Hit 200 comments so time for fresh post.
Will keep it short. If you like doubles, the 4.5 draw is stacked like mad. Almost every first round match will be interesting. Really good draw. Coin toss as to who emerges the winner.
4.5 Singles - Sticking with Sanchez as winner, though this Lacy guy is getting talked up pretty strong here on the blog.
Open - I will also go with Euvgeny. The guy went deep in qualifying at River Oaks 2 years ago and played qualifying for the U.S. Clay Courts two years ago. He is strong.
5.0 - This may be the least interesting 5.0 draw in years. 5.0 as a level is unfortunately withering away to nothing. Maybe guys like Green will creep back up there if they do not have strong showings at 4.5 this weekend. There are about 10 guys in 4.5 that really should be playing 5.0. Please don't get started on defending your 4.5 status. Your arguments are weak.
Weather - Looks pretty good . At least for Friday. Doesn't look like heat will be much of a factor, but you never know.
Good luck to everyone.
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186 comments:
Hey Journeyman, WTF happened. They changed the Open draw and now Valdez is seeded No.1 and no sign of that Russian Bear. HTA sure knows how to jack us around. I liked what you said about GF really will take your money. LOL.
19 hrs until all hell breaks loose on the courts of Houston!
Seeded players that will lose their first match:
4.5 Singles
Dutchover over Sanchez (1)
Turpen over Moser (4)
Janek over Kallus (11)
Rockey over Green (8)
Saroach over Griffin (16)
Schlensker over Schmucker (13)
Lacy over Sevin (2)
4.0 Singles
Le over Murray (1)
Anyone over Foad (5)
Rice over Yaremenko (16)
What do you think?
Why do people think Saroach is good. He got schooled in league last year.
saroach will lose in first round againt trevino. don't think he'll play griffin. however, if he does, then i think he will beat griffin. salinas will beat janek, so i think salinas will beat kallus. the winner out of that group will mostlikely lose the next round.
the only hyping saroach is himself. he's that arrogant. and he cheats!
Guys, you have no idea how good Omon Dibua is.
That dude has been sad bagging for years in 4.5 league. He stays rated 4.5 by dropping games and even sets against weak players. Still he went undefeated in singles last year at sectionals and city.
His only loss last year came in three sets to 5.5 player Kelly Ward 76 in the third. But since he also wins in three sets over 4.0 players, he remains a 4.5.
Is that true about Omon?
I've seen Everybody play Foad, and it always comes out the same.
James Rice is playing 4.0???
How did he end up there? Appeal?
Would not he be favorite to win 4.0 completely?
omon is definitely good and intimidating. odion and omon has one of the toughest mental games. however, the only way to beat them is to just play your game and hopefully you will win.
YEah, James Rice will roll over some folks in 4.0 div., including whoever is #16 seed.
4.5 Singles
Dutchover over Sanchez (1)---NOT!
Turpen over Moser (4)---NOT!
Janek over Kallus (11)---YEP
Rockey over Green (8)---NOT!
Saroach over Griffin (16)---YEP
Schlensker over Schmucker (13)-YEP
Lacy over Sevin (2)---YEP
Did Janek suddenly get 20 years younger? From what I know, Kallus has beaten Janek at least twice in tournaments and neither was remotely close. Doesn't mean it won't happen, but I definitely would not be putting money down on Janek. Besides, it won't matter cause unless Salinas does not show up, Janek won't be playing Kallus in the 2nd round anyway...though they likely will play in the 1st round of consolation.
I doubt Janek will win against Salinas.
Good point. My money is on Kallus over Janek in the first round of consolation.
'Seeded players that will lose their first match:
4.5 Singles
Dutchover over Sanchez (1)'
Dude what have you been smoking? You have got to be kidding. Sanchez will take him to school and back bud.
4.0 Singles
Le over Murray (1) - Oh Yeah
Anyone over Foad (5)- No, No, No
Rice over Yaremenko (16)- Oh Yeah
schmucker will win consolation.
nuff said!
Funny I think Schmucker will come thru the bottom half.
Schmucker is the most unpredictable player. One week he will lose in the first round. Another he will beat Sanchez and win a major zone.
Has Schmucker ever won a 4.5 major zone?
Yeah Schmucker won Tyler and Ft Worth and I believe is 2-0 against Sanchez as well.
Guess it depends how much he has been playing to get ready for Gallery so who knows.
So,,,, who won the Coke?
Did anyone get the scoop on that pulled testical muscle from Moser?
9:37 PM pulled it.
Salinas is thru to the 3rd round with a 6-2, 6-2 victory of Kallus.
