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You asked for it - you got it. There is a lot more bonus footage we are going to put on the site this week including a tournament review video, more interviews, plus a special segment where we go onto the practice court with Amer Delic and Bobby Reynolds as they work on their game.
What a fantastic week. It just blew me away. So much fun, so much tennis, and worldwide love from all you guys! Give yourself a big pat on the back for being part of the online revolution of tennis coverage. Over the next few days I am going to be adding more video highlights that got missed in the frenetic mayhem of the tournament. Keep posting on here, keep checking the front page for more video, and stay in touch OK! Now, it’s time to get some shut eye.
The moment is here. This is a huge opportunity for both players to get this year really rolling. The crowd is buzzing and we are sooooooooo ready for a great match. Bring it!!!!!
DORSCH TO SERVE
1-0 DORSCH - The Gladiator fininshes the first point at the net after an ad court point where he dominated with forehands. He needs more of that tonight. Dorsch had a great 1st game and looks very solid. Much different than his semi final match
2-0 DORSCH - Robert starts with a double fault. Energy is all with Maximus. Robert misses a backhand sitter volley long and looks tight. Bene chips and charges on a second serve and Robert nets it. It’s 0-40. Ace wide from Robert. Robert hits a forehand long and it’s a slow start from Robert and Bene looks fantastic.
2-1 DORSCH - Back on serve. Robert got down early and came out swinging in that game. Bene still has the momentum, but it’s more back to normal now.
2-2 A deuce game. The Gladiator seems to be handling Robert’s serve with ease. Robert still looks tentative. Robert won by coming to the net and it’s clear he wants the ad court to try and pound the Gladiator’s backhand.
3-2 KENDRICK - Robert is really starting to come in more in the ad court and it’s tough for Bene to hit a passing shot off such a hard ball. Robert nailed a forehand return winner to break and Robert definitely now has the momentum.
4-2 KENDRICK - Aces galore down the T - 3 of them. Robert’s confidence is flying now.
4-3 KENDRICK - The Gladiator was down 0-30 but got it back to deuce. He made an incredible low backhand volley that had the crowd on their feet. Robert had a break point but went for too much too soon and netted backhand down the line. The Gladiator hung in there, but would have been in a world of hurt if that game had got away.
5-3 KENDRICK - Robert’s serve is on and he is coming forward at every available opportunity. He is playing grass court tennis so he does not have to get into a knife fight from the base line with the Gladiator.
6-3 KENDRICK - Robert started the set as tight as a drum but has rolled since half way through the set. He is serving big and that is allowing him to swing freely. Robert in total control.
SECOND SET
1-0 DORSCH (with a break) - The Gladiator breaks and is pumped. An excellent first game to break serve with some low rolling shots at Robert’s feet at the net.
2-0 DORSCH - The Gladiator is yelling out after winning big points and has awesome body language right now. He needs to keep his energy up and keep bringing it to Robert, who is starting to get down on himself a little.
2-1 DORSCH (with a break) Robert had a better game coming forward but Bene’s body langauge and positive energy is dominating.
2-2 Back on serve and Robert is on the full offense again. Bene has got to keep him back if he has any chance in this match.
3-2 KENDRICK - This is the first set all over again. Early break to the Gladiator and back comes Robert with a net game that is just too powerful at the moment. Robert is up a set and has momentum back and looks solid.
3-2 STILL - The Gladiator led 40-0 but two punishing forehand return of serve winners and another big forehand gave Robert 4 break points that he was unlucky not to convert. Bene is starting to lose his cool with all the pressure of saving so many break points in this game. Bene got totally ripped with a line call and the crowd has all piled onto the umpire. A really bad call. Bene has now called the trainer as he injured his back a few points ago. He looks in a lot of pain and the trainer is out. It’s deuce.
3-3 On serve but Bene is definitely injured - lower back. He can’t move well at all.
4-3 KENDRICK - An easy service game agaisnt an injured opponent. This could slip in a hurry.
5-3 KENDRICK - Bene can’t move and lost his serve to love. This match is done.
5-4 KENDRICK - WOW! Robert had 2 match points serving and definitely got a little tight around the collar. Bene looks envigorated by the break and if his back can serve, then he may be back from the dead.
6-4 KENDRICK - Bene could not hit anything but 2nd serves and Robert played a good game to win. Congratulations Robert on a great tournament. Bad luck Bene - you did yourself proud as well.
Robert Kendrick vs Zack Fleishman Live - By Craig O’Shannessy
The national anthem has just been sung, the players are warming up, the crowd is filling to capacity, the ballboys are ready to go - it’s all happening here in Dallas on a Friday night!
I can’t speak for the rest of the free word, but I am really hoping for a three set derby. The "Eye of the Tiger" is pumping through the sound system and the adrenelin is flowing. I am readyyy!!!!
1-0 Zack - A very impressive opening service game from Zack. He look ready to avenge his bicycle (6-0, 6-0) loss to Robert last year.
1-1 Easy hold Robert - no surprise, not a lot of rallys early.
2-1 Zack - Zack made a couple of unforced errors and opened the door for some break point opportunities for Robert. This was a long game, and you already feel that Kendrick has the momentum. Zack is missing too many first serves.
2-2 Robert has a solid hold. This is the calm before the storm.
3-2 Zack - Zack again saves break points and is doing it hard at the moment. Robert is like a leopard pouncing on every ball, sometimes making, a few times missing. It’s on serve but Zack is doing nothing to really make head way into Robert’s service games.
3-3 Another easy hold for Robert. His serve is clicking and ripping foreahands.
4-3 Zack - A slightly easier hold and at least Zack is not a break down. Things can turn in a hurry in a match like this, but at the moment Robert has the momentum. Zack looks solid mentally and now we are getting down to the sharp end of the set - a well played match so far.
