Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Sights Set On Sectionals....Maybe

It is hard to be very excited about the prospect of Sectionals with a hurricane forecast to hit the coast and more than likely drop rain down on Alamo Town but like it or not, sectionals will take place this weekend. Let's start off with the 4.5s. I had to blink a couple of times to make sure I was seeing the right draw because you would think Sectionals would boast the strongest or at least 2nd strongest draw (next to Gallery, aka "The Coke") of the year but that will not be the case. No Alfonso is pretty much the equivalent of no Nadal at the French Open....meaning someone will win this tournament who really doesn't deserve to be Sectional's Champion. And it does look to be a rather wide open draw, especially in the top half. There is probably a dark horse in there I have not heard of, but from the names I know, I do not see a winner coming from this half. From the players listed in this half, I would have to go with Yien Zheng to steady, backboard his way to the finals. Bottom half at least has some degree of fire power with #2 Alejandro Sanches joined by non-seeds Jason Kern, Juan Dekruyff (righty or lefty this time?, who knows), Greg Schmucker (if he has been hitting and if he bothers to show) and Guillermo Del Campo (who is in a rather tough quarter). Haven't seen much of Casas this year so don't know how he has been hitting but I have no doubt he will show up with his usual abundance of flair, gamemanship, and outright bad line calls, so he could always be a factor up to the semis. Taking a wild stab at it, I will go with Alejandro to win over Yien in straight sets in the finals. Though I think this tournament rightfully belongs to Alfonso Rodriguez so I hope he has a good reason for missing it.

5.0s - Wow. Another massive draw. 13 guys this time. I hope the winner can still walk on Monday after all that tennis. How about Brian Smith over Reader in the finals in a repeat of the "The Coke" finals. Also, look for an exciting semi between Amit Garg and Smith in another repeated matchup from "The Coke". Where are you Dibuas? A Dibua or two thrown in the mix would have added a little extra excitement, but oh well, it is what it is. At this point, I am starting to develop more of an interest in 4.0 than 5.0....

But not enough to bother looking at the draw and make a prediction or two. 128 Draw and probably 120 names I have never heard of. Outside my comfort zone to comment.

Open - I wish I knew these guys well enought to comment. Adrian Valdez is always a favorite, as are the Jejede ( I am sure that is misspelled) brothers and that Brian Wooten guy if he plays. Of course, Brian Smith could have also been a factor in Open. Maybe next year he will decide to give these guys a run for their money and let Reader have control of the 5.0s, with a still solid Tim Green nipping at his heels.

Here's to hoping all you guys get the chance to play, and play real tennis at that, not the 2-2, No-add BS that I am sure is already being planned.

57 comments:

Anonymous said...

Journeyman it ain't fun to be injured and playing. Hurricane or no hurricane, I'll be there for the beer kegs. I'll also pack me a wet suit for the rain.

Anonymous said...

I do not know much about the 4.5 or lower draws but I can comment on the 5.0 and Open Draws. My pick would be Brian Smith in the 5.0 but Garg could be tough and if he upsets smith he should win over whoever comes from the top half.

In the open division. How about Daniel Omana to win it. He is very hard to play in singles and has beaten Adrian the last couple times they played. Omana, seeded 8th will definitly have a couple upsets up his sleeve to say the least. Plus hes about 10 years younger than Valdez.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the last post completely--do you teach around the area?

Anonymous said...

Pacheco will win the 4.5s.

Anonymous said...

Tournament decison regarding weather to be decided on 10 a.m.
Thursday.

Anonymous said...

The winner of all divisions is Hurricane IKE……Now that really sucks…

Anonymous said...

Who would win between Alfonso Rodriguez and Hurricane Ike? I go with Alfonso.

If Hurrican Ike played against Jacob Casas, would Casas hook Ike so badly that Ike would go Category 5 on his ass, and if so would Casas even mind?

Anonymous said...

lol....Now that's funny...