Did Kallus even try? No offense to Salinas, but I can't see him beating Kallus that easily. I think Kallus is back to trying to tank his way down to 4.0s. Or maybe he just sucks.
a combination of the two probalby
Sarosh was beaten. Who says this guy is a 4.5. At best he's only an average 4.5
sa-roach got stomped. all that hype in the past two years and didn't get pass the first rd.
The guy who beat Sarosh is actually a pretty good player who played at the 5.0 level in the Bay area.
he's good like all the rest of the top 4.5 players. saroach is not good enough to compete at the 4.5 level.
Trevino is going to go deep in this tournament. Saroach got a bad draw...
Dutchover got squashed.
Whatever
Well predictions regarding Sevin and Schmucker losing their first rounds were complete BS. Both players are thru to the next round now.
well the prediction with kallus vs. janek is correct.
also the great saroach getting stomped. hahahahahaha
What prediction about Kallus vs. Janek? Kallus won 6-0, 6-3 in their meaningful consolation match. Was someone boldly predicting that they would play? If so, that is really going out on a limb.
Scratch the meaningful. I meant to say meaningless.
Any day one doubles news?
i agree that no-class dickhead has been that way for YEARS and so has the tournament staff. they are complete idiots when compared to staff in other cities. Thats why they frequently get crappy reviews for their tournaments.
Gary sucks but I think the rest of the "volunteers" do a great job, especially considering how big this tournament is.
true, gary is a jackass but the rest are terrific.
How did Sarosh do in consolation?
Saroach was a no show. Didn't matter. He would have been beaten by Griffin anyway.
Are you serious? Griffin lost in straights to Kallus at Fall Fest and you are going to tell me he is a better player than Sarosh? Sarosh is a cheat and he may not be the ringer he was in 4.0s but I would take him over Griffin.
Congrats to Omon, Greg, and Jochen for representing Houston into the quarters.
Griffin runs hot and cold. I've seen him in league play. He may have some bad losses, but when he is playing well he's very tough. You get no rhythm. Not sure if he would have beaten Sarosh. Moot point obviously if Sarosh defaulted
Trevino also won. Trevino vs Bradley should be interesting.
yep, we will found out just how good this bradley is.
Sarosh didn't know about consolation.
Sarosh did win 6 games from Trevino, which is as much as anyone has in this tournament so far. What I'm saying is that his draw sucked and everyone will have to wait for the rest of the tournaments he enters this year to judge his game. That is if he has the balls to put himself on the line again.
Trevino may well win this thing if his fitness holds up
Sarosh didn't know about consolation???? Everyone knows about consolation.
So,,,, who is winning?
Who cares about Sarosh. He sucks and he finally showed up to a real 4.5 tournament and got spanked. Tired of hearing about this guy. Hell he can't even win one round in the tournament.
Congrats to Jochen, Schmucker, and Omon for playing on Sunday. I hope the weather holds up for you guys.
Schmucker will stop Trevino.
I'm pretty sure everyone playing 4.5-5.0 is in agreement that HTA needs to move the 4.5s & 5.0s to a better location next year for the Coke. Homer Ford is one of the crappiest places to play in all of Texas. Nice ladies running it but the site is terrible. This obviously is not a new development. The courts are so bad people were almost breaking ankles just returning serves because of all the slopes & uneven areas. You can't even watch 3/4 of the courts because of the windscreens. Doesn't help that you have half of Houston there partying with the music turned up so loud you can hear it halfway across town.It's hard enough having to deal with the ringers & sandbaggers, we shouldn't have to play against the court too. Come on Houston,fix this. Jeez.
I am impressed with Omon's game and Schmucker's as well. Omon is really playing the net quite well and of course is serving big what I have seen so far. He took down James Bui quite easily. Bui does have a really good one handed backhand.
Schmucker played a long first round match. Other players watching told me he is known for that. I watched Schmucker play Jose who took out Sevin and Schmucker just tore him up with his ground game.
Other Note it sucks that Green had to play a sandbagger today. I was hoping for a Green/Schmucker semifinal, but that will not happen now. Green I feel your pain.
One word. Schmuuuucccckkkkkeeerrrr!!!
glad to see schmucker finally get his game back. he was losing really bad in the previous tourneys. that forehand looks really nice.
Bradley played 4.5 for years in Wisconsin. Maybe Texas tennis is inferior.
Is it true that Charlie Rivera cussed out the USTA official during his doubles loss?
what's wrong with wisconsin... leave wisconsin alone. i met Bradley and he's a cool dude. it does not matter if he's playing 4.5. if that's his rating, then he should be able to play 4.5 and up. if you can't beat him, then you need to step it up and improve your game. men's tennis is always evolving and the getting more competitive. i welcome bradley and the return of odion to 4.5 and looking forward to competing against them in the upcoming summer league. great job, schmucker, moser, and omon, you guys are playing some amazing tennis.