4-4 Very routine. Robert has not had a problem on serve so far.
5-4 Zack - Zack is once again the coal miner going about his job. Nothing flashy, a little dirty, but nothing to write home about. The fact he is only 4 points from the set is typical of his no nonsense attitude.
5-5 Zack gets totally ripped when he had set point and Robert’s serve was a huge let, but was not called. It was a bad miss by the umpire. To Zack’s credit, he didn’t get down about it.
6-5 Zack - Momentum has turned and Zack has it now, but only by a whisker. Who was it that predicted a tiebreaker in the first set?
6-6 Buster. Now it’s time to earn your money.
1-1 on serve
2-2 on serve
3-2 zack on serve
4-2 zack - you can feel him rolling now.
4-3 Zack
5-3 Zack - Robert just missed a sitter volley -wow
5-4 Zack on serve - bad unforced error for Zack
5-5 Robert attacks the net and forces an error
6-5 Robert - return long from zack
6-6 zack comes in and robert just misses wide with a forehand cross pass - tensionnnnnnnnnnnnnn
7-6 zack
7-7 ace from robert
8-7 robert- they both ended up at the net - robert got lucky
8-8 robert shanked a return - bad miss
9-8 zack - he comes in and roberts pass hits the tape
9-9 ace from robert - big time down the middle
10-9 robert - zack hits a backhand return long
10-10 robert hits a wild pass thats hits the fence
11-10 robert - he serves for it
12-10 robert - ace down the T
First set is a ripper!
SECOND SET
1-0 Robert - This is really turning into a great match. Both guys are playing very well.
1-1 OK - routine hold for both players to start the set
2-1 Kendrick - PAUL PISANI (Robert Kendrick’s coach) "So far it has been really close. Robert got a little lucky with Zack missing a couple of crucial forehands in the breaker and was able to capitalise with some great serving near the end of the breaker."
2-2 Zack hold to love. It’s almost like these guys are giving each other their service games at the moment .
3-2 Kendrick - Robert holds to love and nobody has won a point on the opponents serve in the 2nd set. Bizarre after such a tight first set.
3-3 A solid hold from Zach and the first 6 games of the second set have gone quicker than the 1st set tiebreaker. Momentum is 50-50.
4-3 Kendrick - this is a race to the end of the set.
4-4 Zack saves a break point and things are getting very tight in a hurry. Zack is attack well.
5-4 Fleishman - Robert saves two break points down 15-40. This was Zack’s big opportunity, and he did take it off a 2nd serve but just missed wide. Zack had a third break point but missed a backhand cross pass in the net. Now a fourth break point and Zack is too solid for Robert and breaks him. Patience finally pays off.
5-5 Zack played a bad game and basically gave the game back. His worst game by far of the match with unforced errors.
6-5 Kendrick - Robert holds to love with an ace and what should have been the second set for Zack is now a bloody street battle for the 2nd set.
6-6 Zack hold so easy. Who predicted two tiebreakers?
2ND SET TIEBREAKER
1-0 Zack - with a break - Robert misses a short forehand
1-1 Zack misses an easy forehand
2-1 Robert - Forehand return scorching return winner
3-1 Kendrick - Serve and volley works
3-2 Kendrick - Robert misses a sitter short forehand in the net
3-3 Robert gets a bad line call - Zack needs to make the most of this opportunity.
4-3 Zack - a great hustle to a short ball and bunt winner passing shot
4-4 ace T robert
5-4 kendrick - ace T robert
5-5 return error from robert
6-5 Zack - easy overheag winner
6-6 big serve forced error.
7-6 Zack - backhand winner crosscourt right in the corner - zinger!!!
8-6 Zach 2nd set - Ace - WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
Ladies and Gentleman - we have got ourselves a heavyweight encounter right now. This is awesome. Zach is more solid mentally than Robert ,which is why he won the 2nd set. Robert is hitting more winners, but is that going to win him the match??? Stay tuned!
3RD SET BABY!
1-0 Zack on serve. A deuce game that Zack was more mentally tougher on. No loose errors.
1-1 Routine by Robert
2-1 Zack - easy hold once again at the start of the match
2-2 Robert breezes.
3-2 Kendrick - That’s A Break. Robert’s pressure pays off. Robert’s coach, Paul Pisani just bought Robert a full cup of iced coffee for some energy.
3-3 - Zack has two break points in this game and converts on the second as Robert bangs a backhand down the line into the net.
4-3 Kendrick - Zack makes an unforced error on his forehand, then a double fault, then Zack feels he gets ripped off on a call to go down 0-40. Then Zack makes an easy unforced forehand approach error down the line and Robert has all the momentum right now.
5-3 Kendrick - A good fight and a very tight game. Zack had his chances.
5-4 Kendrick - Boy do I love a match that comes down to the wire. Who has the G&D to get over the line when only a point or two seperates winning and losing. Robert is in the drivers seat here, but don’t be surprised if Zack breaks. We love these guys here in Big D!
15- 0 Ace T
30 - 0 Forehand return error
40-0 Forehand return error
40-15 Forehand return winner
Game set match - Forehand return error
Kendrick vs Dorsch in the final - its going to be a barn burner!
The guys have just walked out -- lets get ready to rumbbblllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dorsch won the toss and elected to serve. This is going to be a ripper.
1-0 Gladiator - 1st point - Maximus comes forward and hits a swinging volley winner. He came in a few other points and is really tightening the screws early.
2-0 Gladiator - Marcus is serving very softly and his shoulder is obviously injured from all the tennis. His serves are extremely soft, but he can still rip groundies. I can’t see Marcus holding serve too much today if this is all his shoulder can deliver.
