Wow, lots of good matchups in 4.5 and 5.0. A few 5.0 predictions to start it off. Dibua beats Gound. Dibua beats Green. Reader beats Schornick. Reader beats Manalo. Reader beats Dibua. 5.0 is done.
4.5s - Looks like David Guy decided he is 4.5 to stay, good for you I guess. He will have a tough one early against the mean spirited David Luedkte, ex-coach of the Baylor womens tennis team, who made it to the finals against Dibua last year. If he wins that one, I don't see David beating Alfonso Rodriguez who has been red hot this year. Trautman should actually be thrilled with his draw on paper as he will not have to face Alfonso til the finals so perhaps there will be no sudden early round shoulder injuries this time. He does have Sanchez in the quarters and that should be tough if it happens. I would not expect Knutson to have a chance against Sanchez but Sanchez hates junk and Knutson hits it like he is Fred Sanford himself, plus Knutson has the confidence of beating Solis which I still cannot believe happened.
The real possible upsetter to all this in the 4.5 draw is Juan Dekruyff who is a very, very strong righty who has played ages, 5.0, and Open but also likes dabble in 4.5 as a lefty and still makes it to the finals at Austin tournaments with his off hand. Will be interesting to see how he plays this one. If he really tries and sticks around to the end, he could definitely emerge as the dark horse from the bottom and give Alfonso a run for his money. Otherwise, I would say this tournament will go the way of the last 3 major zones and end up in the hands of Alfonso.
4.0 - There's Foad and a whole bunch of other guys. My guess is that the winner will be someone from the whole bunch of other guys, but if Foad and can somehow pull it off, I guess that is good for Houston, even if a bunch of you guys keep hating on him for some reason.
Good luck to everyone, lets have some fun this week and here hoping you don't cramp!
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115 comments:
Trautmann will catch a break as Carlos Aguirre will have to step out of the singles. Carlos is right out of college tennis and playing well.
That David Luedkte sure is a jerk when he plays tennis. He should just stick to coaching.
I forgot to mention Schmucker in the preview. My bad. If he can handle Kern's net attack, which he should with a combination of his forehand, down the line backhand, and topspin lobs (moonballs), I would expect him to make it to the semis before dropping in straights to Alfonso. Of course last year, he went to Waco and lost in the first round. Then won the next two major zones. Anyway, sorry for mentioning you Schmuck. Good Luck.
Does the seeding go by the rolling 12 months or does the year to date matter. I am trying to figure out why Gound is the one seed in mens 5.0 singles and Manalo is the two seed. Manalo has the highest rolling 12 month ranking. If year to date is considered then shouldn't Green or Reader be seeded (they are one and two in year to date)?
Kallus and Knutson Head to Head: Knutson would probably drive Kallus insane with all his junk balls. Knutson without a doubt.
Knutson will TOTALLY ANNIHILATE Kallus. Kallus would be lucky to get more than a few games.
Dudes, you should check out the Houston league blog. Somebody is griping about one of Freeman's ringers, Narajos, and the comments are hilarious.
Keep your league comments on that blog.
You might be shocked but from what I recall, Kallus has beaten Knutson at least twice in tournaments and most of their matches have been pretty close. Don't know if they have played each other the past couple of years though, cause Knutson seems to be on the rise and Kallus on the fade.
as far as foad and luedke being dicks,i know foad and i played luedke last year,and both are class acts.by the way,thanks for the props mr.guy.give me a call when youre in the hill country.
I think Foad is a penis also.
foad sucks
Also, Mr. Anonymous,
Reader says I am a "class act". You say the opposite. Lets see, who should people believe, a 4.0 level loser like you or a 5.0 Major Zone Champ like Thomas Reader (aka, Lord of the Strings).
Foad
Mr. Anonymous,
I typically dont respond to all the blogs I get here. My apologies. I lost 1st round here in Waco and was very pissed off. Your blog just set me off. Again, sorry for my response.
Foad
Foad,
stop being such a manic depressive!
Super Dave becomes an average 4.5 Joe. Average 4.5 Joe was slaughtered by Alfonso Rodriguez 6-3, 6-1.
Holy shit!Did anyone see that bad ass match between Cohen/Reader and some college boys from Tech?What a match!Cohen/Reader lost 6-4 in the third set.But Reader hit the hardst forehand Ive ever seen!And Cohen is a bad ass as well,also defeating Tim Schuler in the mens open.
nice self post reader
nice self post reader
Reader, I think you should compete in Men's Open. If you are this competitive in Open doubles, you should do well.
Congrats to Gound on making the finals in the 5.0 and congrats to Reader for winning the tourney.