Who is left in the 4.5 doubles draw? The USTA site is not updated.
When you only have 5 players playing in Wisconsin I guess it's pretty easy to rate yourself a 4.5. What a joke. Bradley could play for some D-1 college teams right now. Hope you enjoyed your 15 minutes of shame & ego gratification this weekend. What a pussy. On the other hand, good job Greg (Schmucker) for proving all the naysayers wrong. To all you one shot local wonder ringers, not willing to put it on the line statewide like most of us, see you punks next year. Contrary to what some of you think, the only players anyone respects are the ones who have been willing to travel & put it on the line in many types of environments/conditions, for many years I might add. Anyone can come outta the woodwork & shock the world for 3 days. And don't give me all that BS about "who needs to play statewide to prove themselves". Blah Blah Blah. Just shows how much of a sandbagger you really are by only playing in your back yard & tearing through the draw.
Trevino just beat Bradley. Trevino should also beat Martin del Campo.
Time will tell whether Luedke's fitness holds up.
nobody respects 4.5's period. thats why its 4.5.
kallus sucks
No offense to Bradley because I thought he was a great player but I feel like Omon is head and shoulders above everybody in the draw. I was 5 points away from taking the second set off of Bradley so I'm not going to say he's playing the wrong level. I think he definitely could compete at the 5.0 level because he has a great serve and an outstanding backhand but I'm not ready to call him a sandbagger. Alfonso was much more dominant last year.
I find it amusing that the local sandbaggers whine and cry about outside sandbaggers.
I say let everyone play 4.5 who cares?
Who are the top local sandbaggers?
Bradley is a nice guy. He is a top 4.5.
So, now my question is if people think Trevino is an a-hole, jackass who doesn't belong in 4.5 because he beat Bradley?
Nice to see that all the Bradley worshippers came out in support of him. Doesn't matter that he's a nice guy or not, this isn't a niceness issue. This is about what happens between the lines. If no one cares about 4.5-5.0 & most of them are "losers" then why do all these studs bother even playing at that level? E-g-o g-r-a-t-i-f-i-c-a-t-i-o-n, plain & simple, usually due to poor self-esteem. This has been going on since time began so you don't have to be a genius to figure it out. Watch, as usual, you'll never see these guys playing hardly anything else statewide the rest of the year either (except maybe league) because, on one hand, there's too much pressure to keep winning & on the other, the risk of being red flagged. Dominating at the almighty "Gallery Furniture Houston Open" may pump up your ego (for awhile) but street cred is only really won by being able to do well in the wind of Corpus or the summer heat of Waco, Tyler, or San Antonio (or even in Dallas/Ft Worth for that matter). It's not just about "traveling" per se, it's about putting it on the line in many different conditions. Winning a few matches in Houston every year hardly makes you the almighty. Like one previous poster said, it says even more about how you shouldn't be playing 4.5. This is not solely about guys like Bradley because he's not the only one doing this every year, which is the bigger issue. Ok, now you can return to calling everyone on here losers because that's obviously the only thing you know how to say. At least try to put up a reasonably intelligent argument for your position.
If you're not cheating, you're not trying, right? And let me guess, life is not fair, only the strong survive & the weak deserve what they get, right? Righhhhtttt......
So typical.
Does anyone have the inside scoop why some of the open level matches? Why did Kuczer quit against Whitehead? Why did Pieters retire against Cole when he was up 6:5 in the third?
Look at me, I'm Omon Dibua...
we get it.
i think the only Bradley basher is saroach... cuz his ego got crushed in the first rd. to all bashers of bradley and trevino, these guys are top 4.5 players. being a top 4.5 player is equivilent to being a top 5.0 player also. odion and omon are rated 4.5 also. i believe they are top 4.5 players and top 5.0 players also. stop whining like a little girl saroach and face the fact that you are not a contender in 4.5. by the way, you have a losing record in 4.5 singles.
yes it sounds like someone is bitching to much about Bradley. the guy sounds like a good player, but he didn't even make it to the final. the one complaining must be a 4.0 level wanting to play 4.5
I'm new to Houston and this was my first time playing a tournament in 7 years. I don't think I've ever seen so many people whine and complain about 1 player who didn't even make it to the finals.
To you, Mr. I'm superman and like to talk trash about people you don't even know, STOP being such a little bitch, SHUT-UP and instead of wasting your time typing non-sense, why don't you play some tennis and get better at it so you can compete in 4.5
LMC
I love that answer. "Stop whining and just play more tennis so you can get better and win at 4.5". Cause it really is that easy. Age, the fact that at least 4 or 5 of the guys who play tournaments actually have real jobs, as in careers, not hanging out part time at Tennis Express or teaching on the back court at some lake side golf club, families, etc. I guess everyone who is a legit 4.5 but has a family and a job should just stop playing and leave tournaments for the unemployed, unloved 30 & 40somethings still clinging to the only thing they were probably ever any good at other than pulling on their rod.
