The seeds are out for the upcoming major zone:
NTRP Men's 4.0 Singles
1. Butt, Zaeem
2. McNeal, Sean
3. Marks, Miles
4. Taylor, James
5. Farmer, Benjamin
6. Smith, Aaron
7. Brown, Gregory
8. Hutchison, Leonard
9. Bacon, Israel
10. Canter, Caleb
11. Salihu, Musa
12. Boyareddigari, Prasanth
13. Kim, Hyung
14. Lee, Gerald
15. Bowman, Trae
16. Drake, Matthew
NTRP Men's 4.5 Singles
1. Sanchez, Alejandro
2. Griggs, Philip
3. Martin Del Campo, Guillermo
4. Luedtke, David
5. Hawkins, Ben
6. Sevin, Scott
7. Ewing, Adam
8. Miles, J.D.
9. Morton, Herbert
10. Rivera, Charlie
11. Schmucker, Greg
12. Robinson, Kevin
13. Patch, John
14. Stollenwerck, Sam
15. Dutchover, Ismael
16. Ramirez, Rene
NTRP Men's 5.0 Singles
1. Reitzel, Regan
2. Green, Timothy
I'm not as informed on the tournament scene as I should be, so feel free to chime in with your opinions. As usual, I will be keeping my eyes open for dangerous floaters and emerging newcomers to see how they will impact the upcoming league season.
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Dangerous floaters in M4.5S would be guys like Quack Bui, David Guy, Sean Lacy, and also a guy from St Louis named Brent Gruno, who appears to mostly play mens open in his section.
ReplyDeleteThe 4.5 field is wide open.
ReplyDeleteSome good 4.0 and 4.5 doubles teams and potential match-ups as well.
ReplyDeleteMario Gloria and John Arringdale can be dangerous.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know when the draws will be posted?
ReplyDeleteI think that it will be next Tuesday
ReplyDeleteThe Open seeds have been posted.
ReplyDeleteAny 4.0 bump up's going to do anything in 4.5.
ReplyDeleteBest bets for a 4.0 bump-up to stir the 4.5 pot at the HTA Open would be Scott Foster, Sebastian Chambert, and Brandon Myers. Some others have good potential, but it really comes down to who they draw in the 1st and 2nd rounds.
ReplyDeleteChambert gave Tim Green a tough match at the Coke last year.
ReplyDeleteFoster already made some noise last year as well.
ReplyDeleteOut of the 4.5 seeds, only 5 are from Houston and they are all seeded 9 or lower. Can someone from Houston win this year?
ReplyDeleteseeding is based on tourney results throughout the year. many of the best houston players don't travel to play other tournaments so seeds are misleading. there are plenty of potential winners from houston
ReplyDeleteBetter chance of a Houston team winning doubles, such as Benzon and Dibua.
ReplyDeleteName one of those plenty of potential winners from Houston. In 4.5 singles that is.
ReplyDeleteRyan Cooper
ReplyDeleteJohn Day
Scott Foster
Sean Lacy
LOL. Ryan Cooper is .500 league player for a bad team. Is the draw for 4.5 that weak?
ReplyDeleteCooper is a good player and not a bad long shot pick. Foster has no chance. He's over rated. Style over substance. Didn't Day lose first round in Kingwood? He and Lacy lack mobility and endurance.
ReplyDeleteDavid Guy,
ReplyDeleteOdion is not playing singles that's a shocker, he would have been the favorite.
Some good teams in 4.5 doubles. Benzon/Dibua, Vernon/Mills, Luedtke/Rivera, Arringdale/Ewing, etc.. Didn't Dibuas win it last year? I can't remember. Anywho, who is everyone picking this year?
ReplyDeleteFirst round match times have been posted...but no opponent information yet.
ReplyDeleteFYI Brian Mills has won the Gallery Major Zone the last 2 years in 4.5 doubles which is very impressive !!!
ReplyDeleteVernon and Mills are probably the favorites for the HTA tournament in 4.5. Their record speaks for itself.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Vernon/Mills will win 4.5 doubles.
ReplyDeleteGound will win 5.0 singles.