2-1 Gladiator - It’s always tough to play someone who is injured. This was one of those games. Benedikt has not figured out fully how to take advantage of his injured opponent and played a loose service game and got broken.
3-1 Gladiator - He breaks The Big Cat again. Poor Marcus has little shoulder movement above his head so all he has is his groundies.
3-2 Gladiator - Another break. The Big Cat can’t hit a serve but his groundies are on fire and his backhand down the line is producing winners. It’s a very weird match since Marcus is injured, but only injured with one particular stroke.
3-3 - The Big Cat holds serve for the first time and Gladiator hasn’t figured out how to play the Swede. They are still both feeling the other out. It’s like the match has not really started yet.
4-3 Gladiator on serve. Some good baseline rallys with not too much power. Just a lot of massaging of the ball. This style of play is definitely favoring the Swede. Quite a few drop shots as well.
4-4 You definitely get the feel that the off pace serves are now working to The Big Cat’s advantage. Bene would much rather have power coming to him, and he is overhitting returns and making unforced errors.
5-4 Gladiator - The Big Cat wants ad court points and is mainly getting them at the moment. Bene doesn’t have a lot rhythm in his game with all the off pace balls. They are both still feeling each other out, like a couple of boxers circling each other in the ring. No blows have landed yet.
6-4 Gladiator. Bene finally got a deuce court point and Marcus missed down the line. A really weird set.
SECOND SET - DORSCH TO SERVE
1-0 Gladiator - He seems to have settled down a bit and is being more patient with the adsence of pace in the match. Things are starting to slide a little for the galant Swede.
2-0 Gladiator - This match seems like it is being played in first gear after the Kendrick/Warburg slug fest last night. Marcus still is basically serving "third" serves around 50mph, but Bene is not stepping into it for fear of overhitting. It’s now a set and a break.
3-0 Gladiator - It’s one way traffic. Maximus took a tumble but dusted himself off and all is ok. There is a little more power in the rallys which is favoring the German.
3-1 Gladiator - A loose game from Bene and the Swede is still alive. Remember he came back from 3-0 down in the third against Ram. But he was not in the Colosseum against one of the best warriors in the Roman Empire.
3-2 Gladiator - Just when you thought the sword was going to pierce the Swede’s heart, he breaks serve. This is a gutsy peformance to hang in there with a broken wing. Ad court points are really in the The Big Cat’s favor.
3-3 Bene Dorsch has really gone off on the umpire over a line call. You can tell it’s the frustration of having these Swedish meatballs hit and no pace to work with. Bene has really lost his cool at the moment. I have rarely seen The Gladiator so upset.
4-3 Gladiator - The Gladiator is frustrated beyond belief. He has no pace to work with, an opponent who is pushing and won’t miss and the pressure is building. He can’t find a place on the court to hit a winner when the ball is coming so slow. The match is now being completely played on The Big Cat’s terms. It’s super tight and he had to come back from 0-30 to win that game.
4-4 - Marcus has the momentum. Bene is arguing line calls and is only pushing the soft serves back. This is going to be a crackerjack end to the set.
5-4 Gladiator on serve. It feels like Marcus is injured physically and Benedikt is doing all he can not to be injured mentally by the frustrating dinner of Swedish meatballs. This is a battle royale that we don’t usually see on a tennis court.
6-4 Gladiator - What a tough match. Off for the interview.
#225 Benedikt Dorsch (GER) vs #422 Marcus Sarstrand (SWE)
The Big Cat versus The Gladiator. This is going to be awesome. Both players are solid as a rock, keep their heads, and play great tennis. The favorite will definitely be Dorsch. Marcus has played 6 matches, coming through qualifying, and has to be hurting physically. It’s a tough grind to play that much, and then have to face Maximum in the Coliseum in Dallas. I predict 6-3, 7-5 for Dorsch
#85 Robert Kendrick vs. #154 Zack Fleishman.
The last time these guys played, which was last year, Robert gave Zack the bicycle – 0 and 0. Maybe Zack just got off the plane, or had spinal surgery. You can be assured this one is going to be very different. Zack is playing the best tennis of his career and has an excellent game to counter Robert’s first strike offense. This match is going to be a tug of war between two very in form players. When you watch the NBA or the NFL, you will always hear that once the playoffs arrive, good defense always beats good offense. Well, we are now in the semi’s, which qualifies as the playoffs. If Zack can negate Robert’s power and frustrate him between points, the favorite could be on the receiving end. I predict an upset - Zack wins 7-6 (8), 7-6 (10).
#225 Benedickt Dorsch (GER) def #335 Todd Widom (USA) 6-4, 6-4. Benedickt is the Gladiator. He is the Dallas version of Maximus with his dominating court presence and relentless pressure. The guy is an animal. He was too mentally strong for Todd and, when push came to shove at the end of both sets, Maximus was left standing in the center of the arena with racket held high in triumph. He is hitting the ball so cleanly, in injury free and is aas hungry as a lion. Ohh, and he went to Baylor, so that helps too.
#422 Marcus Sarstrand (SWE) def #200 Rajeev Ram (USA) 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (4). What a crackerjack match. For me, the match of the tournament. My hat goes off to both these guys. Both guys are total class and a role model for every junior on the planet. Marcus started hot and rolled through the first set with his backhand firing winners at will. Rajeev was so composed. He hung in there, and to his credit, got up early in the second and rolled. Rajeev then went up 3-0 in the third and Marcus “Big Cat” summoned all his energy for one last go. Next thing you know we are in a tiebreaker. Rajeev had a mini break early, but it was the patience and angles of The Big Cat that got him over the line. Both guys were winners today. I am voting them both into the Dallas Challenger Hall of Fame.