I love that answer. "Stop whining and just play more tennis so you can get better and win at 4.5". Cause it really is that easy. Age, the fact that at least 4 or 5 of the guys who play tournaments actually have real jobs, as in careers, not hanging out part time at Tennis Express or teaching on the back court at some lake side golf club, families, etc. I guess everyone who is a legit 4.5 but has a family and a job should just stop playing and leave tournaments for the unemployed, unloved 30 & 40somethings still clinging to the only thing they were probably ever any good at other than pulling on their rod.
Are you that much of a tard? Man this blog has some really stupid people on here. It amazes me how some of you worry about the dumbest crap regarding tennis. Alert it is just a SPORT which none of us make any money off of. Who cares who sandbags, who belongs where. The stupid crap I read on here. Here is some advice perhaps you should find a woman, but I forgot you like playing with you're rod.
That stuff about "respect" and "street cred" and "putting it on the line" by traveling is hilarious. Some guys like Trevino and Bradley just want to play some competitive tennis and sign up for the biggest tournament in the city they live in. Why are you giving them shit for it? Makes no sense.
Dear God, this "laying it on the line" bullshit drama is awesome reading. One suggestion, add a long flight of stairs leading up to a statue with Eye of the Tiger playing in the background just to set the mood more while imagining these WARRIORS (pick your own - Kallus, Foad, Schmucker, Noel or any other traveling badass) running up these miles and miles of stairs.
If only taking vacation days, paying for hotels, meals and leaving your family 5-10 weekends a year actually made you a better player. Yeap, I agree, "respect" pretty much sums it all up.
"Is it true that Charlie Rivera cussed out the USTA official during his doubles loss?"
Really? I guess he's stepping up from cussing out his opponents.
Luedke was playing some of his best singles game this weekend. Fitness is always a factor for a guy who is 50 years old.
He and Guillermo Martin Del Campo have both had decent results in the past, but they sure stepped it up this weekend with dominating victories in the quarter finals.
Are there any women on this blog?
The only woman on here is Mr. Street Cred
Is the gallery (get some practice matches in to tune up for league season) open over yet? Time for the real competition to begin.
To all of you whiners that are off to the next stop on the tour to "lay it on the line" and "test yourself under different conditions" in pursuit of the street cred that can only come from grinding out 4.5 wins in crap locations, see you next year. I think I speak for all the ego-driven local ringers when I say you are heroes and inspirations to us all.
Just be careful not to get any better and blur the line between 4.5 and 5.0. The only thing worse than a sandbagger in your fragile little world is a sandbagging hypocrite. Enjoy Abeline.
i was playing a doubles match on a court near Luedke/Rivera when he went off on the official.
he had already gone off a few times, not at his opponents, but more on himself.
it sounded like he was frustrated with where the official was standing.
i'm unsure as to where the offical was standing, but there was one official there that stood inside the fence behind our court while we were serving. it was a little disturbing, as i've never seen an official do that.
from what I heard, Luedke didn't receive any point deductions, but did receive a warning.
Hey asshole, that's part of the point that the people who travel just want to play some good tennis against legit players in a division, no matter what level it is. As you say, none of us are getting paid to play (unless maybe the few who Red may be paying under the table LOL). Yes, most of us do work, & playing all over IS part of the "enjoyment" factor as to why we play, win or lose. (I'm pretty sure the tournament directors all over Texas appreciate getting our dollars that we didn't have to spend staying there). Obviously it IS all about winning & pumping up fragile egos, otherwise why wouldn't many of these guys not test their ability at Open. Hey everyone, here's a thought, why don't all other cities just cancel their tournaments because the only tournament that matters is the almighty Gallery Furniture Houston Open at lovely Homer Ford Tennis Center.
Amen to that brother...
hahaha, that's just it. The gallery DOESN'T matter. It's just convenient for Houston players. If the top 4.5 "ringers" wanted an ego boost, they WOULD travel all over the place beating up on people in tournaments and chasing that coveted top state NTRP ranking.
The crying that has gone on this weekend is an absolute embarrassment to tournament players. Just go out and try to beat somebody. EVERYONE in the 4.5 draw is rated 4.5 or below. Change the system or improve so you can compete. And you "anonymous" clowns that think it's cool to single out individual players with over the top personal attacks need to get a grip. It's a tennis tournament
I agree. It is pathetic to listen to people whine and complain about ringers and sandbaggers all the time. I guess everyone in the 4.5 quarters were all ringers and sandbaggers and should be playing Open right. Get real!!!!!!
