I took my maiden voyage to the league tennis courts this year as I headed down to Chancellor's to watch the 4.5 matchup between the Mob Squad and the creatively-named Lakeside-Men 4.5. It was nice to see so many old friends and, momentarily at least, the competitive tennis had me longing to play. I'm sure it'll pass.
It was a must-win for Louis Lu's team, and Lakeside accommodated by not traveling with their two best doubles players, Glenn Wright and Tommy Connell. The singles matchups were juicy and as expected: Hung Nguyen v. Don Rios and the battle of the Buis. It was my first real look at Hung Nguyen. He's very smooth with that backhand slice, moving it around the court nicely and mixing in a number of well-disguised drop shots with it. As usual, Rios was hitting some powerful forehands, but Nguyen won a first set tiebreaker and seemed to gather steam in the second, cruising to a straight set win. I had given Quack a slight edge over James in the other singles match, and it certainly isn't the first time I was way off on my predictions. James won fairly handily, and in the nick of time, as he seemed to cramp on the very last point. There aren't a lot of quick points when you play Quack.
Chancellor's broke out a couple of new players last night: former 4.5 Fall Fest singles winner and Texas Sectionals doubles champ Huy "DJ" Pham teamed with longtime friend Tuan Tran to take down veterans Wooten and Sanford, and Gerald Evert (not to be confused with Gerald Levert of "Casanova" fame) and Huy Nguyen downed 4.0 Hurricane alums Eddie Perdomo and Bill Morris. Lakeside's lone victory came when ex-Mobber Chantz Chanthanalay and newcomer Frank Edwards took down Alex Chang and Charles Nguyen.
The 4-1 win was much-needed for the Squad, and it appears Lakeside will be behind the eight ball for a while in their quest for the playoffs.
I haven't heard much other news from around the league. A couple of nuggets that jumped out at me in looking at "box scores":
The next time someone tries to tell you how tough tournaments are in comparison to League, please give them a hearty belly laugh. Alastair Le waltzed to a 7-0 record in the "Coke" 4.0 division, the areas most difficult and prestigious tournament. He is now 0-2 on the season on Thursday nights.
The "Good Guys", who seem to have a solid team, posted a convincing win last night. They have a player who self-rated 3.5, Andrew Nguyen, who moved to 12-1 in 2012 last night with a resounding double bagel win. Might be someone to keep an eye on.
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thats a great win for the mob squad. their season continues, which allows more drama in div3.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the Sugar Creek team got a sponsorship. They changed their name from the Titans to JAM.
ReplyDeleteHopefully Lito will clarify, but I believe that may be a new tennis store down that way that Lito Diano is involved with (he may be an owner...not sure). Anyway, Lito, feel free to mention the details here so that fellow League players can support the business.
ReplyDeleteThank You, JAM Tennis and Fitness is located right outside Sugar Creek Subdivision on Hwy 59/Dairy Ashford. Our Store is directly behind the Sugar Creek Country Club Tennis Courts. We very much cater to most of our local players and coaches. Please give us a call you playes need any Gear (281) 242-6000 or check out the website at www.jamtennisandfitness.com
DeletePLS MENTION THIS BLOG AND YOU WILL RECEIVED DISCOUNTS ON APPAREL, SHOES AND RACQUETS.
What kind of discount?
DeleteCome see me at the store and you will not be dissapointed.
DeleteWho's this Matthew Wooley dude? Impressive start to the League season for him with a win over Muhala and a blowout against Westen.
ReplyDeleteHe played at Katy Taylor for Kniffen.
ReplyDeleteWooley is a self rate so sure NWO Captain is all over protesting him at this point. If not, sure 3 strikes will be in his future
ReplyDeleteThere were at least a couple of 4.0s in the Coke who I think would have beat Le, they just did not play him, so his running through the Coke and then losing a couple of 4.0 league matches is not a shock and does not necessarily mean that all "tournament" 4.0s are a joke and can't hang in league.
ReplyDeleteJust another condescending remark by Htown. Phuong plays his ass off. Is it all that hard to just say nice job and be done with it without all the nasty, unnecessary comments?
ReplyDeleteI remember Htown congratulating him when he won the Coke. That comment doesn't seem nasty to me. Unnecessary maybe. But mostly everything on this blog is.
ReplyDeleteHRC = CRUSHED BY BLACK SHEEP
ReplyDeletePlease STFU about "Aren't we good?"
Answer === NO
Checked out the scores of the HRC-Black Sheep match. Houston Racquet Club indeed got smashed and totaled a whooping 17 games against the Sheep. Another good example of how folks who have never fielded a 4.5 summer team underestimate how tough summer league is.
ReplyDeleteBlacksheep have a lot of depth this year it's scary. They will contend with any team in Houston.
ReplyDeleteFrom early outlook, looks like Houston dug deep to strengthen our 4.5 chances at State level. Looks lime much deeper teams.
ReplyDeleteDallas will always be tough.
Don't look now but the Clambakes in division 3 are 2-0 and play the Sugar Creek Titan Jam next week.
ReplyDeleteLOL. The Clambakes could barely beat the JCC B-team at LLTC.
ReplyDeleteExpect them to end up 0-6 against the Sugar Creek, Chancellor and Lakeside. One win against any of those teams would be a titanic upset.
great matchups this week:
ReplyDeletediv1: schwingers vs dbags- dbags win 3-2
div2: canes vs blast- blast win 3-2
Expect some additions to the Hurricanes roster this week. if Hurricanes can win a singles line they could pull an upset. Blast are 2/1 favorite right now.
ReplyDeleteHurricanes in a walk. Every year we hear about the demise of the Hurricanes and every year he goes to sectionals. Hurricanes will have a line-up to deal with Blast (expect several self-rates).
ReplyDeleteBlast are a lot stronger this year. They ditched Rios.
ReplyDeletefor the first time, in years, i dont think hurricanes are a clear cut top 3 team, but they will definitely make city
ReplyDeleteOK 4.0 bloggers let's get registered for the Copperfield Open.
ReplyDeleteHere's the link: http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/tournamenthome_New/tournament.aspx?T=113402
Tournament ID; 809620712
Bring your A-Game!
M. Salinas (Winning Ugly) :)
Is Salinas the guy that has the annoting on court whining grunts? Just a year ago he was playing at 4.5 City playoffs. Now he is a top 4.0? That is winning ugly.
ReplyDeleteThat could be Tommy Sawaya you're thinking of
ReplyDeleteTommy grunts, Mike whines. Together they make one hell of a doubles team.
ReplyDeleteI would not call that doubles, more like 2 singles players on the court at the same time. And Mike has more of a Deliverance Squeal goin on than a whine.
ReplyDeleteWho are good individual matchups this week in singles? Team scouting, any protests of self-rates yet?
ReplyDeleteCopperfield Lobsters get a BYE
JCC Blast and Hurricanes - best of the week (at LLTC)
Looks like Clambake Div III 2-0 start comes to an end
Black Sheep at Cinco Ranch, Ram better bring the sink and Agoglia at peak
Sienna vs Unicorns in 4.0. Unicorns sweep. We are the best!
ReplyDeleteI thought sienna quit league?
ReplyDeleteWith both salinas and kallus playing league we will get the chance to see if your insults directed at "tournament" 4.0s are justified or not.
ReplyDeleteSalinas is old and loud on the court. Not a factor in 4.0. Kallus is a journeyman asking to be sent back to 3.5 league.
ReplyDeletesienna still sucks
ReplyDelete