This was the first year they had high quality streaming video.  And this decision by Dan Knight and Hans Riehemann was not due to their computer savvy.  In fact they both have admitted to limited use of computers. But this does not stop them from seeing the powerful benefits to having all of what they do at one central location on the web. 

The following individuals and organizations contributed to the success of this years event

Dan Knight was the first tennis professionals in town to see the benefits of the VegasTennis.com web site; Because Hans and Dan have recognized good ideas in themselves and have given credence to the intuitive knowing which is always trying to lead us all to greatness. One such example may seem simple, but it makes a huge difference and is indicative of an attitude that is prevalent at their events... The draw was updated and printed twice a day and taped to the outside window. Not once. Twice. Not printed and left out for persons to ask for it. But taped to the window. And all throughout the tournament players would look at the draw, congregate around the names and numbers.  You may not see it, but I see that it is details like this that that collectively come together to create a near perfect tournament experience. The draw was published to the web site, most times, nightly so players could experience the event at home and on court. This web site serves to extend the tournament experience , a few days before and a few days after by capturing a moment in time and illuminating it's highlights. 

Dan Knight was explaining to me how he use to have a money tournament bringing in professional and top of the line open players from all over the country, with a prize money of up to $3,500.00. But the players started to get more involved in the strip hotels then the tennis courts. Eventually he discontinued what he saw could have been an excellent thing. So this year there was no money, and although last Spanish Trail's tournament was filled with some of the better known open players in the Valley, this one had a crop of new faces, many of which were equally as talented. Ending up in the finals for the men's open was Reed Radosevich  and Jason Harman. Reed plays for the Summerlin 5.0 team which won the city Championships and went to sectionals. And Jason was a local junior standout when he played here as a kid. He has since been a teaching professional in South Carolina at Hilton Head. But has recently moved back here, where his parents live. His father, who also coaches him, and was a very competitive table tennis player, was at every match to support his son. In talking to him he touched on the valuable principles the game has instilled in his son. In fact watching his son play in the exhibition match the other evening, I heard him say one thing... but that one thing stood out to me as something meaningful..... "Don't start getting mad" he said. It was true and profound, and says something about a player's maturity. 

The following individuals and organizations contributed to the success of this years event

In the final Reed and Jason went toe to toe, it could not have been closer with the first set going to Jason 6-4 and the second to Reed 4-6. But Reed had to default the third set  due to an injury giving the match to Jason. But is was a win earned, as he not only outlasted Reed but did so after three other challenging matches, the last two of which were three sets each. In the first round he beat the hard hitting Brian Lashley who jumped from 4.0 league tennis where he and I played this past spring to Open competition, and he showed that it was not a far cry as he lost 6-3, 6-2 taking 5 games off the eventual winner.  I knew when I saw Brian Lashley at last years Red Rock tournament that he had the right attitude when it came to going into competition, and this was confirmed when I played him three sets later this same year. 

In the second Round it was Spanish Trail's former tennis professional and former UNLV player Mike Baskin, who lost to Jason in three sets  6-2; 6-7; 6-2. Mike comes back to Spanish Trail for all their events. In fact, I have not seen him play in any events except Spanish Trail. There is a reason for that. The Draws are put out twice a day.... This speaks volumes.

But Mike's return from retirement was cut short by Jason's zero quit hustle. Zero quit. And it was another rarely seen open player in Premysl  Placek , who goes by the name "Peter" that challenged this no quit spirit to the max, taking him 3 sets in the semi finals, giving Jason his biggest challenge of the tournament. The final score was a very close  6-4; 4-6; 6-4. I knew Peter and a number of the other open players from playing at Baskin Park. One night he came down to play and asked to hit. We played and talked about life. After which I bet him $5.00 for one set. After losing 6-0 I paid him and have since seen him either working or playing at UNLV's tennis center.

