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Review
The summer has begun....... With the
Summerlin Junior tennis
tournament, a number of novice tournaments at Sunset park, Lorenzi park
and Desert Palms Tennis club, along with the Nevada Tennis Associations
ATI Easter Circuit,
Agassi Foundation's
Muterspaw championships,
With TPC's tournament bringing Juniors and adults together, Spanish trails mixed doubles (during the week June 3rd), Monte Carlo's morning clinics and prize giving tournament, Lorenzi's classic and Rock and Roll Tennis, Sports club indoor and outdoor events , Desert Palms Tournaments, Nevada Tennis Associations league and Saturday programs and the unique pick up tennis environment at Baskin Park "Tennis Club", of which I am a member, the creative juices are flowing. The key to life is when a person is led to do something you do it. You don't "Think" about it, delay it, or "Do it later." You do it now. If anything the charity events have showed some of us, as games are played in honor of those who's lives here are no longer, is ..........that life is now, to be lived, not delayed , but, embraced. And that is the spirit in which this web site was created. One day I knew I was led to make a web site. And although there were "Thoughts" of why I should not do it at all, or why I should "Do it later", I did what I was led to do, and that is what makes life meaningful. When you are led to do something, do it. When you are led to go to the net then "Thoughts" try and get you to hesitate, you move forward, taking the volley in mid air. Whether it is a tournament you are led to run, with a new feature, or an early morning tennis clinic, or what ever you are led to do.....the choice in life is to "Do it" or to "Doubt it." And the choice is yours. Your call. Let the games continue....... The Tournament of Details Darling 9th annual Charity tournament I am in the middle of going through the video footage and exporting photos to put on this site, and time and time again I notice the number of details to this tournament. Whether it be the food items, bottled water out before and after matches, the various flower arrangements placed throughout the tournament and of course the many aspects of the tournament party from the raffle, silent auction, the band, the photos by Larry Hanna Photography, and of course the video from AHonestVideo.com (which owns and runs this web site VegasTennis.com). The team of volunteers, all of which were given special aprons, hats and shirts for this event all seem to have the attitude that they are running this tournament, putting into it the same care as if it were their own. And this is as it should be. It is obvious the attitude in putting this tournament together has not been one of having done it before, but as if this were the first year, still fresh with intuitive minds and ideas, all on display each time you notice one of these details. The best Team effort is through individual achievement. And in observing individuals taking the initiative to follow their own intuition and excel they simultaneously have contributed to a great "Team" effort. Below is a day by day review of the various details, scores, and commentary on the tournaments doubles, singles, mixed and tournament party. In addition I would like to say the Club Sport Green Valley runs a professional facility while maintaining the right kind of atmosphere that seems to facilitate a wonderful experience for tournament players. From the towel service to the perfectly placed window views of courts it is obvious the person who built this facility knew what they were doing and those who manage it have not gone stale, but instead are innovative and on the cutting edge of facility management. They allowed the tournament staff to blend into the facility giving them full rein of their pro shop and courts. The staff played and participated in all the events and in many cases thrived. Well done. The scheduling of courts seemed to go without a hitch. Only a few players were caught up in the false notion that a few minute delay was a "Bad thing." Those who complained may have also complained that they did not get enough rest between matches. I say, the delay was an unplanned rest..enjoy it. Either you are a person who complains and blames or a person who allows neither to enter your world. It is each individuals choice. In this huge tournament with about 600 entries, courts were available and all went extremely smoothly. Never once did I see an impatient committee member "Fed up" with their duties. They kept up their five star treatment of the players and attention to detail up until the last picture of the last match. In addition, the scores were updated online daily in record speed, faster then any tournament I have covered. Note: Each person that is mentioned in any VegasTennis.com article is given a free web page. When you click their name you are taken to their page. On that page are links or copy's of other articles they have been in. On the "VegasTennis DRUDGEREPORT" there is a listing of every Las Vegas player or person who has been mentioned in articles, broken down by skill level. Every person gets the free web page and can e-mail me with anything they would like placed onto their free page. Click here for more information. Here is the day by day review of the event.
Darling..... The first day Doubles Only
Darling 9th Annual Charity Tournament Begins... Friday night at Sports Club Green Valley...This was a family affair, with wives, brothers, cousins, father & son, mother & son, husband and wife and brothers joining together to play tennis,... doubles. With the wind in full gear and the full moon shining bright, it was a beautiful afternoon and early evening for tennis, although much of the play was indoors at the Sports club green valley. There was a large crowd on hand of local tennis fans, here to watch and play. There were some great three set matches, notably the sisters in red and Blue Holly Bland and Kim Springer (sisters) who fought back to win the third set of a very close match. Kim's husband Michael was also in play and won his doubles match. But the girls who lost this 3 set match were satisfied having played in their first tournament since moving up to the 3.5 level, and giving these girls such a run for their money. Last night Nancy Hsu and Gale beat the number three seed. And tonight they made their opponents work for the win. Gale's husband and son, both named Frankiln Starnes, also played doubles in the men's 4.5. They did not win but "Earned their (opponents) respect" out there. Handling the courts and details of play was Douglass Verhaalen and his wife, the Nevada Tennis associations Frankie Verhaalen, and her two children who made sure the data was entered into Tennisinformation.com so you and I can see the results up to the minute. This tournament has been stellar in having this information online almost immediately, which means the entering of every score then uploading it to the net. Click here to see the draw and results. Also there was her husband Douglas Verhaalen who was playing in the 4.0 doubles with partner Marvin Watkins. Mathew Mullin, her son is also the tournament Chairman, along with being an open doubles player, who , with his partner and tournament volunteer Dean Doria, beat the dream team combination of Nationally ranked Junior player Cameron Parker and Red Rock Country club's tennis pro Benjamin Coates in a three set , excellent match.