#154 Zack Fleishman (USA) def #82 Simon Greul (GER) 7-5, 7-6 (4). Zack Fleishman will wake up Monday morning with the highest ranking of his life at the age of 26. Congrats mate, you deserve it. Zach is The Silent Assassin of the tournament and is so blue collar, he feels like an Alaskan Tuna Fisherman. No fuss. No bother. All work. Simon played well in patches, spoke a lot of frustrated German in patches, and in general did not compete well enough today to beat Zack.
This is our feature match of the evening. Both players are in form, both are wearing yellow, and both are going to hit the salt water out of the ball.
Kendrick to Serve 1st.
*** TBarM member and front row tennis junkie, David Glatstein, is already off the charts supporting Robert in the first point. It’s going to be a long match.
1-0 Kendrick - This is first strike tennis. Both guys are trying to rip it early in the point. Sam doesn’t look sharp with a couple of basic unforced errors, but then again neither does Robert. Three deuces.
1-1 - Robert is trying to get to the net at every opportunity and is preferring to go deep to Sam’s backhand. Sam saves a break point with an ace out wide.
2-1 Robert - It’s serve and volley and power tennis right now. Short points.
3-1 Kendrick - Robert bangs a return of serve for a winner down the line. There hasn’t been a rally past 4 shots so far. These guys are hitting it hard and deep and Robert definitely has the momentum right now even though the score is even.
TBARM JUNIOR JESSICA ALEXANDER (Current Orange Bowl 16&Under Doubles Champ)
Jessica’s Match Analysis - "They have a similar style of game and both players are trying to attack their opponent’s backhand with their forehand. Whoever finishes the point with a strong forehand to the ad side wins the point.
Thanks Jessica!!!!!
AMER DELIC just arrived. "Robby is seeing melons out there. I think he is hitting a clean ball and it’s all thanks to the great warm up I gave him today."
4-1 Robert - Load both barrels and fire them at once. We are breaking the speed limit on every point.
AMER DELIC - "This has happened the last matches for Robby. He gets up early in matches but he lets the outside factors get to him and he loses focus and then he has to fight back a little bit. He is arguing with the chair umpire right there on a 40-0 point on Sam’s serve which is a waste of energy. I should be the one learning from my own preaching. It’s so easy to see it from the side." Kendrick now leads 5-2.
5-3 Kendrick - A good hold from Sam with power 1st serves. He needs to break now.
6-3 Kendrick - Robert came to play, but like Amer says, he needs to keep his head. Let’s see what happens in the the second.
AMER’S COMMENTS - "I think Rob won the first set because he is being a little more aggressive and more efficient at it. I think that Sam is being over aggressive in a way that he is over hitting the ball and that is not his game. I think the beginning of the second set is importnant because Robby has the momentum and we will see if he can keep it rolling or will he have to fight back. I don’t think he has been down all tournament."
SECOND SET - Sam serving 1st.
1-0 Warburg - A solid hold. It feel slike the calm before the storm.
2-1 SAM - ILIJA BOZOLJAC HERE - "I think that Kendrick is not playing that well now. He is not moving and not preparing on the ball so well, and Sam is also not at 100% either. The match could be better, but it’s good because the score is tight, so it’s intersting for the crowd."
2-2 AMER IS BACK - "Robert is using the drop shot well as Sam is standing forced back with the power."
ILIJA BOZOLJAC HERE - "I think we need a speed gun and cheerleaders next year, then I for sure won’t lose first round."
AMER - We are in our fifth deuce in this game and I think if Rob takes the game he is going to run away with it, but if Sam takes it, the dogfight is going to continue."
3-2 Warburg - AMER - "I thought Robert had some chances on the deuce points and now he finds himself struggling."
3-3 - AMER - Held to love. "I was surprised at the easy hold by Robert. It’s a good sign he did not lose his focus."
4-3 Warburg - JESSICA ALEXANDER - "They are on serve but Robby knows he should be at least 5-2 right now. He is getting frustrated at the past and throwing his racket a little."
5-4 Warburg - JESSICA ALEXANDER - "I predict Robert will get broken and lose the set because of his attitude."
5-5 AMER - "A strong hold by Robert. He is already carried that momentum into the return game and now it’s 0-30.
6-5 Kendrick Serving - ILIJA BOZOLJAC HERE - "Kendrick is trying more for his points and the other guy is just waiting for Kendrick’s mistakes and has no pressure. If he wants to change the scoreboard, he should play more aggressive."
Ram vs Sarstrand Match Analysis by Craig O’Shannessy
1-0 Marcus - It’s on already. The second coming of Miloslav Mecir is on fire at the start and broke Rajeev. Marcus looks solid.
1-1 Marcus double faults to lose his serve. Groundies are on for Marcus - serve is not there yet.
2-1 Marcus - The Big Cat breaks again, to 0. His backhand is his stronger shot, but Rajeev is playing it too much. Marcus looks like his world ranking is #3 at the moment. He looks like he is in slow motion while Rajeev collects frequent flyer points running side to side.
3-1 Marcus holds to love. Rajeev has won 4 points in 4 games and this is going faster than a freight train down a mine shaft with a tail wind!
5-2 The Big Cat. The Swede is in total control here. Rajeev comes to the net - gets passed. Rajeev tries to rally - makes an error. The only thing in Rajeev’s favour is his solid mental game. He is still well in the match mentally and he is hanging around hoping Marcus climbs back out of his tree.
5-3 Rajeev breaks. Rajeev is so impressive in how he is getting completely outplayed here in the first set, but you would never know it from his body language. It you just walked in, you may even thing Rajeev is winning. A class act.
6-3 Big Cat - Marcus is en fuego. This is such a great match with two really tough competitors not giving an inch. Rajeev is getting outplayed physically but he is right there mentally.