On the other side of the draw was another Baskin Park player, Attila Tokay , who in the first round was able to beat former nationally ranked junior player and Canyon Gate 5.0 player Bruce Goldstein  7-5; 2-6; 6-1. Bruce kept it close in the first set, both going pace for pace, but the young gun Attila took over in the second and third set. Watching the match was Canyon Gate teammate Jeff Barber, who was also in this tournament and lost to Reed Radosevich in the third set, 4-6; 6-2; 6-3 . It was a nice match to see up until the last set as these two had some excellent volley's with Jeff Barber hustling like crazy. But as that energy faded and Reed was able to hit some perfect passing shots just touching lines, Jeff's fire was extinguished,.... until another day. But it should be noted that Jeff Barber started the game just four years ago and has shown what I have always known, that you can play anyone , just let go of the illusion of a rating. In fact, at Baskin park there is no rating system and I never believed in such a thing. So I play against "Open" players often, and I know each time I have a chance. In fact I have played at least three of the open players in this event, and won one and took a number of games off the other. All it takes is one... "Just one." I have also gotten killed playing "Open players" as well. So what. All I needed was one. One point. One game. One match. One tournament. One mic. It begins with one.

And Jason Harmon got his one this season taking the Spanish Trail open "Title." 

In the other divisions it was Kurt  Maunz  here to defend his 4.5 Wimbledon Darling Title. And it was Club Sport team member  Jeff  Eisberner  which took away that opportunity in the semi-finals winning in a three set brawl 6-3; 4-6; 6-2. Playing Kurt you must have extreme patience, good speed and the ability to deal with a variety of pace. One second he is placing the ball perfectly, lightly, the next second it is a big overhead. He proves that even in the 4.5 level it is not all about pace, touch still plays a part in tennis. In the 3.5 and 4.0 draws I see time and time again these touch masters ruling the hard hitters, winding them up in their own over emotional play, and at one time they tried to include me in this twine. But I unraveled myself by seeing what was happening and adjusting accordingly. And that is what Jeff seems to be doing today, as he too kept a sharp steady game to beat a long time challenge in his 4.5 teammate. Their club sport 4.5 team won the city championships this year and went to sectionals. Jeff's mother, who is often courtside for his events told me,  after hearing of the win against Kurt, which is rare, she came down to see her son's finals match which he won in two sets 6-4; 6-3. I have no doubt that playing someone like Kurt prepared Jeff to play and beat the other finalist  Larry Tombari  who was the number one seed. The "Lessons" a player can get for their game is having it challenged by another player who can tap into your weakness.

Such was the case for me as all year.  I had little or no problem playing anyone except two players, Rick Holden who is sly as a fox and Jason Zimmer who had a troubling forehand slice. At least troubling for me. I had never had someone hit the ball like that and when I went to hit my backhand top spin it would go into the net. If I sliced it back, if not done right, would pop up to his overhead. I remember playing him for the first time in the Desert Palm Finals, and although I had won other finals, I had never faced him, so to me it did not count. At Desert Palm it was time to see ... but my game was horrible and I lost in two sets, missing almost everything. At first I noticed the variety of excuses that come to a losing player. But I did not believe in them, or use them. There was no excuse. He beat me, and missing shots I usually never miss was not because I had "A bad day" as the excuse often suggests, but because he forced me to have a bad day. And that is what Jeff Barber said, rightfully so. Jason's slice shot shook up my game. I could admit that or believe the excuse. I accepted the truth, and just waited my turn. Time and Time again I faced him in the finals of doubles and mixed doubles, but it was never singles... Jason verses Ryan. Doubles has it's value, yet singles it is each man for himself, no one to blame, not that there is someone to blame in doubles, because there is not, but some people try. I like the challenge of being on the court, me against the challenge. The challenge not to crack mentally, emotionally or physically. It is you and the resources of your character.  You really rediscover a lot about yourself on the tennis court and in close competition, and about  the various things that try and pull on you. It was Dan Knight who said, "Tennis does not build a man's character as much as it reveals it." This is true.