The other "Dream Team" of open players included...The Rideout brothers, Zack and Micah shocked one of Las Vegas's best players Lew Deleon and partner Dean Stavri. Micah was the Lorenzi open champion this year and came in second for the Spanish trail tournament. Lew was last falls Spanish trail tournament champion and is ranked number one in the intermountain section of boys 18 and under. But today the brothers out maneuvered the powerful duo of Lew and Dean. But what was remarkable was the lack of distress on the faces of the two young men. One would have thought they won by the way they carried themselves after the game. This is the kind of attitude that makes tennis a "Gentlemen's game." Next was Red Rock Country Clubs Ben Coates and his protégé Cameron Parker, who was the State of Nevada high school champion last year and who has been edging his way up the Junior tennis rankings for some time now. This duo of speed and finesse came up against the power of one Dean Doria and his partner and tournament Chairman Matthew Mullin , who's serves were overwhelming. But this did not stop some great put away's by Cameron and some incredibly smooth finesse shots by Ben. But in the end, this 3 set match was settled by a break. After Cameron and Ben came back in the second set to win the tie breaker, they were unable to keep that stride the whole way. Dean and Mathew's power won the day, and this center court match was worthy of it's billing. Other matches played off court were Misha Yevtich and his partner Nenad Zivkovic, who are both Tennis Professionals at the Monte Carlo Tennis Club and Resort defeated Summerlin's Gordon Hammond and his partner Steve Landen. Misha and his partner went all the way to the finals and were the Stacey Darling Charity tournament Open Champions for this year 2002. On Thursday Kris Penny and Steve Spelman moved forward in 4.0 Men's doubles defeating Greg Byers and Mark Mummey 6-4, 7-6 in round one. Not to mention, while to me the Spanish Trail tournament has always shown itself to be the most creative and innovative, and the Summerlin Tournament shined in regards to the interaction between Gordon and the players , and Red Rock Country Club with some of the best facility's in the city, especially it's center court, and Bally's for it's novel idea of being one of the few tournaments in the winter with a basket full of give-a-ways, the Darling tournament by far has the best Give-a-ways with a fleece jacket and t-shirt for everyone that joins, along with a free hat for those who signed up before March 25th. And it seems like the Tennis community has responded with a huge turn out. Saturday night is the party from 6-10, with a silent auction. The Party A band, food, desert, liquor, raffle, silent auction ..kids ..family's ...young ..older ... volunteers ...players ...coaches ...and the Club Sports Green Valley staff all came together to have the largest Tennis tournament party of the year. Just the volunteers alone could have been enough people to have a party. It was all out with flower arrangements, a variety of raffle and silent auction items, balloons and decorated tables, along with aprons and shirts for the Volunteer chefs. A lot obviously went into this party and a lot of people showed up to interact with other local tennis players and their family's. Some danced, some ate, and some talked. I video taped and Larry Hanna took pictures. I left at eight so I don't know if I won the auction. But I was told I would not have to be there to win and that the numbers will be listed.
Who won? Based on what criteria do you base your decision? I witnessed a few men last weekend that looked as if they won, and I had assumed they had when I saw how they looked. When I asked them the score it was apparent, they lost the match. But my assumption was right, they had won. Because the game we are all playing in is life, and the choice in life is to be in awareness doing what you know is right or to be lost in the realm of "Worry's", "Upset" and conflict. The game is simple. Stay aware and do what you know is right then you feel right, in all you do. Then when you are on the court or at home you have a built in patience with what takes place. On any given day a player can win or lose in regards to points, but you can control how you handle your own self in these circumstances. And those who hand them selves over to frustration and anger have lost. While those who are even keel and focused in what they do have won. Because the push, or "Thoughts" to get upset or bicker comes to everyone. Some give in and quit, while others let it pass. To me the hero, or the winner is not the person who hits the greatest tennis shot or shoots the best hoop. But the person who does what he knows is right and maintains a sense of dignity and composure. This is not to say one has won while carrying a ball of repressed frustration inside them. You win when you let go of the thoughts that have offered you the justifications for your anger. You lose when you don't, whether you show it outwardly or not. There is no trophy for the person who gets upset but never shows it on the outside. The cup goes to the person who overcomes it and lets it go. I saw a great match today where some ladies were playing and the person who won the match in points had also won the match within. She explained how she was being bombarded with "Thoughts" about her wrist and "Thoughts" about her poor play, as she had hit a number of balls in the net. But by choosing to come out of this mental stupor and play, the second set she played wonderful and went on to win the match and the tournament for her category. This is not to say that everyone who overcomes this push to be overwhelmed will always win. Many times a person of sound character loses to a player who chooses to be the channel of frustration and poor behavior. But at the end of the day when you turn your lights out and rest on that pillow, that is when the score is tallied. Those who do what they know is right, through out their day feel right or content. Those who request the fuel of anger by giving into it, eventually pay it's toll. It's like going to the mafia for money. You may get your cash, but that is not all you get. All in all, this tournament was filled with persons who's faces had that of just winning, although the score may not have reflected that. Some how they have seen that the real game is more then the few you play on the court, but an ongoing championship with yourself. Ryan VegasTennis.com Note: Anyone is welcome to submit any commentary to be posted on this site. ===================================================================== Comments from web site visitors: Comment : "My partner and I won the Stacy Darling 2.5 Doubles Championships (I'm Mila Ortiz and my partner is Richie Jenkins). Anyway, we just wanted to say that it was really fun to have Ryan around taking "video highlights" of the tournament - it made us all feel special