Draws have been posted
ReplyDeleteI won't win. Not even close. However, I've probably won 70% of my league matches over the years. Does the anonymous poster above want to reveal his identity?
ReplyDeleteWhy again do they have this tournament on Easter weekend?
ReplyDeleteGound will not win 5.0 singles. Besides losing to Green and Dibua last weekend, he has already pulled out.
ReplyDelete@Bobby - HTA is a anti-religious organization that is trying to squash religion in our community... no really, they play this event on Easter weekend b/c Good Friday is a holiday and it has always been played on this weekend.
ReplyDeleteOnly the good people have to worry about Easter Sunday, most of the scrubs are done on Friday and Saturday....
Okay, I just wanted to make sure it was the whole Atheist angle of it all. That's sarcasm in case it didn't come through. Looking forward to the day off for some Tennis and hoping to make it through to Sunday and then ask God for forgiveness after and then my boss on Monday for missing the early part of the day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliments to the above posters. Jacob and I won't be able to play this year as he became the proud father of a baby girl last week. We'll look forward to playing later in the year and at the HTA next year.
ReplyDelete-Brian Mills
Congrats to Jacob and his wife. They're good people.
ReplyDeleteGD
Congrats to Jacob and his wife!
ReplyDeleteLovely, the one thing I love most about playing this tournament is the people who talk all the smack in the world and are too afraid to post their name. Just like last year when a lot of posts targeted Ted Bradley and how people thought he was a sandbagger and such... but what happened? he lost and proved the opposite.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I'm excited I get to play the #4 seed and look forward to the match.
Did anyone else see that the 4.5s are playing Memorial Park, and the 4.0s are at Homer Ford? 5.0 is playing at LLTC.
ReplyDeleteNice of them to change it up this year.
Luis, you are up against one of the most intelligent tennis players in that 4.5 draw.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the thoughts on the Open Draw? Are there any front runners out there? Same for sleepers as well? I might get out to LLTC with my son and watch some matches this weekend, so I am curious. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThis years 4.0 sandbagger = Kristopher Knutson. The guy is beating 4.5 and 5.0 players but doesn't have the balls to play in his own level now?
ReplyDeleteNo kidding, Luis. I rarely read this board. I was trying to find some info on the tournament and some anonymous poster is talking trash about me on the internet. Kind of strange.
ReplyDeleteThis will only be my 4th tournament in the last 12+ years. I played the Coke in 2007 and made it to the quarterfinals. I defaulted up 5-3 in the 3rd set because I couldn't play on Monday. My opponent ending up winning the tournament. I was playing really well in 2007 and not nearly as well now. I don't usually play tournaments because my knee can't hold up for several matches in a row. It looks like I drew some really good players in my section of the draw. I have no idea what to expect, but I hope to have some good matches.
Ryan's right - Tennislink says that he is 6-5 in 4.5 USTA singles over the last 3 summers.
ReplyDeleteSomeone needs to learn how to do some math.
Someone is really jealous of Kris Knutson, and keeps repeatedly bashing him. Did he steal your wife, or arrest you for being an @ss? I don't think he will make it to the quarters this year, but hope that he has a good tournament.
ReplyDeleteWhat 5.0 or 4.5 player(s) has he beaten recently. Get over it already and move on.
WTF - There is no men's 3.5 doubles this year at the HTA open? I guess the bump did really deplete 3.5.
ReplyDeleteI gotta figure out how get back down to 3.5 and I can finally lay claim to being a "Coke winner".
I hate that we'll have to miss the tourney. Our baby girl was due on April 20 and came on March 24! The draw looks every bit as tough as last year. I wouldn't say we would have been the favorites in this tough field. I think Benzon/Dibua are the team to beat. Arringdale/Ewing is a very solid team as well.. Brian and I beat them 11-9 in the 3rd set at league sectionals last year. Luedtke and Rivera are also a very good team. We edged them in two close sets at the Coke last year. My finals prediction is Dibua/Benzon over Luedtke/Rivera in 3 hard fought sets. Hope everyone has a great time at the tourney and we look forward to playing next year.
