Yee-Hawhhhh! Round 'em up for Fort Worth.

You wanted a new thread, you got a new thread. Much like the Tyler draw, the Fort Worth 4.5 draw lacks alot of the star fire power. I would honestly have to say at this point I would think the winner will be an unseeded, unknown player. I can't see JD winning and I haven't seen enough of Yien to be convinced he can take a major either, though his backboard style can definitely wear an opponent down in the Fort Worth heat, if the Heat Index rule is not in effect. I hate that rule, and honestly it is the reason that I do not play Fort Worth anymore. If you can't play 3 regular sets in the heat, then stick to your cozy Thursday night league if you ask me. The only seed that I could actually see winning this thing would be Adam Cherry. He is a poor man's Jason Gound and can stay out there all day with his consistent round house shots and "gladiator" never say die attitude.

5.0 should be easy. If Tim Green does not win this one, then he probably is tanking. I hope he does win this, I know he has done well there in the past, though he is not much of a heat warrior. Doesn't really matter when you can count a draw size on your hands and have 2 fingers left over (long way of saying 8 man draw).

Further south, Conroe actually has one of the strongest 4.5 draws it has had in quite some time. Schmucker and Leach should both be at the top of the favorites list. Not sure why Chris picked this drive for 100 points instead of Fort Worth's 400, but to each his own. Good luck to both of those guys at Conroe and to everyone else playing this weekend. Remember to wear lots of sunscreen and try to enjoy the cramping.

I almost forgot, the 4.0 draws....nah, I didn't forget.

Ready to Sweat?

Alamo City just a few days away. A bit of a shift this time around as Master of 4.5 Alfonso Rodriguez steps up to take on the 5.0 crowd, followed by fellow 4.5 Yien Zheng. Zheng will probably make it to the 2nd round and then get a rude send off by Brian Smith. Rodriguez will get a chance to prove his 3 set victory over Tim in 2005 (?) was not a fluke. I think he takes it but I do not see him as a sure thing in that match. I hope he does win the match because a Reader/Rodriguez match up would be extremely compelling. That one I would have to call a push as I have no idea who would emerge as both are very strong players. If you look at how Rodriguez has dominated Trautman this year it is hard to believe that he will not be able to hang with Reader, but I do not mind being wrong as Reader is also a tremendous player. Dibua should face Smith in the other semi and I would definitely have to go with Smith unless he has a problem playing in hot conditions. He seems fit, so probably not. After taking that one, I would assume he then wins the tournament. I wonder how shocked everyone would be, if Alfonso would somehow emerge champion. I can't say that it cannot happen.

4.5s, no Alfonso means that Trautman will have no reason not to show up and play, especially since he lives in San Antonio. Either Juan Dekruyff or Ben Hawkins might be able to give him trouble in the top half, especially Juan, but I think there is just a great a chance that Juan doesn't even show up for the tournament. If he does, watch out for him, he is a very interesting player. I do not know this Gruno guy that is being highly touted. If he can beat Alejandro in the 1st round then he definitely has the potential to take the tournament. If Alejandro takes it, I would pick him to win the entire tournament. A 2nd round match up between Anthony Tatu and Kris Knutson would be an interesting one to witness, especially 2nd match of the day. Should be a war of attrition, though not likely an exhibition of strong fundamental tennis strokes.

As always, I have no opinion on either Open or 4.0. Please fill in the blanks in those draws if you would be so kind.

To all the players with a shot at winner their draws, please don't go crazy on the free beer...you know who you are.