and it was a lot of fun. Thanks!" Answer : It is my pleasure to take the video highlights and to put this web site together. Life is a joy when you follow your intuition and see where it takes you. Enjoy the site. The video highlights are now in the editing process which takes some time but I am putting up a few pictures for now. To be notified of when the other pictures and Video highlights are ready, e-mail me your e-mail address by clicking here. Question: When will the pictures and Video be Ready? Answer: There are two sets of pictures. The first are those taken by Larry Hanna and George Verhaalen. Larry said these pictures will be available to view and pick up at the singles tournament the week of April 29th. The second set are the ones I took with my video camera. I am putting up a few of the pictures now, but most of them will not be up until I edit the video, which takes some time. I have to upload the video onto the computer, fully edit it and there are other productions other then this tournament to do. If you watch the other videos you will see that the video productions are in depth and fully edited. If you want to be notified when the video and pictures are ready to view online submit your e-mail address and name in the "Quickmailer" form at the bottom of this page or Click here to e-mail it to me. =================================================================== Score winners Monte Carlo Tennis Club Pro's win Open Doubles
14 of the best players in the Las Vegas
Valley, along with players from Utah and California, competed in the
men's open doubles for the Stacey Darling open title and cash prize of
$450.00. The runner up gets
I will say the loss was not evident on the face of Brian Battistone and his partner, and this "Leave it behind you" attitude will fair well for them on the tour. The tournament open final was professionally done, fully catered with food and beverages. Tournament referee was David Sanders, overlooking the match from the chair, calling the score after each point, making solid and consistent calls. All in all it was a perfect day for tennis and a number of people agreed as many showed up court side to watch this match and some other finals that took place during the day. One final that was filled with spectators was the woman's 3.0 final, and they were not let down as this match was a three set dual. After losing the first set 3-6, Janet Spelman and Shelleye Warner came back to win a very close second set 7-5, then the whole match by winning the third set 6-3. From what I was told this was a great match that was no easy win. Eva Piorkowski and Robin Segesta took second place. 4.5 Reunion One match that stood out to me during this tournament did so not because of the stellar play but because of the spirit in which it was played. The participants, Franklin Starnes and his son Franklin Starnes, when asked who they were going to play told me they had no idea. It was 15 minutes before their match and they had not checked the draw yet. They were not focused on that, or concerned. And at the end when they had lost their first match 6-3, 6-3 they still had the grins on their faces I had seen prior to playing. "We gained their respect", the son is quoted as saying and the father commenting on how it went well. They lost 6-3, 6-3. It was if they had said, "I am here to spend time with my son and that is the joy of it." and "I am here to spend time with my father and this is everything to me" They never said those words but each time I saw them together at the party, before and after their match, that is what I heard. "I am here with my Dad." the young Franklin 'spoke with his proud gestures of grabbing his father to pose for pictures. The young man looked like he was twelve to me, once again proud and wanting to be around his father, perhaps the same father who, in the past he would blow off for his friends. It was not about the tennis. There is always something more significant there. All one has to do is open themselves up to experience it. Another great match was 2.5 doubles finalist winners Richie Jenkins and Ada Ortiz of TEAM YMCA defeating Chris Mason and Judy Rambaud in a two set win 6-4, 6-4. To get to this finals Richie and Ada had a long 3 set match against Kim Fetterley and Michelle Gushard. After losing the first set to them 5-7, they came back and won the next two 6-4, 6-4. At the end when pictures were taken the ladies showed appreciation to their coach from the YMCA by insisting on his inclusion in their finalist winners picture. He was there through out the whole tournament to watch and support the ladies as they took home the prize. Marathon match The woman's 3.5 Finals between Rumi Carl and Jennifer Petrie vs Susan Kostrinsky and Lisa Taylor was a long 3 set battle played at the Darling residence. And this was after both teams had 2 three set matches the day before. To get to the finals Susan and Lisa played Holly Bland and Kim Springer (who are sisters, and kim is Michael Springer's wife, he won the 4.5 men's doubles) The first set went to the sisters 6-7(5) in a tie breaker and the second set went to Susan and Lisa 6-2. The final set was decided in a tie breaker with Lisa and Susan securing their place in the finals match by winning 7-6(3). Rumi and Jennifer got to the finals by defeating Linda O'Keefe and Carol Spelman in the semifinals. They lost the first set in a tie breaker, then came back to win the last two sets with less trouble, 6-2, 6-3. And in the finals they won the first set 6-2, lost the second, 4-6 and then won the third in a tie breaker 7-6(6). It could not have been any closer. Men's 4.0 finals in two 6-4, 7-6 Christopher Benyo and partner Mark Bowman won the first set then came back after being down in the tie breaker to win the match and the 4.0 finals on Sunday against Roger Laubscher and his partner Jeff Ramsey. Christopher and Mark had beaten the number one seed in the quarterfinals and won a three set match in the semifinals to reach their final destination. First year 4.0 wins 4.5 doubles Fitness trainer Michael Springer and 4.5 player Roberto Aguilar won the men's 4.5 doubles in a three set match against Charles Farber and former UNLV tennis player George Morrissey . They won the first set 6-3, lost the second 4-6, then won the final set 6-3. This is Michael's first year as a 4.5 player. 4.5 Woman's winner was Jaclyn Haas and Alison Mark. Alison explained how in the first set she was lost in the "Thoughts" about her wrist and game and felt Jaclyn was carrying her. But in the second set she stopped "Thinking" and started playing and the team took the final set with ease. The finalist runner up was Stacey Heroy and Mary Stengel. The match final was 7-6, 6-1. Woman's 4.0 Finalist winner Krista Ericson and Luz Saguiguit beat the number one seed in a very close match with the first match being won in a tie breaker, then the second match 7-5. Kim Boyer (1) and Dana Cartwright came in second place.