2-0 Ram. Rajeev’s mental discipline is starting to pay off and Marcus is just missing - I mean he has missed 5 shots in the past 12 points, all by less than 6 inches. And to his credit, he has not let the close calls get to him. Excellent tennis!
This is an awesome match. Rajeev has slowly worked his way back into it with The Big Cat just missing. Mental toughness at it’s best right here.
3-0 Ram. So so soooooooooo impressed with how Rajeev has mentally willed himself back into this match. Just broke again after about a 10 deuce game with both guys painting the lines and rock solid.
4-0 Ram - Marcus has definitely fallen out of his tree and is missing a lot more. Credit Rajeev for applying that pressure. The more matches I see here, the more I am convinced that the guy who keeps his head and constantly applys pressure wins. Mental Toughness at its best.
4-1 Ram - Rajeev was way too loose in that game.
4-2 Ram - Momentum is changing and Rajeev is missing. All matches have an ebb and flow and this one is coming back to Marcus a little at the moment.
YOU HAVE ALWAYS GOT TO EXPECT YOUR OPPONENT TO COME BACK AT YOU AT SOME STAGE!
4-3 Ram - Marcus is down but he has found his backhand again and Rajeev is pressing too much. Very tight right now.
5-3 Ram - The momentum is split 50-50 right now. Both players are battling so hard, neither at the top of their game. It is totally a battle of wills.
6-3 Ram - Good form Rajeev. He never gave up early when the barrage was on and he has been rewarded with the second set. The trainer has been called to the court for The Big Cat.
1-0 Ram - Marcus has a sore shoulder that needs attention at the end of the set. He is playing his 6th match here, including qualies, and its finally catching up to him. It is definitely affecting his serve.
2-0 Ram - Rajeev is now in the box seat up a break in the third with an injured opponent. It would have been so easy for Rajeev to go in the first set when he was getting killed. It’s a pity there are not more players here in Dallas with his attitude.
3-0 Ram. Marcus’ injury is taking its toll. This is a big hole he now needs to climb out of against a mentall tough opponent.
3-1 Ram - Marcus holds serve - this match is not over yet!
3-2 Ram - back on serve. Rajeev decided to come to the net a lot against The Big Cat’s backhand which was a costly mistake. He had to hit a lot of half volleys that were too tough to control.
3-3 - With a wounded wing and down and out, Marcus is fighting like crazy and the third set is dead even on the scoreboard and also with momentum. It’s anyone’s pick right now.
4-3 Marcus. The Big Cat Fightttttsssss. This is a ripper. Rajeev has started to press and miss and now he feels Marcus charging like a bull to the finish line. Both players are tired, but neither of them have lost their cool - not for a second. Rajeev is still well in the match. Wow - this is awesome!
4-4 A couple of costly errors from Marcus and we are all tied up again. Rajeev continues to impress with his determination.
5-4 Ram On Serve - Rajeev served and volleyed a lot this game. It worked great off his first serve, but he got passed twice off the second. A costly double fault at 40-30 sapped some of his momentum. Rajeev hit an ace out wide at Ad In to win the game.
5-5 Bloody Hell this is good. Marcus went more on the offense in this game and forced errors. Both players look tired physically but so so strong mentally. I can’t imagine either of them cracking here. This match is going to be decided by who can make their shots on the big points. Thrilling!!!
6-5 Ram On Serve - A tight game with a blown line call. This is a game of inches. The tension is amazing as both players are hitting the ball so cleanly and have such fight.
6-6 Marcus holds easily.
TIEBREAKER
1-0 Ram - Rajeev serves and volleys and Marcus hits a lob long.
1-1 Rajeev hits a backhand return long. Costly easy error.
2-1 Ram - Rajeev has the mini break as Marcus gets caught coming forward and makes a backhand error.
2-2 Rajeev serves and volleys and Marcus hits an unconscious 2nd shot rolling forehand pass.
3-2 Sarstrand - Marcus nails a backhand down the line that Rajeev can only throw his racket at and hit long. Marcus has a mini break.
3-3 Some slice backhands crosscourt and Rajeev has a sneak attack to the net and hits a great backhand volley at Marcus’ feet that he can’t handle.
4-3 Sarstrand - Marcus hits a great wide slice and Rajeev hits a forehand return long.
5-3 Sarstrand - Rejeev serve and volleyed and Marcus hit an incredible backhand pass to set up a forehand winner.
5-4 Sarstrand - Rajeev serve and volleyed and Marcus hit a 2nd forehand long.
6-4 Sarstrand - A long point in the ad court and Rajeev gets impatient and trys to pull the trigger on a backhand and misses just long. Not patient enough.
7-4 Sarstrand - Rajeev hits his forehand return error in the net.
WOW - One of the best matches ever in the history of the Dallas Challenger. Just interviewed Marcus and will be back to you shortly.
Zack just broke to love to go up 4-2. his steps from Simon being up 40-0 on Zack’s last serve and losing 5 straight points. Now Simon is arguing with umpires and in a funk.
This is a tight see-sawing match with quite a few breaks of serve. Zack plays with next to no emotion on the court, which sort of bores opponent and lulls them into a false sense of security. Zack is the Silent Assassin.
I would like to dedicate this live match post of the Dorsch vs Widom to Leonardo in Canada. Good on ya little fella.
Dorsch is Gladiator for obvious reasons. The guy is an animal on the court and oozes the warrior attitude. Todd Widom is Baby Huey. In his last victory of Amer Delic, Todd had an aggressive in your face attitude with fist pumping and yelling out, like Lleyton Hewitt. So he is Baby Huey.
Let’s have some fun with this :-)
1-0 Baby Huey with the break. Gladiator led 40-15 and it looked like it was going to be a routine hold, but Baby Huey is throwing the kitchen sink at the backhand and forced some errors. Intense start!!!