Omon is a legit 4.5 player. Bradley, Trevino and Sarosh are sandbaggers.
That's funny because Oman just won the tourney over Trevino (who beat Bradley) and Sarosh lost first round.
Yep most of the guys playing Open are just 4.5 rated as well. So just play and have fun. Everyone see the great Adrian Valdez lose in Open?
So who won the coke?
saroach is not a sandbagger...period. he is a mediocre 4.5 player. he gets easily beaten in 4.5 singles.
Obviously, its the Schmucker, Foad, Noel, and Kallus that are the whinners. These are the players that use to win 4.5 or 4.0. Now that they cannot win they want to complain or make excuses. They are embarrass that the Saroshes and the Kerns(ex 4.0 player) are better than them.
Here is their lame excuses:
Sandbaggers
I play every tournament, but I have not had time to practice.
If you want to talk about sandbaggers, I will give you a name to think about, MOHIT NILEKANI. As I said a couple of days ago, this guy is playing out of level. He won the Gallery at 3.5 without dropping a set. He also won the Courtyard Classic without dropping a set. Where is the pussy alert patrol?
Congrats to all the winners at this year's Gallery Furniture. Job well done fellows (I wasn't one of them, winner that is). See you all at the next Major Zone stop. Until then, keep bashing each other, include me out! Over & out.
If you have a guy 'MOHIT NILEKANI' that is blowing and going and bagelling everyone at least a set (6-0 that is), dude you need to go up a level and leave these poor guys alone. He definitely doesn't belong in 3.5s if you asked me. Another cockroach is born at Gallery Furniture, right Sarosh.
Kallus is an ex-4.0 and was an ex-3.5 before that. Why should he be embarrassed because Kern gets bumped up, just as he did, and does well? Why should he even give a shit about a guy like Sarosh considering they live in different worlds (league vs. tournament)? It's guys like Green that have a right to complain about someone such as Bradley coming from nowhere and upsetting his chances at winning the Gallery at 4.5.
omon definitely showed that he is mentally tough, surpassing all his close matches.
Mohit Nilekani (3.5)
Michael Pan (4.0)
Omon Dibua (4.5)
Congrats to you all!
O-mom played some great tennis this weekend. I am glad he prevailed despite all those sandbaggers.
Mohit is a low-mid 4.0 player, any mid 4.0 and up would destroy him. Mohit is just a good pusher. The guy Mohit played in the final had much better "game" and actually hit the ball.
to 12:44, it's easy to SAY what a player, sandbagger or not, will do statewide but talk is cheap. & if it's "just a tennis tournament", why sandbag? I guess it's easier to just tell everyone to "improve" or "get better" so they can compete with the almighty you, the shambagger. It's always easier to say YOU are legit than to say someone like Green or Schmucker just needs to get better. They are the benchmark dude. Why because they have put it on the line way more than most have, unlike you one shot wonders. Yea that's it, I'll just raise my game when I'm already playing oughta my mind just to hang. LOL man you are funny dude.
4:58
You must have missed the point. By your own admission, Mohit is a "low to mid-level 4.0 player"
WTF is he doing playing 3.5?
It sounds like 4:58 was agreeing with you by saying Mohit was a 4.0 player.
Just wanted to say congrats to everyone that played in the Gallery Tournament this past weekend. Damn I was reading all the hate on the blog before the tournament regarding who was going to lose first round....sandbaggers all over the place, impending doom for many players competing.....etc Everyone I played were stand up guys Matt Schlensker and Martin Del Campo were especially nice. (Martin played very well against me)
To 3:16 post don't be an idiot. I can care less who I play in a tournament and I do not complain here on this blog who I have to play or for that fact whine or complain. It's all about match ups and how well you can play vs coming out and playing like crap. When I post on this blog believe it or not I actually sign off with my name screw that anonymous garbage.
Again congrats to everyone it was fun and yes Jochen there is nothing wrong standing 10 - 15 feet behind the baseline in a rally. I can teach you how to do that.
=)
Schmucker
Hey 5:00,Please stop with the "laying it on the line" stuff. You aren't fighting crime- you're playing tennis.
Hi, I'm actually Ted Bradley and I had a great time playing this weekend against everyone and I met a lot of really nice folks. As I'm new to Houston and Texas, this was an awesome way for me to meet a bunch of new people.
Anyways, I guess I'm a legend on this board and I didn't even know it. I think this boards are hilarious and I will definately be posting and lurking on here in the future. Thanks to Sean and Omon for showing me the boards.
As for everyone that thought I was a huge sandbagger, I guess I proved my own incompetence on the tennis court in the quarters against Trevino (great player by the way). I don't really feel a need to defend my USTA rating as it is the rating that they have given me, not the rating I have given myself.