I have to say, in watching, playing and covering these events, not only do I enjoy seeing this discovery in myself but in others as well. How a person wins, plays and loses says everything. And time and time again I see character at play. One such example was the play of Bob Bass. The man ran down every single ball and did not quit for one second, down to the last point. He was a gentlemen from start to finish. And although I won in two sets it was the best rally's I had all tournament. He hit a crazy Kick serve and forehands with a lot of top spin. He had a slice and excellent on the move volleys. He had all the tools yet time and time again after long rally's I would get the key point to win the often very close games. I knew at any time this game could beat me, but it was just my day. He said at the end that the score did not reflect the level of play on both sides and that is true.

In the 3.5 finals I had the most challenging match of the tournament. I played Henry Mique. To get in the final Henry had to play Troy Wolf. Now I know why the crafty Baskin Park player Henry Mique  beat the Club Sport Indoor finalist Troy Wolf in three sets. Henry told me he was down 0-3 to Troy  in the first set only to come back and win in the tie breaker. Then Troy took the second 6-2 and in the third was up a game at one point. Eventually Henry won the third 7-5. One statement explains it all, ....Henry gets almost everything back until you either hit a complete winner, which many times he will also get back... or you lose patience and hit the ball out. Don't for one second be fooled by his soft pace. Either way there is no easy win. I knew this right away. I have never been more worn out on a tennis court then when I played this final Sunday.  I won in two sets 6-4, 6-2. The glory days of 3.5 are over for Rick, Jason, Troy and I. Henry Manqué and Bob Bass are just beginning. 

Actually, there is still Lorenzi Silver State Championships November 7-12th and The Bally's Annual Holiday  Classic November 21-24th and December 5th-8th. To sign up for Lorenzi call 229-4867. To sign up for Bally's call 967-4598.

Another highlight in the men's 3.5 was the first round match between Troy Wolf and Steve McCrary. Both are hard hitters and I knew when playing Steve at Red Rock, had he been on it would have been a lot more difficult. Today he was on hitting some nice shots with spice, in particular one of the best backhands I have seen in this level of tennis. Perhaps he too has seen his last 3.5 days. But in the end it was Troy Wolf that won it in the third set. And it should be noted, that Troy was up a set and serving at 5-5, 15-40 and he hit a very close ball to the line that looked out but Steve played it and Troy won the point, only to then say to Steve... "Was my ball out"... willing to lose the point, the game, his serve and go down 5-6 in the second set. In other words he was not so consumed with "Winning a  game" that he would disregard what he saw to be a point lost by him. But as it turned out, Steve said the ball was indeed in and Troy got the point. Steve then took that set and forced a third. Troy eventually won the match 6-1; 4-6; 6-4. 

Another great match was between Tim Sutko and  William Eisinger that ended in three sets , 5-7; 6-1; 6-4.

In men's 3.0 tennis it was Doug Blatchford  that had a hard haul to win the seat at the final. He played two three set matches before taking second place in the final. He played James Morton and won 2-6; 6-3; 6-4. He then played the VegasTennis.com 3.0 mixed doubles Sectional player Jonathan Pruneda and won in a very close 6-2; 0-6; 7-5.But in the finals he was stopped by Troy Miller  who had lost very few games from anyone on his way to victory. 

In men's 4.0 tennis it was Spanish Trails Spring 3.5 finalist Brent Scott who played up in the 4.0's and won! He showed his prowess at the city championships earlier this year in league play, and in tournament play he was nearly undefeated with the only exception being a loss to Rick Holden in last years final. But this year , in the 4.0, he won the final in two sets. This after a great three set match against Desert Palm league player Brian Yeager. Brian gave Brent his toughest match of the draw taking it 3 sets 6-7; 6-3; 6-2. The other finalist was home court player Mike nelson who at one point said he was an open player who stopped the game for some time. Now he is getting back into things and in doing so played 4.0. He made it to the finals and on the way won a three set battle 6-7; 7-5; 6-4 against  Mike Pusateri   in the semi-finals.

