And Now For Something Completely Different....

Not really, but I always liked that line from Monty Python, back in the good ole days. Before we turn to Tyler talk in a week or so, I think we should focus our efforts and the power of this blog (as if) to make this Green/Moser match happen. Not that there is any bad blood between the two or that the matchup is so compelling it would be a travesty for it not to happen, but just because. There are other matchups I would like to see happen. How about another Schmucker/Knutson showdown? Those are always tight.

Waco Time 2009

Time to start talking up Waco. 5.0, why do you guys even bother? 4.5, 33 guys signed up so that's not too bad. Early predictions, Alejandro Sanchez and Tim Green should be favorites. Once again, there are some names missing from the list that surprise me. Looks like at least a couple of the Houston die-hard tennis junkies have finally gotten tired of being non-factors at these tournaments. All good things eventually run their course. How bout that Federer? And dont' tell me about the altitude or that Nadal was tired and maybe even injured. Don't think Fed will win the French but with him and Novak both given Nadal trouble recently and Murray also playing well, this could be finally be an interesting French Open. What does that have to do with Waco? I think they overlap on the schedule. Best of the Best and the Texas Wanna-Be's all going at it over the same weekend.

Time to get out and work on that Coppertone...CORRECTION - Make that Copperfield tan.

Copperfield time. From the size and quality of the 4.5 draw it looks like this event is much more deservant of MZ status than Corpus was, but so it goes. It seems like a distant memory now, but there was actually a time when the 5.0 draw at this tourney made. Alas, no more. But that just means, the 4.5 guys get to welcome John Patch as a likely full time 4.5 player for the rest of the year. In singles, I will make an early call that Schmucker, Morgan, Kent, and Martinez will be in the mix late in the draw. Can't really call a winner, but would say Kent has a pretty good shot as this is his homecourt tourney. 4.5 doubles? Wow. The Dibuas going against each other for a change should make for an exciting match if their teams should meet. Would have liked to see a Dubuas vs. Dugas showdown, but this will do.

WindFest 2009

Can you hear them winds a blowing? Do you like it? Well, then Corpus is just the tournament for you. Not going to comment much on this one. My early pick for 4.5 winner is Alejandro Sanchez. Moser should make it to semis and maybe even the finals if he comes to net with his major wing span. I am probably short changing someone but I will wait til there is a draw before I go any further. As far as 5.0, I cannot call it. 50/50 toss-up and a shame too because someone will be driving 235 miles to turn around and come home with 1 point. 5.0 has never had much of a draw down in Corpus but this one takes the cake. Only comparable draw I can think of was the Abiline draw of a few years back where Schmucker played against some other guy from Houston in a ABILENE FINAL played in Houston. I assume Reggie and John will at least be making the drive down to Corpus. Anyway, I am sure I will post again when there is an actual draw.

Talk Some More...Gallery Furniture Open Really Will Take Your Money...And Hopefully Give You A T-Shirt That Is Not Too Crappy.

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.

Now you can start talking...

Until we get the actual draws, here is some fodder for discussion. This is my early list of guys to watch in 4.5 at the Gallery, in alphabetical order:

Pat Abshire - drops down after a few year run at 5.0's, mini-Agassi, no particular weapons but one hell of a grinder.

Sarosh Ahmed - good strokes, way too cocky, and armed with the deadliest line-calling in Houston.

Omon Dibua - tennis monster, can't get any ball past this guy when he is at the net, nasty serve too.

Jose Garcia - have heard good things about this guy from the San Antonio MZ in February, probably another strong former junior knocking off the dust.

Tim "Henman" Green - best serve and volleyer in Houston, along with Benson, also the best at working the system...probably has already declared himself the winner.

Wayne Morgan - Already won one MZ this year, strong in 2008 but went down meekly to Moser at Lost Forest in October

Jochen Moser - The Terminator, massive topspin forehand, and will take your head off if you drop your guard at the net. Can he handle so many matches in one weekend?

Alejandro Sanchez - Already won a MZ this year...at 5.0...beating Reader...without much trouble. Keep an eye on this one.

Also good to see that most of the cast of regulars are turning out as well, resulting in a rather decent draw size. Lots of names I don't recognize so please feel free to point out the sandbaggers, ringers, and dark horses that others need to be aware of.

Back later with some 5.0 talk. All 10 words of it.

Journeyman

Too Soon for Gallery Talk

It's too soon for me to start making any Gallery 2009 comments but that last stream is definitely way too long now. I will just leave you guys with this cause I thought it was pretty cool. We don't exactly get a ton of visits to this blog but over the last week we did have people log in from 11 different states and from 3 countries outside of the US, including India. Not bad for a site that spends all its time bashing the same 2 people and praising 1 guy from San Antonio who spends all his time threatening the rest of us. Where is the world headed?