2-2 Solid game with no errors dominated with the serve.
1-1 Back on serve. Baby Huey coughs up a couple of unforced errors. It’s very clear that the ad court is where all the action is going to be in this encouter.
2-1 Gladiator and he has wrestled the momentum back. He is now controlling the ad court with his forehand. It’s amazing to see that Dorsch has already gone to Plan B in response to Baby Huey’s Plan A. Let’s look for the next adjustment.
2-2 A routine hold by Baby Huey with a high 1st serve %.
3-2 Gladiator. Baby Huey has gone to Plan B which is to step in more and hit harder. A more aggressive game plan is evident. Gladiator countered with 1st serves.
3-3. First serve percentage for both guys is high. A good quality match.
4-3 Gladiator. Gladiator saved a break point with a big 1st serve. His coach, Jean-Luc Fontanot is sitting here with me and said the keys to this match for the German are 1st serve %, keep it deep to Baby Huey’s backhand and not to let him "punch" the ball and stay tough in the rallies.
4-4 It’s soooooooooo tight. Baby Huey has adapted again and is not making unforced errors - not trying to finish the point so quickly and it’s working.
5-4 Gladiator. A high level of tennis and intensity. You can feel something is going to happen here in a sec.
6-4 Gladiator
1st point Gladiator comes to net and wins the point with an overhead. Great pressure.
2nd point Baby Huey comes to net and can’t dig out a low volley.
3nd point - Baby Huey goes for too much down the line
4th point - Baby Huey goes for too much crosscourt.
You could feel the pressure building and building and you know Gladiator thrives in this situation. He is so good at staying tight in the set and turning it up a level at the end. Year’s of boot camp in Waco under Super Coach Matt Knoll have made him tough as nails.
SECOND SET
1-0 Gladiator on serve. The snowball is starting to roll down the hill and it’s getting bigger and bigger. How do you find a crack in the armour of the Gladiator????
1-1
1st point double fault by Baby Huey
2nd point loose forehand. The wolves are starting to howl in his head and is lucky not to get a warning for an audible obscenity I heard from the other end of the court.
But Baby Huey makes a few balls and scrapes out of the game.
2-1 Gladiator. Baby Huey is starting to pretend his racquet is a beach ball and is testing how well it will bounce. Gladiator has all the momentum in this match, is winning the mental battle and looks far more composed. Baby Huey has got to get his head together as I don’t feel any game plan from him at all. He is just reacting to Maximus.
3-1 Gladiator. Baby Huey has lost the plot. He has cracked. Screaming out, arguing with the umpire, slamming balls into the roof. The relentless, dogged pressure from Maximus is almost too much to bear.
4-1 Gladiator - Held to love. This is a procession down a one way street. It’s all about relentless, constant, never ending, unstoppable, pressure. This is now a clinic in how do break down your oppoent’s game and then their mind and the wolves are constantly howling in Baby Huey’s head. Pity.
4-2 Gladiator. Maximus made a couple of easy unforced errors. Nothing has really changed.
4-3 Gladiator. Two things have happened. Gladiator has taken his foot off the pedal at the exact time Baby Huey is so far down (set and 4-1), and has nothing to lose, so he is just swinging for the fences and they are going on. Result - break. Can Baby Huey still play like this as the score gets tighter..... stay tuned!
4-4 Baby Huey is being forced into a corner and being made to come up with some big shots - down the line winners - and is currently making them. The match has tightened right up. Great crowd here, great atmosphere!!!
5-4 Gladiator. The flashy winners from Baby Huey dried up this game and the unforced erros have returned. Gladiator holds to love and now is the moment of truth for Baby Huey. Can he keep his head screwed on long enough to stay in this set????
6-4, 6-4 Gladiator.
0-15 easy unforced forehand error.
0-30 easy unforced forehand error
0-40 Gladiator grinds side to side and forces an error deep in the forehand corner.
Game Set Match - Gladiator comes up with a ripper backhand pass.
Going for the post match interview - i shall return.
MATCH SUMMARY
In a nutshell, Todd cracked and Benedikt didn’t. Benedikt was tougher between points. His body language was 1000 times better. His strategy was more dominant, and he countered his opponent’s moves. When crunch time came, at 4-4 in both sets, Benedikt was the Gladiator, he was Maximus, and he stood tall under pressure. Todd is a very, very good player who is on the improve, but that improvement will only be a quick as he can control his emotions on the court. When the wolves howl, strategy goes out the window.
Thanks for following this match update, and Leonardo, good luck from all of us here in Dallas for your first provincial tournament in Canada this weekend.
I am really happy there were some posts last night and today regarding what I wrote about the Donald Young match last night. Two comments stood out to me.
1. "Pretty scathing comments for Donald Young".
2. That was just about the coolest, off-the-wall, play-by-play analysis i have ever read. Really harsh on the boy, but it looks like you get fired up when talent goes a wasting.
Let me now give you some final thoughts.
I posted that message quite a while after the match ended and just as we were about to leave, Donald and his mother appeared. He had been involved in a television interview for about an hour. Hats off to both of them for coming to see me.
So we sat down and started the interview. It was only going to be for about two minutes and then we were all going home. It was a big day, and it was late and we were all dead tired.
So we chatted for quite a while, probably more than 10 minutes, and then turned the camera off. It was after 10.00pm.
Then something happened.
Donald started opening up a little.
He talked very candidly about his match, and his mother, Illona, also got involved. It was one of those times when a coach, a player and a mother all started to connect, and we really looked deeper for answers.
Answers to questions that have not been asked in a while.