Men's 3.0 Finalist winner
Michael Chudd and partner
Michael Solomon did very well giving their
opponents few games as they walked away with the number one spot in men's
3.0. Rocky Alby and
Jon Silvertooth had a very close match with
Nolan Holt and The seeding was correct as the number two seed James Lash and partner Troy Wolf take the number two spot in the Darling tournament for men's 3.5 doubles, and the number one seed Gary Cope and Jason Zimmer took rightful ownership of the number one trophy. To get to the finals James Lash and Troy Wolf had an amazing come from behind success in a three set battle against worthy opponents Mark Kirchner and Joe Porada. The first set they won 6-4. They lost the second set 4-6. And in the third set they were way down only to come from behind and tie, forcing a tie breaker, then winning the tiebreaker and match deciding set 7-6(6).
Singles and Mixed has Begun Thursday night at Sports Club included the same committee members and volunteers, many of the doubles players from last week and a lot of fresh new faces, those who play singles or mixed only. Among the open players who broke through the first round is High School player Michael Uriarte who defeated an older but formidable Omar Cabahug, who's consistent and clockwork like net game gave Michael a serious challenge forcing him into three sets, and at times to the ground where Michael showed me scrapes and cuts from the fall. Also on fire was Zach Rideout who came in from Utah for the men's open singles. Zach told me he just got back from a two year mission and has been traveling where ever hecan find a tournament. He often comes to Las Vegas for the tournaments and stays with his Brother Micah who he last faced in the Lorenzi Classic men's open finals, where this time he out played his older brother and won the category. He and his brother also played men's doubles last week falling to the tournament winners Misha and Nenad, the tennis pro's at the Monte Carlo Tennis club and Resort. Today Zach won in two sets against Greg Vermeys. In the mixed doubles category a few of the tournament committee members played and played well. George Verhaalen and the Nevada Tennis Association Executive Director Sandy Foley played and won in two sets for the 4.0 mixed doubles. Jennifer Fields, the Tournament Chairperson and her husband Michael Fields were also seen on the court in between their tasks up at the desk. And the man who's daughters this tournament is named after, Frederick Darling, played doubles with hard hitting partner Shea Haycock in the mixed 3.5. He had the finesse placement shots while she had a very strong forehand played in a game that had some good rally's. I do not know who won but his wife and child were on hand to watch the match. I was later able to talk with him and expressed his satisfaction with how the tournament has turned out. To him the tournament has just gotten better and better each year. He explained that after the tournament ends the committee then makes it's decisions as to where to donate the funds. Lydia and Rick Holden were also out to play in the mixed doubles. Rick won the Spanish Trail tournament earlier this summer beating me in the first round in three sets then going all the way to win. Jill Chase played with last weeks doubles 3.5 champion Jason Zimmer against Rick and Lydia. And in men's singles 3.5 play was everywhere with the runner up of the doubles James Lash coming back after a near loss, being down 6-0 in the second set. Then, almost down 4 games in the third set, he came back to win the match. Also coming back from near destruction was Jason Zimmer who was more then once a point away from losing in two sets against Michael Holcomb. But he came back in the second set to force a tie breaker, won the tie breaker then cleaned up in the third set. Ken Greene was also out tonight and won in a long three set match where he split the first two sets then swept through the third against Jerry Sun. Kenneth Lee was looking powerful out there tonight hitting many solid shots and UNreturnable serves, but Bruce Merrin made him work for the win. Coming up Friday is some of the best players in Las Vegas dueling it out for the open title in men's singles. Stephane Mathue-Cambas, a former professional tennis player who is now the assistant coach at UNLV, Cameron Parker, Lew Deleon, Chris Savanapridi , Michael Uriarte, all standout junior tennis players, Matthew Mullin, the tournament assistant Director, Zach and Micah Rideout, both finalists in past Las Vegas tournaments, Robert Sjoholm , Jeff Eisberner, Eoin Collins , Derek Del Rosario and the number one seed Roger Pettersson all at the Sports Club, Friday and Saturday with the final Sunday. The mixed open Doubles should be challenging with the Thompson twins sisters both entered in the tournament , Christian playing with her high school coach and family friend Gordon Hammond, who is Bishop Gorman's tennis coach, and the tennis pro at Summerlin Tennis club. While Catrina plays with Cameron Parker, last years state title winner in boys tennis. Jamie Marshall, who just got a full scholarship to play college tennis in Oregon will also be playing with Kevin Bradley, Matthew Mullin, the tournament assistant Director, is also in the mixed draw, after having played doubles and singles. Cristala Andrews, who just won the girls 14 and under National tournament in Utah at the age of 12 will be playing with Tim Blinkeron, the ex-UNLV tennis player who won the NCAA championships in doubles his senior year. He has been coaching Cristala at Canyon Gate tennis club. If they win the juniors can either end their amateur carriers or decide not to take the prize money, and if you have seen some of these junior tennis players play, you know it is a real possibility, very real.
