Ravi Krishnan
VegasTennis.con News archive
Stacey Darling 9th Annual Charity Classic
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 champion Jaclyn Haas and her partner Ravi Krishnan 6-3, 7-5. Catrina, also acing her men's doubles opponent and Cameron as usual shot a bullet or two across the net leaving their more mature opponents stunned. There were a number of good volleys but when approaching the net they were faced with great top spin lobs by Catrina or well placed leaping forehands by Cameron. Sunday they face the tournament Director Matthew Mullin and his partner Micheline Craw who defeated Suzi Agassi and her partner Jon Jannotta in a long three set match 6-4; 6-7; 6-1.