If anyone wants to play or even just hit, I'm playing at Westside a lot and would love to play any time. I'm sure I'll see many of you in league and others again at tournaments.
Ted
Schmucker is right. Its all about match ups on a given day, and who happens to be playing well that day. Anyone who plays tennis at 4.5 should know that some days you play great, sometimes average, and sometimes like crap. I think it must be a lot of fun to travel around the state putting it on the line. At the same time there is absolutely nothing wrong with coming out once a year for the Coke and doing well. It did not seem obvious that there was a ridiculous difference between the alleged sandbaggers and the usual top 4.5's.
Welcome to Houston Tennis Ted!
Ted is a good player and will help Westside make 4.5 alot more interesting but, he is not unbeatable by no means. I'd love to see him Omon and him play though. It may be 3 Tiebreakers going either way. Good Tournament Ted. Good Job Omon on winning the Tournament. Why doesn't Odion play 4.5 singles tournaments?
Hello ! I am Mohit ! I am Davis Cup player from Dubai ! In American I am winning many pretty trophys. People in Houston...are how do you say...Pussy ? I will win many more nice trophy to take home with me. Thank you much very.
Ted and Sean, you guys are in the same div. Omon and Odion. looks like your teams will meet twice. fireworks fireworks fireworks. sorry for the league post on this tourney blog.
by the way... as long as that saroach loses, i'm fine with that. that arrogant dude needs to realize that he is not a 4.5 contender
correction: they changed it... you will meet them at the city playoffs if your team makes it.
To the last poster on Bradley and Lacy being at the same level as Omon/Odion. I mean that is going out on a limb with that statement. Lacy is not at the level of either Omon or Odion in singles for sure. Bradley/Lacy lost in the quarters to 2 singles players. Bradley and Lacy will be good 4.5 players but Odion and Omon will have more impact in Tournament/League 4.5 events this year.
The 4.5 doubles final was a great match under the lights.
Does anyone know who won the Men's Open between D. Whitehead (3) vs. R. Collins (4)?
Rob Collins won.
Good luck to all of you who actually bother to play anywhere else the rest of the year, now that all the one hit wonders have gotten their ego stroke for the year outta the way. LOL
This is a public service announcement for all you newcomers/neophytes etc who have this deer in the headlights look about seeing all the ringers at tournaments, who may not get it. Take it from someone who's been dealing with all this forever. Most players who are good enough to play 5.0 (& Open) for that matter, don't because for them it's all about USTA League & trying to win the holy grail (for them) at 4.5, which is a national championship. That's why most of them couldn't give a rat's ass about playing statewide. That's just more chance for them to be exposed & possibly bumped up which is like a death sentence because there are hardly no 5.0 leagues around & it's twice as hard to do well there at sectionals. Most of these players obviously are from the bigger cities where they have plenty of good comp around, so they don't need to travel to get good practice. For the rest, it's more about state ranking & winning Major Zones, &/or to just get good practice for what they will face at league sectionals. That's where they get the most satisfaction. For some others it's just about playing/meeting as many different people across the state win or lose & challenging themselves. And why legit players at a level have to keep dealing with ringers is because there are always a few players "passing through" a division & a few others who know that they probably won't get bumped based on statewide results, so they stay & get "practice" for league play & the quest for the holy grail (we all know them as sandbaggers, ringers, trophy hunters, ego jerks, you name it. Those of us who have been dealing with them for a long time just call them the usual assholes. & they usually know who they are by now. LOL Anyway for what it's worth now you know.
If I gave out a "post of the day" award, the last post would be today's winner. This guy gets it. This blog is for tournament players and that kind of implies the kind of guys that 1)care much more about tourneys than league and 2)play lots of tournaments not just the Gallery. I myself don't buy in to the logic that "if you don't like losing to sandbaggers, then practice more and get better so you can beat them." If you can do that you should, but then you should be playing them at the appropriate higher level as you would no longer be a 4.5 either. Is 4.5 a birth rite for some of these guys? Maybe I should check my certificate and make sure I did not miss the fact that I had a free pass to spank up on 3.5s all my life if I felt so inclined. JM
Why all the complaining about ringers? A lot of the 4.5 Major Zones are won by guys that don't play a single other tournament. See Tyler/Ft Worth last year.
To the 3:16 poster, you haven't heard me whining about any of the players in the Gallery. I was in fact defending Bradley from the sandbagger claims. Obviously I think there are people playing below the level they should be playing but that is something that I'm used to in almost 10 years of playing tournaments and I usually play competitively with them. Do I understand why guys want to play below level and win? No. Maybe if I practice more I will catch up to them. :)
By the way Journeyman, the Dallas blog has turned into a blog for registered posters only. The quality of discussion has already improved considerably and should be even better since our local leagues are beginning this weekend.