Thursday Night The look on one woman's face is what this tournament is about. I had just finished talking with one of the tournament umpires who shared his story with me about how his brother was Stacey Darling's doubles partner 9 years ago. He explained how as a team they won the first round of mixed doubles and were to meet Saturday morning to play the second round. When he arrived and asked at the desk if Stacey had arrived yet he was told she had died the night before. Ever since the tournament has been named after her. Moments after I was told the story I saw two players come out from under the tarp of the indoor courts. And I use my intuition as to whether or not to interview a person. And often times if a player loses they have a completely different disposition then if they had won. So in seeing this woman and man come out from the court I knew I was led to ask them a question, and as they answered, explaining that they had lost 1-6, 6-7 for mixed 4.0 doubles. I made the point that she had looked like she had won, and how that is a good thing, it means she is not carrying anything with her from the loss. She smiled and laughed exclaiming "I feel like I won" and then the man offered a very simple explanation, "She's happy she's playing with her son",..... "Yeah", she chimed in, "I am very happy." And the son mother team walked away. Erik and Ursula Kirschner. I had told the umpire after he told me his story, how that is why you take nothing for granted. Each situation to speak up and do what you know is right is there for you to embrace, like it was your last opportunity. There is a new award this year , the Ron Darling sportsmanship award, in the memory of another child of the Darlings who died this year in a motorcycle accident. I do not know how it will be awarded or through what decision process, but seeing through my lens I see the attitudes and spirit in which these games are being played and with the mother son team of Erik and Ursula Kirschner along with the Father and son combination of Franklin Starnes, they have a number of good candidates to choose from. James Eisenberg beat James Sparrow 6-4, 6-4. Arturo Nishimura put an end to the tournament committee member's triad status in the tournament. Now George Verhaalen is relegated to only being on the committee and doing those tasks and seeing to his mixed 4.0 doubles assignment with the Nevada Tennis Association's executive Director Sandy Foley. He is quoted as telling me his day begins tomorrow at 7:30 and lasts till 8:30. He and his wife and the tournament Director Matthew Mullin, Michael Fields, have been assisting each other in keeping all of us up to date on the scores of each match by entering them and uploading them to the internet each evening. Click here to see the draw and results. Anthony Enard and Stacey Heroy had a great match against Charmaine Dadian and Al Eccles in the 4.5 mixed, winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Friday Night The Rideout brother were out tonight playing on adjacent courts, and both were unable to maintain their stellar Las Vegas open record, as they both fell tonight, Zach to the tournament Director and Open player Matthew Mullin, and Micah to the third seeded player Robert Sjoholm. This is the same Robert Sjoholm that he played in the Finals for the Spanish Trail tournament this year. Robert won that get together and the Spanish Trail tournament for the Open Division. Lew Deleon's game was on hitting very hard well placed balls on the run. His most aggressive and powerful shots came when his back was against the wall. And they went in. He was obviously full of energy. Elisban Rodriguez after winning in three sets yesterday was unable to hold on against the Nationally ranked Junior. Roger Pettersson the number one seed Stephane Mathue-Cambas, the number two seed, and Eoin Collins had zero problems eliminating their opponents in two sets. Cameron Parker is still in the game after winning in two sets today. His father was there to get his own Video highlights of his nationally ranked son. All of these open winners play the quarterfinals and semifinals tomorrow at one and four pm at Club Sports. Mean while Mary Burns and James Lash continue their winning streak beating the husband and wife team of Prinya and Sally Tipmongkol who from what I saw seemed to be placement specialist, but that was not enough for the speedy and more powerful strokes of Burns and Lash, who now are in the quarterfinals playing at the Darling Residence against Sue Christensen and Bernard Shaw , (not the news commentator). James claims that the rumor is players who play at the Darling residence get a nice breakfast waiting for them before their match. He said he is satisfied regardless what happens in his matches tomorrow, one of which is against his doubles partner at 11:30am in his bid to get past the round 16 in singles 3.5. On Thursday I was walking by the TV set at Club Sport Green Valley and I saw John Hempel on the big screen being interviewed on local news for his business. Friday John was here in person playing singles in the men's 4.0, defeating his opponent in three sets. It is weird because unlike the massive swing that is often seen on the 4.5 level, John is fairly casual out there but when you see the result of his shots it is often a well placed bullet, yet if you just watch his swing and body language you would see a walk through the park. Onidio Mirabal still gave him a run for his money forcing him to three sets. Kenneth Moy the number 4 seed defeated Drew Isley in three sets. Drew won the second set in a tie breaker but lost the third 1-6. Brian Lashley the number three seed won in three sets against a worthy opponent Peter Mueller, losing the first set 4-6 then taking the last two 6-3. Brian is playing his first year as a 4.0 player after moving up from 3.5. Brian is listed in the "Find a match" section and has requested his listing read "to play other players 4.0 and above," and that is the attitude, because in reality the seed numbers, the "Division" numbers are just numbers. On any given day a one player can unseat another. Once you let go of the number illusion and play the game anything can take place. So whether you are 4.0 or open if you want to play Brian you can get his e-mail by going to the "Find a Match" section of the web site. There are two lists. The first is "Find a Match" with Robert Aguilar, Franklin Starnes jr. , Bryan Yeager, Michael Springer, John Hempel and others in the 4.5 section and a large number of 3.-4.0 players who have all indicated they are open to playing other players who contact them. Or you may go to the A-LIST Which is for all the open players in Las Vegas, including Brian Battistone, who is now trying to make a place for himself on the professional tennis tour, Cameron Parker, Lew Deleon, Micah Rideout, Matthew Mullin, Robert Sjoholm and others. If you want to be listed on one of these list, go to the "Find a Match" section or the A-LIST and follow the simple directions. Play the city. VegasTennis.com. Robert Kinas, the number two seed for men's 4.0, was given a hard time by unseeded Scott Pritchard losing the first set 4-6 then winning the second and third sets in tie breakers both ending 7-6, 7-6. This was the match of the evening. 4.0 Michael Wolford had a great match against George Powell defeating him only after George extracted his full three set effort. Michael lost the first set 4-6, then came back to win the second set 6-3, and in the third set won the match via the Tie Breaker 7-6 (5).