Anonymous said...

There is no way sectionals will happen this weekend. Will they try and reschedule it. Being the biggest tournament of teh year. DOes anyone know?

Anonymous said...

It rained at sectionals about four years ago, after getting the Friday matches played, but was never rescheduled. They said it was too hard to reserve all of the necessary courts again. However, as I write this, Ike has veered northward toward Houston/Galveston, so maybe San Antonio will be OK.

Anonymous said...

i think the majority, if not all of the sectionals partipants from the houston area, will likely not be joining in on the tournament this weekend, if it indeed does not get cancelled or rescheduled. people here are too busy getting prepared and getting their families taken care of.

Anonymous said...

If I was from SA or Dallas and Sectionals was to be cancelled because a hurricane was hitting Houston, I guess I would be pretty pissed off about it. Since I am from Houston, I wish it could be postponed because I can't see leaving my family at home to face a hurricane while I go off to play tennis. Looks like I will be forced to pull out.

Anonymous said...

Attention you all:

Tournament Update - RESCHEDULED
Due to Hurricane Ike we are rescheduling Texas Adult Sectionals to Oct. 10 - 12. Tournament entries remain closed. Since the tournament has been rescheduled there will be no refunds. Please let us know, as soon as possible, via email if you need to withdraw. When possible, draws will remain as posted, but may be changed, if necessary, due to withdrawals and site availability. Points for this tournament will still count towards The Masters.

Anonymous said...

Thank you to whoever posted that update from the tournament. I am really glad they are doing this. The people from SATA do a really good job.

Anonymous said...

Be Careful out there fellows, we want you to play this thing next month now you hear...

Anonymous said...

Kallus must like donating his money to the USTA. No reason for him to be playing 4.5

Anonymous said...

What should he play then? 5.0? Open? The computer has him rated 4.5, so if he wants to play tournaments, he has no choice but to play 4.5 or higher, you dumbfuck retard. There are a lot of guys who would be better off at 4.0 if the only measure of success is winning tournaments. But if you win enough at 4.0, eventually you get bumped up to 4.5. Should all those guys just stop playing once that happens? Bring on the Reggie Black should not be playing 5.0 and the Arya Majed should not be playing Open comments while you are at it since both those guys are playing above their official computer rating.

Anonymous said...

Casas is a player that cannot be underestimated when he needs to come up with goods he will. He has been gone for quite some time your right? What happened to him? Has he started his own tennis clothing line? hahahaha

Anonymous said...

its not even going to rain a drop at san antonio

Anonymous said...

Casas starting own Tennis Club, boys only

Anonymous said...

how come theres not a box for who will win sectionals for 4.0 and 3.5???

Anonymous said...

Men 4.0 winner - James Rice
Men 3.5 winner - I don't know

Anonymous said...

FYI,
Houston Fall Festival deadline is Saturday, Sept. 20th so don't forget to sign up!
I hope everyone came back OK from Hurricane Ike's aftermath.

Anonymous said...

FYI, Labor Day tourney in Beaumont at the end of this month has been cancelled due to Hurricane Ike aftermath...Sorry guys.

Anonymous said...

Holy shit, that has to be Lord of the Strings because I believe that last post to officially be the funniest shit I've ever heard!That 's some shit worth reading!Hey journeyman,get #8 a column and I guarantee more life will be brought to this blog!And if #8 is Lord of the Strings,welcome back!Your wit and commentary were sorely missed!

Anonymous said...

Oh my lord...

Anonymous said...

More like "oh my Lord of the Strings"

Anonymous said...

Hey, for all of you who feel the need to constantly bombard this site, with obscenity laced expletives, do us all (who actually care to read this blog for occasional worthwhile tennis content) a favor, by laying off the language. A blog does not become more interesting to check out just because someone isn't ripping someone else a new one every day. Maybe you think this makes you sound more cool, or more intelligent. Trust me, it doesn't. Get a life.

