) - This much anticipated match promised to be a thriller---and indeed the first half was! KC jumps out to an early lead of 3-0, before a frustrated JI gets on the board! KC keeps JI at a comfortable distance of 4-3, and 5-3, but then JI finds her stride! Storming back to not only tie, but take the lead at 6-5! KC is staggered, but manages to force a tie-breaker! Once the breaker begins JI's shots grow faster and more accurate as the match matured! Winning the breaker 7-6(7-2), JI sweeps the remaining games of the 2nd-set! JI shuts KC out in the second, with a triple-match point to win at love! JI tops KC 7-6(7-2),6-0!

ASH advances to West Quarterfinals!

BLL faces her 2nd hard-hitter!

Harmon Park, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) - Facing set-point down BLL benefits from a favorable roll when her shot hits the netcord!  BLL goes on to win the game---closing to 5-3 down, but succumbs to Ashley's fast paced projectiles unleashing upon her!

Meanwhile, BLL served up many of her shots on a platter, with high arcing lob-like deliveries!  This combination put BLL at a disadvantage permitting ASH to sweep the last 7-games!  ASH advances to play her husband...while BLL looks to HD for her 1st-victory!

Julie ready to bring it!

KC fighting for single mom's everywhere!

Champ suffers a potentially season ending injury!

Defending Champion Sopcic pulls a hamstring during softball!

The prognosis is uncertain as this time, but the champ is likely out of tournament competition for up to six weeks---perhaps the entire tournament! 

Defending Champion Sopcic is spending his evening in great pain, and angry!  This unforeseen setback, could prevent the Champ from what looked like an almost certain repeat!  I would like to wish the Champ a speedy recovery, with hope that he'll be able to finish the season! Without the Champ to defend his title...any victory will seem cheapened!  "The glory of any victory is commensurate with the difficulty in which it was achieved!" --- Steve England 2011.

CG advances to East Quarterfinals!

CG defeats KS 6-4,6-1!

DNR advances to West Quarterfinals!

TJ has strong performance... but no match for DNR's tennis prowess!

Valley Southwoods, By Steve England - ESVN (Fair and Balanced): A strong service-game by DNR, coupled with double faults from TJ at critical moments builds a difficult hurdle for TJ to overcome!  TJ finds himself down 5-1 before a great service-game scores him another game.  Leading 5-2...DNR has little problem closing out the 1st-set at 6-2.

DNR starts the 2nd even stronger; breaking TJ at love, but then takes a bad fall plunging into the net!  This traumatic event staggers DNR's growing momentum---perhaps contributing to his losing the next game!  DNR recovers, but can only slowly pull away.  Leading 3-1, and then 4-2---TJ hangs within striking range!  TJ's game starts to elevate---from running down several DNR volleys, to forehand winners down the line, to passing shots which stretched DNR to his limit!  TJ manages to close to 5-4, before succumbing to DNR's superior game!  DNR advances to a West Quarterfinal showdown with DR, while TJ now faces the wrath of Dynasty-Champ JT!   

KI advances to East-Quarterfinals!

JG makes a run, but falls to a strong KI!

Valley Southwoods, By Steve England - ESVN (Fair and Balanced): Serving to level the match; down 3-4, 30-40; KI can't reach a JG dropshot!  This propels JG to a 5-3 lead, and a chance to serve it out for the set!  Although, in a commanding position --- JG can't finish KI off!  Determined, KI battles back to not only tie, but take a 6-5 lead!  KI continues to execute, and holds a set-point against JG, but then he double faults!  This gives JG just enough life to tie it at 6-6...forcing a tie-breaker!  In the breaker --- JG wins the 1st-point, but KI begins to dominate!  KI easily coast through the remainder of the breaker for a 7-6(7-2) 1st-set victory!

Every point in the 2nd-set was a multi-rally exchange which included dropshot crossfire at the net, volley barrages, and deep salvos to the baseline!  KI seemed to get the angle most of the time!  This put JG on a defensive footing, permitting KI to gain ground.  KI wins six straight to take the 2nd-set 6-1.  KI advances to the East Quarterfinals 7-6(7-2),6-1!