ReplyDeleteJacob Vernon
Knutson is a sand bagger for sure but he is no 5.0 and I doubt he beat any 5.0s either.
ReplyDeleteKnutson has beaten a few "current" 5.0s in the last 2 years. The guy goes from best of the best 4.5 in 2008 to 4.0 by January 2010. He should definately be playing 4.5. Him playing 4.0 is a joke.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but Knutson playing 4.5 is a joke.
ReplyDeleteWhy is Knutsen playing 4.5 a joke? He certainly couldn't win the whole tournament, but he would be capable of winning a few rounds.
ReplyDeleteknutson was a top 4.5 in tournaments 15 months ago. did he have a big injury recently? him beating up on 3.5 bump ups is definately a joke.
ReplyDeleteHe is a hacker and a scrub. He won't win the watered down 4.0.
ReplyDeleteDraw is out
ReplyDeleteAny good match-ups in the 4.5 singles draw? Nice that those matches will be at memorial park. Best matches to catch Friday?
ReplyDeletegood friday matchups:
ReplyDeletebui vs del campo
gruno vs morales
leach vs gloria
lacy vs caskey
Is Caskey any good?
ReplyDeleteThe favorites in those four matches are bui, gruno, gloria, and lacy.
ReplyDeleteDavid Guy vs. Mario Gloria should be a good, long match.
ReplyDeleteComment validation is finally on for the tourney blog. seems like it's already dead though.
ReplyDeleteI think I like it better if both blogs were combined. One place to go for all your Houston tennis information.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want to encroach on their territory if the tourney blog is gonna' be active. Plus, I don't follow tourney stuff all that closely. But if that blog dies out I definitely think that tournament stuff should/would be discussed here.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the "Coke" is the real start to the tennis season and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens this weekend.
Htown, are you injured, why aren't you playing? You know you will be out watching no matter what...
ReplyDeleteI heard Freeman and Benzon protested and got Tim Green knocked back down to a 4.5. Can anyone confirm this.
ReplyDeleteI think I've hit 3 or 4 times since last August. I have to admit that getting bumped up sapped some of my tennis enthusiasm.
ReplyDeleteTim is a benchmark and can't be protested down.
April Fools!
ReplyDeleteApril Fools
ReplyDeleteGood luck to everyone tomorrow. Gonna be a good day for tennis.
ReplyDeleteTuyen Nguyen, Aaron Greene, Bruce Inting, and Scott Foster all win their first round matches in 4.5 Miguel Morales loses to Brent Gruno and Ruben Vargas loses to Donny Bishop.
ReplyDeleteThe 4.5 division sure has gone downhill.
ReplyDeleteThat's a dumb statement. The 4.5 singles is pretty strong. The 4.5 doubles is about as strong as it has been in recent years. If Mills/Vernon were here, it would been the strongest draw in the last 5 years.
ReplyDeleteI agree .. (w/Scott)
ReplyDeleteso what is up with Benzon wussing out on the 30S yet plays the 4.5 Doubles, guess he could not take the butt-kicking.
ReplyDeletebenzon does that all the time, cuz he can't face the LOST in his record
ReplyDeleteI think that it is funny to see Knutson lose in the 4.0 Houston Open. Here is a guy who two years ago was talking so much noise telling everyone that he can beat them and then he loses in the Houston Open in a year that the 4.0 division has seen a dramatic decrease in talent. Knutson if I was you I would watch what you have to say.
ReplyDeleteGreat showing from 4.5 singles:
ReplyDelete1) david mc mullen
2) herb morton
If you are concern about what Knutson said 2 years ago you are a bigger loser than him. Get a life and get over it.
ReplyDeletewhat happened with the bruno vs mc mullen match. looks like bruno won the first set 7-5, then dumped the last two sets 6-0,6-0. probably couldn't make it on sunday. but it looks like mcmullen couldn't make it either. does anyone know what exactly happen?
ReplyDeletei saw parts of that match. it was almost 3 hours long, even though ended with 6-0 6-0. many rallies were long, and most games went to deuce. looked like gruno's foot speed was tiring, and mcmullen never let up. playing mixed doubles probably hurt gruno's stamina in the end.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Herb made semis in singles and doubles. Not bad
ReplyDeleteAnyone know what happened in the 4.5 doubles finals? What does 4-6; 5-4 Def (cond) mean?