My bet is that an obscenity laced tirade will follow this any minute now.

Anonymous said...

From now on, only "lord of the #8" will be allowed to use profanity without impunity. It seems like anything he writes is praised no matter how shallow and pointlessly crude it is. You are a funny guy, regardless of what name you choose to post under nowadays, but constantly talking about who should be blowing who sounds much more at home on a gay dating site than on a blog that is supposedly focused on tennis.

Anonymous said...

Houston Fall Festival deadline has been extended till Thursday, Sept. 25...BTW, I don't have any problems with #8 comments. Actually they are down right hilarious to be honest with you...

Anonymous said...

A word of advise: Don't pick a bone with Lord of the Strings aka #8 aka Thomas Reader either on the tennis court or off the court...

Anonymous said...

FYI, there were 139 more players signed up for Austin Labor Day tourney (200 pts)than for Houston Fall Festival this weekend. Good luck to everyone at the tournament this weekend.

Anonymous said...

Any ideas as to why so few signed up for the fall tournament in Houston?

Anonymous said...

Two Words: Hurricane Ike

Anonymous said...

So whos gonna win fall festival? draws out? whats the deeelio?

Anonymous said...

I J.R. Pogue am the KING of all Tennis. And I'm sick and tired of these lesser, minor league tallents getting in the way of my success. You guys know who you are,, you'r hanging out in 4.5 and 5.0, with no success to speak of,,,,, well I'm back!!!!! And if you get in my way, I'll crush all you little girly boys.

Pogue out!

Anonymous said...

I am the Knight Rider.

Pogue

Anonymous said...

Journeyman,,,, want to ride in my car?

Anonymous said...

I think the 5.0 draw is clearly one of the weakest in the history of this tournament. The open draw has some good depth for a 32 draw i must say. The 4.5 draw is not bad for a 32 draw as well...

Anonymous said...

"Journeyman,,,, want to ride in my car?"
JR now that's disgusting, I like that...

Anonymous said...

Kallus will ride in your car with you

Anonymous said...

Knutson seeded #1? What a joke! He'll get lucky getting passed Bui.

Anonymous said...

Hey Goldberg!!!!!! I'm making room for you in my car. Hey, you bring the lotion.

Anonymous said...

"Hey Goldberg!!!!!! I'm making room for you in my car. Hey, you bring the lotion."
Pogue if that is you, you are one sick puppy, I like that...

Anonymous said...

First of all, I didn't know you had a car and secondly why are you ragging on me, what did I do wrong?
I don't get in those kinds of cars anyways! Shouldn't you be working anyways instead of writing weak jokes!!!!!! ( see I can use 6exclamation markes too ).

Anonymous said...

saw where Moser was playing again. Is he back living in the states now or is just here temporarily to annoy us

Anonymous said...

Hopefully temporarily to annoy us...

Anonymous said...

"Knutson seeded #1? What a joke! He'll get lucky getting passed Bui."
I agree totally, but with his nasty game of slice and dice he might win this thing afterall!

Anonymous said...

"Kallus will ride in your car with you"
Leave poor Kallus alone, he's my friend.

Anonymous said...

I bet Kallus is happy to Moser back in town. I bet they will share a car with each other.

Anonymous said...

knutson to win the whole thing? now that's funny! knutson's a trash talking chump and won't get pass the first round.

Anonymous said...

my predictions:
men's open: bryan wooten
5.0: rich ryu
4.5: quack bui
4.0: foad anasari

Anonymous said...

Yes knutson does talk a lot of trash. I wonder if he realizes that the points he earns this weekend does not count towards Master's. With that in mind I would not be surprised to see him lose first round.

Anonymous said...

J.R., why are you and Derrick not playing anymore?

Foad

Anonymous said...

That is, with each other!

Foad

Anonymous said...

That is, with each other!

Foad

Anonymous said...

Foad sucks