Dinker
Congrats to Tim Green for tanking and getting one step closer to a 4.5 rating next year.
Gound is not a bad player at all, maybe he has brushed on his skills to beat Green.
i can assure you green was not tanking-saw some of that match. thats the dumbest thing ive heard. green lost to gound who played a good tournament.
what club does this Foad guy play out of?
Need to mention Kern here. He played a great match against Greg AND Alfonso.....
Good tournament.
First-Rd Foad
Have some class and do not insult Gound by saying he won by me tanking. Gound out played me on Sunday. He was the better player that day.
Dinker
Foad played in Waco with a badly bruised toe. I saw him pop a dozen Advil pills to bear the pain of playing. Cut the dude some slack for even being out there in the heat, let alone playing with one good leg!
ok Foad. it doesnt matter if you grow three more big toes, you'll still lose
Unfortunately, i know Foad. He always has an excuse for losing, that is why no one cuts him slack for losing.
Let me first say that whoever wrote about mine and Reader's doubles match....thanks. You had very nice things to say. It was a tough one to lose, but a fun match...not without its drama for sure.
Second, congrats to my doubs partner Reader for winning 5.0. Better watch out Thomas...I may enter 5.0 next time.
Last, stop picking on Foad. He is a very cool guy who really doesn't deserve the abuse.
I like your blog though. Very entertaining! Keep it up! And Good luck to all of you in the next tourney.
- Colin Cohen
Yeah I saw that match between Cohen/Reader and some young Texas Tech boys? What a match! I bet their coach is gonna chew their butts for going 6-4 in the 3rd with Cohen/Reader. Great Job guys!
it's funny to see a any top seeded player lose in the the 1st round of two majors.
It's four (4) to be exact!
What does Roger Federer and Foad have in common?
They both haven't won a major this year!
Good to see we have some open guys chiming in. Welcome C Cohen!!! Foad can be a nice guy, and has a decent tennis game, however, his mental toughness gets the best of him every time.
Good win Thomas in Waco. Beating Jason & Henry in the same weekend isn't that easy to do. Wish I could've been out there.
Pat Abshire
Pat Abshire aka Little Agassi Jr. how's it going buddy? Why are you not playing the MZs? We miss you in the circuit! Come back and play tennis. You are fun to watch and hard to beat.
I really wish I could be out there but I've been on the DL since late last year trying to heal all these nagging injuries. I'm taking this year off to heal up. Hopefully I can get back out there in 09.
Pat
Get well soon Pat Ole buddy a.k.a. Little Agassi Jr.
Did you see where Knutson called out Herbert Morton on the league blog. He challenged him to a league match. He also challenged David Guy to play Don Rios.
I say Knutson betas Morton and Guy beats Rios.
Just wanted to say farewell......I am headed back overseas to Embassy life....being a Federal Agent has its drawbacks...! In any event....for everyone that has beaten me or lost to me....it has been awesome playing here in the 4.5's in Houston for two years. Good luck to everyone....! - Brandon
I don't know Foad, but I've seen him playing a friend of mine. He acted like a jerk, that is why he gets ragged on.
Guy will not beat Rios, but it would be a good match to watch. And Knutson beating Morton would have never happened 2 years ago, but Morton looks like he is not playing much.
Red is going to use ringers Adam Kent and Antoine Ford in singles anyway so it wont matter. League is a joke.
Later Brandon...take care and have fun!
"Knutson beating Morton would have never happened 2 years ago.
I beg differ. Knutson would have beaten Morton 2 years ago, unfortunately did never got to play each other then. Good job Kris, and keep up the good work.
Long live "Little Agassi Jr." a.k.a. Pat Abshire...
Herb is a really nice guy and before he got hurt (knee blew out) he was a top 5.0 player. Unfortunateley it is tough for anybody to come back from such an injury.
"such and such" is a nice guy....
This beginning to a comment is always seems to be followed by something negative.
Why all the love for Knutson? The dude played 4.5 every year before he got bumped down to 4.0. He was always somewhere around 15 in the state in 4.5. One win against Schmucker and he's God? He lost to a 4.0 player in the first round of the Coke. Even Jim Wooten, who can't hit two straight balls in the court, beat him earlier this year.
Herb has been number one in the state in 5.0. What has Knutson ever done?
Knutson hypes himself. a few good players might lose to him, because of his style, but who the heck wants to practice against crappy shots.
Amen to that...
Why does Knutson challenge Herb and not me. I say I'll play Knutson for the Whole Team Match. If He Beats me then his team wins that match but if I Beat him then he should stick to tournaments.