ReplyDeleteCharlie Rivera got defaulted for poor sportsmanship. He had gotten penalized twice, a point and a game penalty in the semis for racquet throwing. Made the mistake of smashing racquet in front of HARRIET! She immediately disqualified him.
ReplyDeleteThe score on the draw is a mistake, Luedtke/Rivera actually won the first set.
Could not happen to a nicer guy! I bet that made for a fun ride back to Waco! Good job, Harriet!
ReplyDeletewhat is the deal with the officials nowadays... i am a very patient person but some of them are getting ridiculous!!! i got in trouble for bouncing a game ball on the way to my court before a match/ and for giving a player water... are you serious?
ReplyDeletecongrats to arringdale for winning the m4.5s without dropping a set. actually, he looked kinda strong for a 4.5 player, but maybe thats just me.
ReplyDeleteCharlie Rivera has always been a joke and shouldn't be allowed to play in tournaments with his vulger mouth and non-existent sportsmanship. His league teammates can't stand playing with him and his opponents know his temper is uncontrolled and a liability, just a matter of time before he implodes.
ReplyDeleteIt's q shame because he's a good player. I guess every city has an asshole.
Not the first time Rivera has been defaulted b/c of conduct. Surely won't be his last either.
ReplyDeleteHe didn't finish his singles match either.
its crazy because he is the nicest guy off the court too...
ReplyDeleteCharlie rivera, may have a temper, but its usually at himself, i have seen many of his matches and his problem has always been with his inability to do something... its very rarely directed at the opposing team, and i would take that over a lot of people ive had to play with their ridiculous line calling and over inflated ego's....
ReplyDeleteI played Rivera in the doubles semis. Yes he went nuts while we were on serve! However I will say that he was nice to my partner and I and he and Luedtke were very fair with their calls.
ReplyDeletePersonally I had no problem with them. The shame of it is they could have won the tournament. However it is not smart to break a racquet with the Tournament referee (Harriett) standing right there knowing that you already had two penalties against you. Apparently, the penalties carry-over from match to match, I didn't know that.
usually a player gets angry, because he is pissed off with the way he is playing.
ReplyDeletethese pro-penn tennis ball sucks. they are too heavy on the felt and have no pop on them. maybe that affected his game, but he didn't realize it.
I've seen Rivera cuss out his opponent (and later be defaulted) for being a "pusher". Dude has major attitude problem.
ReplyDeleteI played on the court beside Rivera in the defaulted match and while I appreciate how upset he was getting with himself, he was screaming the "f"bomb every other point among other choice words and was very distracting. Once he smashed his racquet on the court, we all knew he was done. I think Harriett was very patient with him as she allowed his outbursts for a long period of time, but once the racquet was smashed, she had no choice but to default him. It was a shame because the overall match was awesome. Red & Odion had their hands full. Congrats to all the winners!
ReplyDeleteyeah it was a good match until that point.... i know the first official gave a point/game penalty within 2 seconds and i dont at all think that is fair.... he shouldve given him a point penalty and then let him cool off a bit and then if it continued gone with the game penalty...
ReplyDeleteWhoever posted 3/24 at 3:42pm sure knows what he is talking about!
ReplyDeleteSecond year in a row that Rivera has acted a fool with the umpires. I watched him in the tournament last year against Mills/Vernon when they lost and he went off on a line judge telling him to get off his f'ing court and to go f-up someone elses match. I was shocked he did not even get a point penalty for it just a warning. I wonder if it was the same line judge.
ReplyDeleteI don't know this Rivera character, but people like that ruin the game. Ban him from USTA for a year! Send a message.
ReplyDeleteHe is a nice guy off the court. He and Luedeke are also fairly friendly when they are winning and/or much better than their opponents. They both act like pricks when they play the better players and/or are losing. They have lots of tactics to get inside your head. They are one of the better 4.5 doubles teams you will find, but their attitudes take away from their play.
ReplyDelete