I told them exactly what I had written in the blog, and why, and made it very clear that I wanted answers from Donald. Why did he lose? Why did he lose his cool? Why did he play without a plan? Why did he falter when the match was his for the taking? Why did he not trust himself when things got tight? Each answer he gave me, I drilled deeper. I made him really think. Really reflect. It was an amazing time.
People here at TBarM were closing up. It was a huge day, and by this time it was well after 11.00pm.
Everyone was so tired, but we stayed.
I got a key to lock up and we kept talking. We stayed until well after midnight and really peeled the layers off Donald Young’s tennis game, and in the process, touched on Donald Young the emerging man.
At around 12.20pm I told Donald and his mother that I would be back here at 8.00am this morning, and I would do my Brain Game presentation for him.
Donald and his mother had no idea what The Brain Game is, no idea really who in the world I was, but the night was proving so beneficial that we all agreed to go home, get a little sleep, and come back in a few hours.
At 8.00am Donald and Illona and I started my 2.5hr DVD session session called The Brain Game where you analyze strategy, and the mental and emotional aspects of tennis by watching parts of three Andre Agassi matches. After about 20 minutes, Donald could predict where Andre was going to hit every serve and indeed every shot in the rally. He loved it.
Donald figured out that Agassi plays with a plan.
Donald also figured out, clearly and simply, that he does not.
It was a phenonomal learning experience for the three of us, and I feel very grateful to have helped him in some small way.
So if you were wondering why my comments were so blunt and honest, it is because they need to be to force change.
Why dance around a topic when you can confront it head on?
Why massage an issue so critical as a player’s career when you can begin making changes this instant.
Yes, I do care when I see talent wasted, and Donald was doing that. He has an excellent bag of tools (forehand, backhand etc), but really does not know what to do with those tools.
Tennis is not about where you want to hit the ball. Tennis is about hitting it where your oppoent does not want it.
The No. 1 lesson he took away was that he was the second most important person on the court, not the first.
Well guys, we have just had four tiebreaks out of the past five sets. Todd Widom played extremely well, especially at the net and took it to Amer with some aggressive body language. The Ryderstedt/Warburg encounter was sensational with Ryderstedt saving 5 match points before going under. All four guys were really pumped up.
Zack Fleishman vs. Wayne Odesnik – Zack is the form player and is playing excellent first strike tennis. This will be close, but I can’t see Wayne getting over the line. Zack will win in straight sets because he is stronger between the points. 6-4, 6-4.
Michael Ryderstedt vs. Sam Warburg – Michael is gaining confidence with every round and should be too solid for Sam. Michael was constantly on the attack in the first round and dominated the net. If Sam is to get up in this match he’ll have to make very few unforced errors. 6-2, 7-5.
Amer Delic vs. Todd Widom – Amer pulled his best Houdini act to get out of his first round match. He should have built enough confidence from that match to take care of Todd in straight sets here. If Todd is to get over the line, he needs to return serve extremely well at Amer’s feet. Delic 6-3, 6-3.
OK - Here is the test. Yeah, we all know Donald Young has yet another wildcard. I don’t have enough fingers and toes in my immediate family to count the number of wilcards Hewitt got when he was starting out. The difference is what you do with them. I will keep you up to date with Donald’s quest for the second round against a really good opponent in Simon Greul. Don’t go to bed on me now!!!
Donald is up 2-0 but its much more that Simon is missing than Donald is making.
Donald 3-0 - Simon could not hit the ground if he fell out of an aeroplane at the moment. Donald does look good, but Simon looks more nervous playing the teen prodigy than anything else. Donald must think it’s his birthday at the moment.
Donald 3-1 - Simon still looks shell shocked. It’’s one way traffic.
Donald 4-1 - Simon is giving Donald a late Christmas present so far. Simon is going from bad to worse and is missing absolute sitters all over the court.
Donald 5-2 - Simon is still in a funk and Donald is solid. This is a weird match so far and the crowd is not really into it. Things may change.
Donald 5-4 on serve - Donald just spat it after he lost that game. Momentum has changed and Simon has his feet going.
5-5 I am sitting with former Notre Dame legend, Ron Rosas, who says the set should be over by now. Simon is moving better and Donald is playing so far back he is close to the ballboys.
Donald 6-5 - average tennis at best.
6-6 Tiebreak - Roll the dice right now - Greul 4-2 and solid all of a sudden.
Simon wins 7-6 - Simon could not have played a worse first set and won. What does that say...
There is no difference (yet) between the Donald Young that lost first round last year and this year. A lot of rookie mistakes, a lot of bad shot selections, and when you consider your opponent is not playing well, it’s not good. Donald is in desperate need of two things. 1. Positive body language and 2. Strategy.
Ok - Donald is down 0-1 Deuce. He comes to the net and hits an amazing half volley drop shot winner. The crowd goes bananas. Everyone thinks he is amazing. He has ad in. And double faults. You don’t win matches with your half volley drop shots.
2-2 Second set is unispiring, error riddle tennis. Donald is starting to let the German flow between points which is not a good sign.
Simon 3-2 - Donald had chances but again showed why he has not taken the next step to the pro level. Donald is fragile between points and gets down on himself very quickly. When he needs determination, he shows disappointment.
Simon 4-2 - Donald is still mad from the last game and it carried over to this game. He quickly went down 0-40 and the game was soon gone. The big gap between junior and pro tennis was seen very clearly in that game.
At 2-4 30-40 on Greul’s serve with Donald actually in a little bit of control, he trys to step in and hit a return winner. Quite simply ridiculous. Game Greul.
Match - In the end, once you strip away all the hype, we had a man play a boy tonight. Donald Young has made no progress in his critical areas since losing first round last year and that has to be a disappointment to everyone.