In the ladies 2.5 event winning the tournament was marathon runner Lisa  Mueller   and taking second was Lisa Welsh who was introduced to the game by her friend Jason Zimmer. In fact Lisa and Jason beat me and my partner Mary Kinas in the 6.0 mixed final. 

In the ladies 3.0 it was Stacy Darling winner and number one seed Sue Paul sweeping through the draw like a 3.5 player. And it was her opponent, Pamela Emmel  ,  who was the only one to stop her advance, winning in a close second set 6-2, 6-4. The rally's were very long. Each point and game was drawn out to the max testing the patience of each player. Patience is a key aspect to this game. Sue's husband was on hand as usual to support her game, as was her Summerlin teammate. Her Summerlin team came in 2nd place this year at  . Click here to see to Click here to see the District Championships.

The winner, Pamela Emmel is from Hawaii and decided to play in the vent at "The last minute."

In the ladies 3.5 event, Karen Tyddall, a Spanish trail player who is returning to the game after some shoulder surgery, had an excellent three set match in the semi finals against the Jill Gaynor winner Joni Wolfe. Joni's husband was there to support her, as he plays 4.0 tennis himself.  Karen won 6-3; 6-7; 6-3. In the finals she faced Stacy Darling mixed and singles winner Jill Chase. Jill also was undefeated at District Championships and was instrumental in her Red Rock teams city Championship win. Today she played some excellent tennis, hitting one passing shot that showed she is more then ready for the 4.0 game. In the end , while Karen kept it close, Jill won  6-4; 6-4.

In the Ladies 4.0 Joyce Mao, who was a semi-finalist at Stacy Darling, has won  this end of the season tournament beating Lana Penrose    6-3,5-7, 6-2.

Once again, the Spanish Trail event tops itself, with the exhibition match between Spanish Trail  tennis professional Daniel Maccanello , Sean Monk, Jason Harmon, and the Wilson Racquet Sports representative , Don Davis, who fly's into town from Phoenix quite often to display his product and let players test drive their new equipment. Wilson, at all the large sporting goods conventions and at local events such as this one has always been a class act. Their customer service, product information, sales and presentation is efficiently run. So much so I looked up their stock symbol to keep track of, as they are often time above and beyond their competition when it comes to being a well run organization. Don's presence at events like this is a perfect example. He featured their new limited edition Triad Racquet for ladies which a portion of the proceeds will be going to the Breast Cancer research foundation.

Robert Shawhan brought his son who is also named Robert to the event after he heard about it on the VegasTennis.com e-mail newsletter. His son plays junior tennis in town, and this evening adult and junior tennis were able to compliment each other as young Robert was able to see the older open players play. He was enjoying every minute of it. In Las Vegas few know of the very large junior tennis scene. It is as big if not bigger then the adult events. In fact, right now the Nevada Tennis Association is putting on a junior tournament at UNLV. It goes until Sunday and anyone can go watch. At the end of the month the Nevada Tennis Association hosts it's largest Sectional tournament of the year, which includes juniors from all over the six state Intermountain  section. These matches will be held at a variety of clubs including Spanish Trail, who has always been accommodating to the NTA and junior events. Sandy Foley, the Executive Director of the NTA describes Dan and Hans as "They are just really nice guys" when we were discussing Spanish Trail's ever present support of junior tennis. The other local club hosting  sites are Las Vegas Country Club, ClubSport, Anthem, Alexander Dawson and Sierra Vista High School. You can track the junior tennis action from this web site or go see for yourself.

Robert Shawhan plays tomorrow at UNLV, but tonight he was just content to see how adults play the game.

To see the tournament party, doubles, mixed doubles or singles reviews click the link below...