You should consider the same for this blog after all of last week's personal attacks.
I agree as well. Too many people on here just hide behind their computers and attack other players for no reason. It gets old coming to this blog and reading personal attacks on so many different players. Seems like a lot of jealous players out there.
Patrick Chase
Congratulations to all the players that made it to the final rounds of the Gallery Furniture Open!
The blog is very entertaining. The vicious or $%#$ personal attacks are definitely inappropriate. If someone doesn't want to sign their name on criticisms, their commments have a little less value.
I've been playing 4.5 league and tournaments off and on for longer than many of the current players.
It's admirable when the strong 4.0 guys decide to play up in the 4.5 draws or league. Too bad the top 4.5 guys don't play up in the 5.0 level. The USTA league needs to routinely push the top 10% or 15% up into the next level each year.
There's probably about 10 guys in the recent Gallery Furniture tournament that should be playing in 5.0 or age divisions.
I enjoyed catching up with many of the guys this weekend. I need to play a few more tournaments this year so a few of you learn how to play against an old hacker styled player like me.
Best regards,
Mike Salinas
P.S. Copperfield Racquet Club needs a few more of you 4.5 and 5.0 singles players to join the club. We're getting a little top heavy on doubles players. LOL...
If a player self rates lower than they should and dominates everyone they play, can the USTA force them to move up that year or do they just have free reign to destroy everyone that year?
Each NTRP Level is followed by a letter code indicating the type of rating. The following identifies who can and cannot be dynamically disqualified:
Who CANNOT be dynamically disqualified based on three strikes;
NTRP level followed by
C (computer players)
B (Benchmark players)
Those who CAN be dynamically disqualified based on three strikes:
NTRP level followed by
A (Appealed-all granted appeals)
S (Self-rated players)
M (Mixed exclusive players)
T (Tournament exclusive players)
D (Dynamic rated players)
Therefore, if a self-rated player goes out and dominates during a season OR playoffs, they can be disqualified.
Lance Loken
under any ratings system, kallus sucks
Journeyman, nice to see you get it too. Like you said, this IS a blog for tournament players, last time I checked, so hopefully all these league worshippers will stop trying to defend their ego trips & let the rest of us who actually do care about playing honorable tournament tennis, get back to doing that. I still find it amusing :/ that the rest of us mere mortals are now required by the baggers to improve our already maxed out games, as if we can take it to another level at will. (like they obviously can) All this, just so we can be able to compete at our actual levels, and legitimize their antics. So typical of arrogant spoiled wusses. 10:16
Who would win between Mohit and Kallus?
Kallus will destroy Mohit 6-1, 6-1.
I disagree. Mohit does not have the same power as Kallus but he is more consistent. Plus, Kallus would become irritated and distracted by Mohit's cheering section and by Mohit bellowing "COME ON" every time he hits a winner.
Sorry my bad, just mention to Kallus 'oh it's a windy day toady, don't you think' and he will self destruct.
To be fair, I have hit with Kallus a few times over the past few months and he didn't really complain about the wind at all. The last time it was actually quite windy and he beat me. I guess that really doesn't matter since your point is only to insult him and not add anything constructive.
Yeah the attacks on Kallus are getting old. Leave the man alone. Tennis is not his focal point in life anymore spending time with his wife and daughters is more important than playing tennis.
Guess Kallus must of beaten you bad since all you do is attack him. Seek some therapy and perhaps once again you too can enjoy life again.
I'm gonna go see Dr. Phil.
I am the poster from 10:21 and I agree that the attacks on Kallus are unwarranted and the anon that keeps posting "Kallus sucks" is a juvenile idiot. I think Kallus is a nice guy and a good player. However, I stand by prediction that Mohit would beat him and I do think that Mohit's cheering section and shout outs would be annoying to not just Kallus, but a lot of players.
Not sure why Kallus did so poorly at the Gallery but from what I know, he actually had been playing better now that he plays less and it seemed that most of the mental issues were not as big, other than net height of course. Maybe caring less about tennis will be a good thing for him when he is out on the court.
This is a public service announcement for all of you. Today is April 15, TAX DAY. So stop hitting those forehands & backhands and go on and finish your taxes.
I've played Kallus a few times and he is a really cool guy. Friendly and respectful. And he's a really good player who obviously loves tennis.
Some one tell that 'Mohit' guy to go on and sign up for a 4.0 Major Zone and take a crack at those 4.0 boys. It will be interesting to see how well he does in a level that is more suited to his ability. Kallus is playing 4.5s and I don’t think this dude is gonna take the bate and sign up for one any time soon.