Saturday Singles Saturday at the Sports Club was all tennis. I played myself today in the men's 3.5 and defeated Bob Stewart in a close first match where I had won the first set 6-4, and then he was winning the second set 4-1. It occurred to me when he went up 4-1 that I could come back and win the third set, and when that "thought" came I knew it was a lie. This set was not over. I won the next five games. Then I went back to court 10 in "The bubble" to play Peter Todorov for the quarterfinals. He had just defeated Eric Ross 7-5, 6-2 and was now beating me in the first set 6-2. I came back and won the second set 6-2 and was up 3-1 in the third set. Then the "Thought" occurred to me that I was going to win. I too knew that "Thought" was a lie, and I went back to be focused on the game at hand. Then he came back and tied it 3-3, then he was up 4-3, then I tied it 4-4, then he went up 5-4 with me serving next, and after a couple match points going back and forth to deuce, and after Peter over came a leg cramp that stopped play at deuce, he won the match taking the third set 6-4. Peter plays men's 3.5 for Red Rock and played his team mate Anthony Paturzo in the semifinals Sunday morning. To get to the semifinals Anthony had a good three set match as well against David Schlatter, who lost to anthony. Jason Zimmer, who won the men's 3.5 doubles, is in the semifinals and will play Paul Anderson Sunday. Paul won the Lorenzi tennis Classic for 3.5 just weeks ago. Meanwhile Troy Wolf beat his doubles partner James Lash, who just yesterday vowed to beat him this time. James had also played a mixed doubles match this morning. The finals are at 1:00pm Sunday. Margaret Occhipinti has kept her number one status going into the semi finals for woman's 3.0. Tanja Barrows, the number on e seed is also in the semifinals playing Jill Chase who today defeated Joni Wolfe in a very close match where the last two sets were won by Jill 7-6, 7-6 in Tie breakers. Joni had won the first set 6-4. Joni had won the Lorenzi tennis classic weeks ago in the same category. Aly Wagonseller and Virginia Adams play tomorrow in the semifinals which is not new Territory for Virginia who was just in the finals of the Lorenzi classic for woman's doubles with partner Joni Wolfe. They came in second there. Cathy Railey defeated Jane Casovan in what might have been the toughest match of the day winning the two sets in a tie breaker and losing the other set to Jane in a Tie Breaker. The final score was... 7-6; 6-7; 7-6. She meets Crystal Flaton in the finals Sunday who had beat Jane Zimmerman 6-3; 3-6; 6-1. The highlight of my day was hearing an unexpected truth in an impromptu expression of wisdom from one of Las Vegas's premiere tennis coaches to his student and doubles partner in the mixed open quarterfinals. After splitting sets against their opponent, Tim Blenkiron and his partner/ student were at the water fountain and I was standing by for the third set to resume, when he began to give her an explanation of the game. And it was a surprise to hear something other then the foolish post point analysis of what could have should have been. Instead he addressed the most profound principle in tennis, not allowing oneself to get upset, and he illustrated his point with a real life in the moment situation where he had missed a key point but did not allow himself to be upset and later it was balanced off with a redeeming shot. But I could tell he was not emphasizing the win or loss of a point but the life enhancing principle of "No worries mate" that not only sustains you on the court but in all of life. If Cristala Andrews is able to grasp this simple but profound principle she will not only be a great tennis player but will have a wonderful experience in life. Their formidable opponents on court were Jamie Marshall, who just received a full scholarship for tennis at the University of Oregon and her coach Kevin Bradley of the Sports Club. Apart from this life lesson, Cristala and Tim lost
the first set 4-6 then came back and won the second set 6-4 and third 6-2.
All all parties played very well, especially Cristala making some great
Volleys and Jamie who was able to tee off on a couple of serves putting away
her return on a fast and sharp angle. But in the end it was the 12 year old
Cristala Andrews and her Coach from Canyon Gate Tennis Club,
Tim Blenkiron
who moved ahead to the semifinals and will play
Gordon
Hammond and
Christian Thompson Sunday at 8:30am for the
semifinals. Christian and Gordon defeated
Michael James ,
who is the head professional at Sports Club, and his
partner Pamela Loyd 6-1, 6-2 with Christian playing very well acing the
men's open player and putting away balls with great overhead slams. Gordon,
who is Christians High School coach and the tennis pro at Summerlin Tennis
Club showed that he is more then the "College tennis player" that he told me
he was.
Catrina Thompson and
Cameron
Parker were also on hand defeating the 4.5 doubles In the men's open category, former pro tennis player and UNLV assistant tennis coach Stephane Mathue-Cambas beat Robert Sjoholm, the Spanish Trail open tournament champion, who up until this point beat every opponent in two sets with only Micah Rideout taking him to a tie breaker. Earlier in the day local junior player Lew Deleon gave Stephane a little bit of a struggle losing 6-3, 6-4. Out of all the open players I have seen these tow are the ones who on the run hit shots that are stunning. Click here to see video of Stephane Mathue-Cambas playing Ben Coates in the Red Rock open finals last year. The number one seed in men's open is Roger Pettersson and will be playing Stephane Sunday at Club Sports Green Valley at 2:30pm. Sean and his wife Stephanie Cook
defeated
Patti Chess Jeff Eisberner has made it into the finals by defeating the Michael Springer 6-4, 6-4, in what seemed to be a close match. He plays Kurt Maunz in the semifinals who today defeated Rusty Jones 7-5, 6-3. Also in the semifinals of the men's 4.5 is Alan Sherfield and David Cox . Alan beat the number one seed and Spanish Trail runner up player Robert Aguilar 4-6, 6-1, 6-0. David beat Michael Quin 6-3, 60. Men's 4.0 Michael Wolford lost to number one seed John Hempel in two sets 6-2, 6-2. He faces Kenneth Moy who won his match today in a erratic 0-6, 6-0, 6-0. Brian Lashley, having just moved up to 4.0 this year is in the semifinals after defeating Arturo Nishimura in three sets 5-7; 6-4; 6-1. He plays Robert Kinas who reached the semifinals by defeating James Eisenberg 7-5, 6-2. Summary At the end of my two matches, the last of which lasted about 3 hours and fifteen minutes, apparently a tournament record, it was nice to have a full fruit plate sitting out for the players to enjoy. Melon, strawberry's, pineapple, grapes and a variety of foods such as beans and chips, hoagies and more. I got my tournament shirt, hat and jacket today all of which are top notch. And George Verhaalen and his wife Frankie, along with Tournament Chairperson Jennifer Fields and her husband Michael stayed longer then he had guessed yesterday. It was at least 9:30pm before it was time to pack up and that ended a great day of tennis in Las Vegas.