Captain vs.Captain for all the Marbles. I hope this match can happen and Kris accepts my challenge because at least this way I can prove that just getting the ball back in play will win you the Match.
Red
Knutson does talk crap all the time. I really thought it was funny how Sanchez destroyed his game in Waco. Its hard for Knutson to play his grinding game now that the heat is here. Noticed he signed up for Tyler and it will be hot up there so I don't see Knutson going far.
Would be funny to see Knutson match up against Zheng in Tyler. Not only would that match be ugly, but it would last 5 + hours.
Journeyman, Knutson vs. Red, lets have a poll. My pick is the left handed player will win!
knutson always talks about himself beating schmucker in the pass. too bad he beat schmucker recently. now everytime you see him, he's going to brag some more.
The other problem with Knutson is that he always wears shirts that quite frankly, just don't look very flattering on him. That and he hits the ball like he is playing a cruel game of ping pong. But most the shirts. And the socks too. Way too high up the knee.
Enough talk about Knutson, Sarosh, and etc. Lets talk about good players me.
Goldberg
PS. I already beat Herb.
I will win Tyler I promise.
Goldberg just because you are the newest ringer on the Hurricanes does not mean you are the best player in 4.5s. I bet Blessing could beat you.
Hey yeah! New poll Blessing vs Goldberg!!!
I'm comment 69!
Brandon-
Are you playing in Al Edwards Juneteenth at the end of the month? If not, then have a safe journey and come back and play tennis soon!
MID YEAR REVIEW......
Yes.....I am playing Al Edwards at the end of the month. I am playing Mens Open since it is my final tournament of my career in Houston.....!!!!
Red, I accept your offer let's play this match. I have nothing to lose. I believe you are the better player but what the heck if the wind, sun, clouds, and etc line up just right perhaps I will get lucky.
I already don't play 4.5 league, I am not good enough. I predict you will win 6-2, 6-2. The next poll should be over and under on the score.
Knutson
Kris would have dodged him but his team lost today. Benzon will find a way to avoid playing this. Both of these guys are over rated.
Herb will play Kris this upcoming weekend and should destroy Knutson in straight sets.
Wow what happen to Nadal he is on fire. i'm sure that no one expected the Drubbing Nadal gave Federer today.
Herb and Kris suck who cares. I want to know if anybody will be A. Rodriguez this year?
amen to that. who cares about herb vs knum-nuts
That wasn't me who put up that posting on June 5th @4:30p, somebody is playing games with me. Plus I know how to spell and to write 2 complete sentences. When did I change from being a good win to a bad loss?
Layoff herb too!
Nadal vs. Knutson, who you think is gonna win that battle? I bet Kris will drive Rafa crazy with that nasty underspin balls coming from both sides. Sorry Kris, but I have to go with Rafa as my pick!
Long live Lord of the Strings, Thomas Reader...
do you think Reader can handle the slice and dice game of Knutson?
I pick either Greg S. or Brian G. will win Tyler.
"do you think Reader can handle the slice and dice game of Knutson?"
Reader will crush Knutson 6-0, 6-0. Nuff said.
Unfortunately Reader the San Antonio Zone always falls during our City Playoffs to see who advances to Sectional playoffs in Dallas. Some of us 4.5s and 5.0 players will not make the trip.
Picks for Tyler MZ:
Men's Open Singles - Adrian Valdez
Men's 5.0 Singles - Jason Gound
Men's 4.5 Singles - J.D. Miles
Men's 4.0 Singles - Forrest Feuille
Now if I only knew the winning numbers for this week's lotto...
Why do you think Miles will win Tyler? Both Knutson and Schmucker both beat him. So I disagree with your pick. Tyler is more of a toss up. Luedkte could be the darkhorse for Tyler.
Reader...I will see you in San Antonio. I will get try to get some other Houston players to attend. You are right...Fort Worth is way too hot.
Dinker
Don't count me out in Tyler. I have a winning record against everyone in the field. I do not know who Chad Holland from Paris Texas is. Other than that I like my chances in singles and doubles.
Since Knutson is the player to beat now days...my quarters are down.
Dinker
lol come one knutson??? at least talk about guys worthy of mentioning....that guy it out of hand, good luck dinker, definately luedkte will win tyler...where is david guy??? Troutmaan??? Sanchez??? Looks like 4.5 is set with year end rankings....5.0 should be interesting
Men's 5.0 is a complete joke. Usually 7 to 8 eight guys playing in the draw. Either play down to 4.5 where actually most of them are rated or play up to Open.
Never understood why so few even bother to waste time in 5.0.