Who won the coke/
Coke Champs
4.0 singles -- Pan beat Enting
4.0 doubles -- Morris/Price beat Brouer/Robinson
4.5 singles -- Omon Dibua beat Juan Trevino
4.5 doubles -- Vernon/Mills beat Dibua/Martinez
And in 3.5 some sandbagger named Mojito or something won.
Good luck to all of you heading down to tackle the wind in a few days. All 5 of you. LOL. No seriously, good luck. Corpus is one of the toughest places to play by far. All you local couch sitters who suddenly "work all the time" & have more important things to do", than travel, wouldn't know that, now would you. Oh I forgot, you have league, my bad, sorry. LOL
maybe some people don't want to leave their family, drive all the way there and stay at a hotel all weekend to play in high winds against someone that lives 15 minutes from their house in houston. then again, maybe they aren't willing to PUT IT ON THE LINE.
most people who play tourneys are fine and just enjoy it but this hatred for people that like to play events that are local and play league for the competition and convenience is laughable. get over yourselves
No hatred towards exclusive league play, just a little chiding in the spirit of this blog. Lord knows tournament players have taken plenty of beatings on here from the league titans (in search of the holy grail) who do all tournament players an apparent "favor" by not wreaking havoc on our humble draws (except for the coke of course). Much appreciated. We can all coexist, it's ok. LOL
Corpus Christi, the sandbagger-free major zone.
Who's gonna win Corpus Christi???
Don't forget, Corpus Christi deadline is today!
So,,,,, who won at Corpus?
I'll let you know as soon as the tourney is finished next month!
My pick to win the 4.5 doubles at Corpus Christi....
Arringdale / Miller
Dugas, congrats on winning one round at the Coke. Do you still think you should have played in the Masters?
OUCH, that hurts...
The Corpus Christi tournament director is accepting entries by email until tonight.
We lost the quarterfinal match against Frankeny and Quach because they never gave up, and I commend them for that. They stuck around after being down a set and 2-5, and they simply hit more shots. In the end, they had the momentum to carry them through the 3rd set.
Is it a match that we should have won? Yes. BTW, the next major zone we plan on playing is Waco, so we'll see you guys there.
That's cool Dugas.
Hey JM, here's my good deed for a day. Free Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Cone (today only).
http://www.benandjerrys.com/scoop-shops/feature/free-cone-day/
Moser, Morton, Griffin, that's it? No other H-Town 4.5's going to Corpus this year? Where are the usual die hards?
Griffin, welcome to the Tour of Texas!
I'm in search of the ‘Holy Grail’ in Corpus Christi. So to all you 4.5 wanna be, watch out here I come.
thanks for the warning, otherwise we wouldn't know to watch out for you, because we don't know who you are....
guess i'll watch out for everyone.
Yeah I am surprised Kallus, Schmucker, Goldberg, and Green are not going to Corpus as well. Funny though the only two guys signed up for 5.0 are both from Houston, but it doesn't look like it will make.
You only need 2 players in a Major Zone to make a draw. One of them, J. Patch will go home with 400 pts. and the other one R. Black will go home with 1 pt. for just showing up. lol
2009 Corpus Christi Picks,
Men's Open - Amit Garg
Men's 5.0 - John Patch
Men's 4.5 - Alejandro Sanchez
Men's 4.0 - Tuyen Nguyen
Men's 3.5 - Scott Canann
Nuff said.
Once again, 'LOTS' had unloaded. Long Live Lord of the Strings, Thomas Reader.
What would happen if only one of the two guys in the 5.0 draw shows up? Would the winner get any points?
The Corpus Christi wind should favor Reggie's serve-and-volley style.
Nah, it's Patchy all the way in 5.0s baby.
Lord of the Strings,
Obviously the sarcasm was lost on you there...Sorry to get you so fired up.
Ted
LOTS is a has been....just like Kevin Federline
At least Federline got to bang Britney Spears. LOTS is paying for it on Craigslist.
lol....good one....
Ted,
This message board and the person running it are trash. There are only about 5 people who actually post on this shitty site (always anonymous and always bad-mouthing the same handful of people). It's not informative anymore. You are a nice guy so I recommend you should just stay away.
Bradley vs.LOTS. Who would win?
LOTS d. Bradley 6-4, 6-3
To 12:29,
I assume then that you are not a nice guy since you tell Ted to stay away yet here you are posting on the site yourself...and anonymously at that. Kinda hypocritical, isn't it? Freedom of speech obviously reigns here so feel free to take whatever jabs you feel necessary. For what it is worth, there are actually north of 30 guys that would qualify as regular posters. You are right in that there are 5 that would qualify as extremely high volume posters. Before you ask, I am not privy to their names, I am only able to track that they come from unique IP addresses. Again, that is 30 regular posters, the actual number of unique visitors is much higher but a large portion of visitors choose to never comment.
JM is cool.
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