Sunday Finals It started at 7:00am for some players and even earlier for the tournament committee. I got there about 9:30. I was on my way out of my house and I noticed the outside light needed to be changed. The excuses why I should do it later were many, one of which was that I needed to "Hurry" to the sports Club to get footage of the open mixed doubles match before it was over. But I knew I was led to change the bulb now, so I got my tools and changed the light. It took all of 3 minutes, yet prior to making my decision the notion of changing this bulb now was bleak. I smiled when I reach the club just in time to get the last few games of the match and the shaking of hands at the end. Have you ever known you should do something but believe the excuses in your head as to why you should ignore this knowing? Life is a straight line and things work out as they should as long as you do what you know is right and disregard the "Worry's" and "Doubt" that come to all players. This is illuminated on the tennis court when the same "Doubt" and "Worry" thoughts try and pull you out of your intuitive game into a mental game of distraction and second guessing oneself. In life as with this game it is simple, do what you are led to do and disregard the "Thoughts" that suggest otherwise. But it starts at home and in everything you do, then you continue that choice naturally on the court. A person who doubts themselves can not turn off this doubt when the match begins, nor can they compensate with physical or technical prowess. Because even if this type of person wins they are not satisfied with themselves. The only way to be satisfied with oneself is by doing what you know is right. Then you feel right and this sustains you in perceived trying times, like break point. The match is now. Those shaking hands were Gordon Hammond (Summerlin Tennis Club Professional) and his partner Christian Thompson (Girls 18 and under doubles champion), who had just lost to Tim Blenkiron and his partner Cristala Andrews. Meanwhile on center court was Catrina Thompson (Girls 18 and under doubles Champion) and her partner Cameron Parker, (Nevada State Champion 2001), who also reached the quarterfinals and were now playing against Matthew Mullin, (the Tournament co- Director) and his partner Micheline Craw. The junior players out played the slightly senior pair 6-3, 6-2 with Catrina playing very consistent, and Cameron using more of his finesse game then the power playing I have seen him engage on the singles court. The well placed soft shots may be something that rubbed off from playing against Ben Coates his men's doubles partner. This match included many great volleys and excellent play on both sides. The win earned them a seat in the finals where they met Tim Blenkiron, (former NCAA National champion), and Cristala Andrews, his nationally ranked 12 year old student on center court at 1:00pm. The crowd flowed in to see the Open mixed doubles final, representing all age groups from Juniors, men's, ladies and seniors. The tournament committee once again provided hoagies, beverages, fruit, bean dip, chips, brownies, ice cream, Bagels donated by Cristala Andrews father's bagel shops, and fresh towels and water for the players at court side. It was well done. I bought a ladder so I could get high enough to get my video camera through the mesh court covers and the games began. Although the score was 6-3, 6-4 each game was very close with many games going back and forth on deuce / add. Excellent play all around. Catrina was not only consistent but she served through Tim Blenkiron many times showing that the first few were not a fluke. She had an excellent serving game, while Cameron was not serving as I have seen him in the past. He allowed himself to be in the position to be broken many times and often came back to win the game but was in a precarious position. It just goes to show that on any given day a player can play perfect or miss that mark. He missed a number of volleys I have seen him time and time again get without a problem. But for some unknown reason today some did not go. That is not to say he did not make the youthful and professional like tennis shots that have shocked onlookers before, leaping backhand overheads, well placed volley's and by far the best play of the tournament when a perfect drop shot by Tim, virtually UNgetable, was reached by Cameron, and with Tim and his partner at the net, Cameron placed it so well they were the one's left with the UNgetable shot. But today that was not enough. Tim Blenkiron's furry of a serve and backhand returns to the feet of the server along with his partners excellent play secured the Stacey Darling Open mixed doubles Title for the Coach and his student. From what it looked like to me, today's match was Cristala's day to shine. It is funny how life works. Things just culminate and happen at their perfect time. Tim and Cristala have been working together and it is apparent, as I see through the lens of this camera their interaction, that he has the pulse on her game and what needs to be said when. Like I mentioned in yesterday's write up, he seems to address the principles of the game and when the time is right, he makes one point and drives it home with that real life example. Such as today when Cristala was down on her serve love forty after she double faulted and he simply stated the truth that it was a mental error. No false hope or "Positive thinking", just reality. And he asked if she was nervous in such a way that took the nervousness out of the air. Because in life it is absurd to be nervous. It is just a "Thought" creating a feeling by you giving it your belief in it. And as he walked away he stated "One point at a time." And then it was 15-40-, then 30-40, then 40-40, then her add, then game Cristala, and from that point forward the momentum took a shift as she stood up to the plate and set up her partner for put aways numerous times. This is the truth so I will write it but getting high off this fact is not recommended. Just as I don't suggest being down on a day when that serve does not go in. A mental re-run of how well you played or how poor you played is not something that benefits a person. It is always a new day, and that is a good thing. And today's new day was Cristala's as she played very well returning many balls in a consistent manner as Catrina and Cameron had chosen her as the weaker link between her and her NCAA National champion partner. But she showed them and the crowd that this 12 year old can take the heat, volleying like a pro, and rarely missing. It seemed to me, even when she missed a point, she was just happy to be in the game. She saw the ball and hit it and was having fun doing it. She wasn't tight, trying. She was playing. The