The only 5.0 player that would have a close match with Alfonso is Reader.
Thats funny...last time I checked I was rated 5.0 and I had a close three set match with Alfonso a few years ago at the Coke.
Dibua would also be tough for Alfonso along with Gound, Garg, Smith, and so on.
Alfonso could beat some of these names but they would not be blow-outs.
Dinker
Chad Holland and Joshua McKinley entered mens 25s at Tyler but moved to Mens 5.0s. I guess players can change divisions after they see the entries. Lets hope Schmucker does not figure this out. Just joking Greg.
i have seen alfonso, dinker, reader, garg, smith, gound, manalo, others play a couple of times. alfonso would not only have his hands full with this group, but my somewhat informed guess would be that he would lose comfortably to about 3 of these names and have close matches with the others. just my 3 cents.
seems like alfonso is starting to post about himself....which is the true sign of a 4.5 player. congrats. now we're sure you'd get smoked by these guys--but youre a good player nonetheless. i'd like to see reader vs alfonso--that would be a good match. or dinker versus alfonso.
as long as knutson is in the draw, schmucker will never win another tourney
Only if they are on the same side of the draw...
I would take that bet if Knutson and Schmucker played again. I think Schmucker would win, but it may be close. For one Knutson is not a great mover and does not do well in the heat. Schmucker's fitness and the fact he loves to play in the heat would be Knutson's downfall.
I think both players should be worried about David Luedkte in Tyler.
Dinker I don't think you could beat Alfonso at all today. Few years ago Alfonso was not the player he is today.
I really think the only player in 5.0 that could test him would be Reader
Journeyman guess what?
Lets have a poll between Lord of the Strings aka Thomas Reader and Alfanso Rodriguez!
reader would kill rodriguez. so would about 5 other 5.0's. havent we had this conversation before? just look back at the previous posts from about 2 weeks ago. pretty much everyone chimed in including people who have played the guy. see for yourself.
Chad Holland and Josua Mc will end up playing each other in the first round in Tyler 5.0s. This will keep the others who signed up for 5.0 from playing another match.
yeah but are they good?
Tim Green vs A. Rodriguez what a joke. A-Rod would dismantle the dinker. Tim is just another over rated Dinker. He should have never been bumped to 5.0. He is almost 25 and his best tennis years have past. I will crush the dinker next year in 4.5s. Greg S. could even beat the dinker. In fact I hear Greg destroys the Dinker on a weekly basis.
Tim,
No offense, but the year you lost to Alfonso in 3 sets was the year you were on top of your game and won every other major zone you entered. Alfonso is so much better today than then and you have gotten married and don't play nearly as much tournament tennis as you did then. I respect your confidence but I honestly think only Reader, Garg, and Brian Smith from the 5.0 crop would have a shot at beating Alfonso now. And of the 3, only Brian would be a clear favorite going into the match. Cheer up mate, your still a great player.
urban definition of whinning-
This is what people frequently accuse each other of on the internet to make themselves look dominant, manly, or grown up, due to the fact that they don't actually feel this way in real life. The tactic frequently backfires, however, when the accuser displays his lack of basic grammar skills or lack of knowledge of the caps lock key. THERES WAY TOO MUCH IN HERE....SIGH
Whoever wrote that last blog--youre right except that i think garg and reader would be clear favorites against rodriguez. rodriguez would get overpowered by these guys including smith and probably a couple of others. Omon vs. rodriguez would be a good match. and yes, i agree that tim would have a good match if he plays well. rodriguez is good at the 4.5 level, but you just cant give him the benefit of the doubt (not that I have one) against real players who know the game well.
tim is a 5.0 player. there's checks and balances in the rating and there can't always be good 5.0 players. there has to be some bad players to balance it out.
Dinker is my friend, quit picking on him...
Journeyman, going brain dead here. How about a new thread of fresh thoughts!
Maybe A-Rod should join the pro tour. Watch out Federer and Nadal!
wow this rodriguez guy must be awesome! funny thing he's playing 4.5 tennis. better not quit his day job, whatever that is.
kallus still sucks regardless of how good A-Rod is
Foad could take A-Rod and Reader.
Quick reality check, No fuckin way dude.
DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I am sure Foad thinks so.
A-Rod is a tennis teaching pro
And a teaching pro means that he is good?
if hes a teaching pro thats more pathetic
It should be mandatory that all teaching pros play 5.0 or open. No sandbaggers in 4.5s please.
Dark horse for the Tyler Tournament in 4.5 Mens Singles: Dustin Viktorin.
a teaching pro in houston that is bragging about winning in 4.5 level tournaments is a joke--
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