You never play one match when you come out here to comepete - you play 2. The first match is the one you play during the point, and the second (most important) is the one you play between points. Donald is still a junior between points. Every wildcard in the world will not fix this. Donald needs to be taught how to be tougher, how to grind, how to force the opponent into an error through sheer will.
Tonight Donald Young played an oppoent who was simply terrible in the first set, and lost. Tonight Donald Young focused too much on himself in the second set, and lost that too.
What is it going to take to turn this phenonomal talent into a winner? I have a few suggestions, but the mere fact that Donald did not turn up for the post match interview should speak volumes about his current state of affairs. The currency of tennis is hard work, not talent. Donald is at the crossroads at such a young age. Will he be the talent that John McEnroe predicted, or will he be merely a talented junior that could not break into the pro ranks?
Scoville Jenkins definitely looks like a better player this year. This match is really tight, but he has better composure at the start of the second.
OK - a set all and Bozaljac is fired up here. Scoville’s energy is headed in the wrong direction. His attitude after losing the second set was not good and he is in a real dog fight now against a pumped up opponent.
Scoville was able to get through by being tough at the end and saving some break points. Matches like these really do come down to a few points, and today, Scoville was tougher under pressure at the pointy end of the match. Good maturity.
Reynolds is looking very strong in the first set. He has been vocal after winning big points and Garcia-Lopez does not have a lot of fire in him. This is completely one way traffic at the moment.
Reynolds up two breaks in the second set. Garcia Lopez got a warning for hitting a ball boy (Brian Modic), so things are really not going his way. Reynolds is fired up!!
Game set match 1 and 0. Two hundred in the world spanks 60 in the world. Go figure....
I believe you are the moderator for the Challenger thread at your site. Could you please shoot me an email at your leisure? Thank you for your help in advance.
From Craig O’Shannessy - Tuesday’s Match Predictions
#159 Jesse Witten, United States vs. #85 Robert Kendrick, United States – This is going to be a hard hitting affair. Robert won the only time these guys played before last year in Louisville, KY, 6-3, 6-4. Jesse is 3-5 in his last 8 and definitely is the underdog here. If Robert can keep his cool he should get through.
#446 Donald Young, United States vs. #82 Simon Greul, Germany – Another wildcard for Donald Young and another tough first round draw. Simon Greul, the winner here in 2003, is back in form and has all the weapons to beat his younger opponent. What I want to see from this match is a lot of fight and determination from Donald and make the most of this wildcard opportunity. Body language will be a big thing to look for in this match. Whoever is stronger between points, will get to play another day.
#215 Hugo Armando, Brazil vs. #88 Amer Delic, United States – Amer Delic is an aggressive serve and volleyer playing indoors against a Brazilian. Before you pencil this in, you better think twice. This one has “danger” written all over it. Hugo loves the clay and if he can find game plan B, we could have a tight one.
#70 Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, Spain vs. #203Bobby Reynolds, United States – What a rip snorter of a first round match. Reynolds is a player with a capital P and Garcia Lopez has beaten the likes of Agassi. One thing you can be sure of is that the ball will be hit really hard. Both players love to give it a whack and want the ball hit hard. Reynolds is good coming forward if he doesn’t try and hit the winner off the approach, and this is where his best chances lie. This will go 3 for sure.
In a bizarre twist of events, Kevin Kim retired from his opening round match against Sam Warburg. Kevin won the first set comfortably and was on cruise control in the second until Sam found his second wind. Both players were a little hot under the collar with the officiating throughout the match and Kevin lost his cool on set point to Sam in the second and smashed his racquet. A point later he defaulted. Like I said – bizarre.
Promising young American Phillip Simmonds had the biggest win of his career yesterday, beating tournament #3 seed, Kristian Pless 7-6, 7-6. Simmonds, 20, from Virginia, played attacking tennis and kept his cool under pressure. Pless is ranked #81 in the world and beat world #8, David Nalbandian in Chennai, India, a few weeks ago. Simmonds said he was really pleased with how he served. “I thought I served well at crucial times,” he said. Simmonds saved some break points in the second set with unreturnable serves, at a time when the match could have easily slipped away from him. Pless is 2-5 on the year and showed his disappointment at the end by repeatedly smashing his racquet into ground.
American, Zack Fleishman, came back from a set down yesterday to defeat Joshua Goodall 4-6, 7-6 (4) 6-4. Zack is coming off an excellent trip Down Under where he qualified and won a round at the Aussie Open. Zack is at #154, which is around his career best, and has a lot of confidence after the Aussie Open win against Augustin Calleri - #28 in the world. Zack said he was strong mentally yesterday. “Normally after I lose a first set I can get down on myself but recently I have generated a lot of confidence from winning.” Zack said yesterday’s match was played at a fast pace with very few rallies. “It was purely first strike tennis with the more aggressive player being rewarded for attacking first. Matches like these always come down to a couple of points.” Zack said it is the best start he has had to a year on the tour and he looks to go deep in the Dallas event. “I feel like this is the perfect surface for me – fast, indoor hardcourts. Zack said he was a huge Indianapolis Colts fan, but if he wins this tournament he promises to buy a Cowboys jersey.
Swedish crowd favorite, Bjorn Rehnquist, qualified yesterday with another gutsy win over big serving American Brendan Evans 7-5, 6-4. Bjorn counter punched his way to victory with wicked cross court passing shots that continually went past his attacking opponent.
I understand you live in the DFW area. Could you please give me a call here at TBarM when you have a second? I would like to ask you a few questions about the menstennisforums site. Thank you so much for plugging our site and tournament. Look forward to talking to you.
We welcome posts from tennis fans from all over the world. As you can see from the front page, we have live scoring and video during the matches. Let us know what you think! We are here for you, so give us your requests and we look forward to keeping you up to date.
- Tue, Jun 24, 2008, 2:16 P