overly "Trying" to play tennis is not playing tennis. I heard someone tell me today that when she hits the ball with her husband she hits fine yet in the match she was missing. This "Trying" is caused by being in the mental instead of playing the game of tennis. The match was very close as they won 6-3, 6-4 with Cameron and Catrina almost coming back to win the second set. But not today. It was Cristala's day. Tim and Cristala won the Open mixed doubles and Cameron and Catrina took second in a very challenging field of players. Men's open Final Then came Stephane, the assistant coach for UNLV men's tennis who played on the ATP Tour from 1992-99. Stephane Matheu-Cambas has reached a ranking as high as No. 26 in France and No. 286 in the world. Since moving to Las Vegas he has won Red Rocks open tournament and you can view the highlights by clicking the "Video highlights" icon on the menu or by clicking here. Today Stephane won the Stacey Darling men's open tournament beating the number one seed Roger Pettersson who gave him a tough battle, almost coming back to force a third set but Stephane held on. One game in particular Roger was about to break stephane's serve twice, yet stephane would not have it. And in the end Roger got second place after sailing into the finals beating each of his opponents in two sets, never once allowing a player to get more then six games off of him, until Stephane. So the checks went out, $300.00 to Stephane and $150.00 to Roger. The mixed doubles also had prize money but since all the finalists are juniors, except for one, Tim Blenkiron, they were given the option of relinquishing their Amateur status and accepting the prize money or decline the money and donate it to" the cause of their choice." Tim got his share of the $450.00 mixed doubles winning prize and the $200 2nd place prize money went to Cameron and Catrina's cause of choice. Zimmer's Hat Trick.. Jason Zimmer won men's 3.5 singles...Doubles and Mixed doubles with partner Jill Chase by defeating James Lash and partner Mary Burns who took second place. James Lash also took second place in the men's doubles. In the men's singles finals Jason Zimmer played Anthony Paturzo who came in second after Jason won 7-5, 6-2. The 3.0 winner was number one seed Nolan Holt who moved through the finals 6-1, 6-2. The second place went to John Crutchman. 3.O Doubles winner was Michael Chudd and Michael Solomon. Mixed 4.0 was won by the husband and wife team Donna Roulias and Jim Roulias who when I watched them play next to me Saturday morning they looked like what some of the open players might look like after their teen youth has passed. These adults can play tennis. The second place winner was another husband and wife team, Emilia Hooks and Kenneth Hooks. In 4.0 mixed doubles my teammate Kris Penny made it to the quarterfinals with partner Pam Kirkendall but lost to Rita Arden and Sandy Milmeister who went to the semifinals. Sara Brown became part of the George Morrissey mixed doubles team in the last minute as his partner hurt her hamstring. She filled in perfectly helping the 4.5 Morrissey get to the finals with her fiery ground strokes and his calculated play. But it was not enough today as they took second place to the 4.5 mixed doubles winners Franklin Demonteverde Jr. and his partner Dawn Farber. Dawn Farber also won the woman's 4.5 singles title. In second place is Jill Russell. An inch away was Teresa McMillan who lost to Dawn in the first round 6-2; 3-6; 6-4. Cathy Railey took home a earned winners trophy in the ladies 4.0 final winning 6-3, 6-4 after winning what looks like the closest and most hard fought win of the tournament in the semifinals as she went three set against Jane Casovan. Each set went to a tie breaker with her winning the first and the last, 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, a good mental journey. Coming in second was Crystal Flaton who also played a three set match against Jane Zimmerman to reach the finals and a very close hard fought match in the opening round against Caroline Sobota . Ladies 3.5 was won by the consistent Virginia Adams who knows the simple secret to tennis, "Keep the ball within the lines." She wore out the hard hitting Tonja Barrows winning the ladies final. This same Tonja Barrows won the Lorenzi tennis doubles with partner Deborah Pettit when they played Virginia and her partner Joni Wolfe. Joni Wolfe won the Lorenzi tennis Classic this year in Ladies 3.5. 3.0 Ladies singles was between Susan Paul and Courtney Lung. Susan Paul won in three sets 3-6; 6-4; 6-1. 2.5 ladies singles - Sachiyo Kobayashi did not relinquish her number one seed position lightly, forcing Ada Ortiz, the number two seed and doubles champion, to work for it. After Ada took the first set 6-1, Sachiyo took the second set 6-2, striking a cord in Ada, who then turned it on to win the last set in a very close 7-5. Ada took heed to the very profound advice of "No chatty Kathy" in between games. She "Got focused" and stayed focused. It is a very important principle. It is draining to talk gibberish, and in between games or sets is not the time to make "Small talk" or as Ada put it, be a "Chatty Kathy." In that case I will make up a name for the same thing with men, "No Babbling Bob." 4.5 men's singles was won by Kurt Maunz the number two seed, who defeated David Cox in a very close match 7-5, 6-4. One or two points have a way of making a huge difference. "Don't sweat the small stuff" is a huge misnomer. The truth is be aware of what you are doing now, "One point at a time" as Tim Blenkiron put it, and what one perceives as the "Big stuff" will take it's course and regardless of the result, if you do what you know is right throughout the whole match then you are satisfied. I lost yesterday in a three set match that was very close and I have not thought about it since. I did everything I knew was right, I did not get upset or compromise my integrity in any way, and stayed aware the whole match. It just so happened I lost. But there are no regrets. Nothing to hash over. Kenneth Moy the number one seed hit a two run homer today getting the 4.5 men's singles championship trophy along with the first Annual Ron Darling Sportsmanship award for what George Verhaalen described as having an exemplary attitude on the court throughout all of his matches, never getting upset or showing himself to be anything but forthright. "He has a great attitude and just really has fun playing tennis, and he happens to be really good at it." And as George finished telling me that Kenneth hit one of many incredible shots in his very close match against Robert Kinas, the number two seed who made Kenneth fight for the win. The first set was 6-4 and the last set was settled in a tie breaker 7-6. |
champion 
