8/21/16:
"Norm-Tony ends in Montclair, Samara hosts 11 at AP!":
Before we even get to the full recap of how things transpired at Albion Park, let's first go to Mountainside Park in Montclair as it was the conclusion of the in-progress Grove Cup Round of 16 Match between "Stormin" Norman Taclob and Tony "Sure Shot" Shiao (they had previously split sets there over a week ago as Shiao had won the 1st Set, 6-3, and then Taclob took the 2nd Set, 6-1).
Norm reported to "Hollywood" Frank Samara almost immediately after the 3rd Set of this match concluded while Samara was already hosting the usual Sunday session (being played at Albion for the first time ever). And Tony added details via e-mail a little later.
We now turn this report over to Norm and Tony.
The Mountainside Park Result:
Grove Cup Round of 16 Match:
Tony Shiao over Norman Taclob, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4, to become the New # 11 Ranked Player in the Advanced Division while also advancing to The Quarterfinals of The Grove Cup Tournament! Tony: 3 Aces (1 in the 1st Set and 2 in the 3rd Set…with the last one coming on Match Point)!
The Sure Shot from Shiao: We played our match at Montclair in the morning. The courts were wet from the morning rain, but dried once we began our match. Norm won the toss and took the first game easily at Love and that definitely screwed with my mental game. I changed my strategy since the last time we played and came to the net a few times. I took the next four games for a 4-1 lead. Norm then battled back and then the score was 5-4 in my favor, but I was starting to get a bit nervous since Norm had the momentum and found the right formula to win some points. I focused on serving to his backhand and was able to win Match Point with an Ace that kicked out wide. This match could have easily gone either way as Norm is a strong and consistent player with agility, too (especially at the net)! I look forward to playing him in the future.
Norm's Notes: This continuation took place roughly from 8:30 to 9:45. Tony was returning all of my shots and was playing very inspired tennis. Congratulations to him and good luck on his next match!
Samara's Notes: I thank both Tony and Norm for their timely reporting (Norm also mentioned in a subsequent text that his "Tim Wong problem" came out again while still stating how well Tony played). His "Tim Wong problem" was when he lost to Mr. Wong in the Grove Cup a few years ago. Tim would seemingly get to everything and extend the rallies to a point where Norm started to lose aggression (rather than ramp it up) and start pushing would-be winning Overhead Smashes softly into the middle of the court only to allow Wong to eventually hit winners.
I also think Taclob did himself a disservice by continuing this match at a later date. I know he had little choice as health was a concern for both competitors on such a hot and humid day (which is how it was the day they started this match) and that Norm was pressed for time as well. But he had the momentum in his favor when they stopped. Resuming a match with only the 3rd Set left to play is like taking a gamble on a One-Setter...if you get out of the starting blocks somewhat cold while your opponent takes off hot...you could find yourself left in the dust rather quickly.
I also offer congratulations to Tony who continues to build on what now has to be considered the most impressive season of all his years here in the GTA. He looks to be a definite Nominee for Most Improved Player of The Year at season's end.
And now for how the session at Albion unfolded.
Samara pulled up to the curb across from the courts and saw three players already out on the North Court. On one side, it was "The Vin Man" Vinnie De Benedetto and "Mr. 500" Levy Lorenzo hitting against a new face on the other side.
Levy had already notified Frank earlier in the weekend that he would be bringing his soon-to-be son-in-law (how's that for some hype hyphenation?), Chris Homick. He also informed Samara that Homick was down from Boston visiting for the weekend and that he is also quite the player.
We soon agreed to have the regular tandem of Frank and Vin take on Levy and Chris. Mr. Lorenzo did not lie when he said that Homick is a solid player. Also, Levy displayed some of the fiercest return game that we have ever seen from him. It would end up being a Doubles One-Setter for the ages (more on that later).
As that One-Setter officially got underway at 10:10, ten minutes later we had the arrival of "MC" Mike Carucci. He waited alone on Center Court, but he would not have to wait long as we then saw "Chito" Nick Inciong arrive at 10:25.
We have not seen Nick for quite awhile as this has been a season of many various injuries and ailments for the man otherwise known as Chito. It was good to see him again as he is always quite the gentleman. He soon entered into a hitting session with Carucci.
At 10:35, GTA Champion: "King Crush" Chris Chiaro arrived and he soon made his way onto Center Court where he would then go solo in hitting against Nick and Mike.
Ten minutes later, "The Legendary" Chazz Weldon made it a foursome on Center Court (this was a good thing as the action continued to rage on over on the North Court) and that enabled another Doubles One-Setter to get underway at 10:50.
After the first marathon One-Setter finished exactly at 11:13, De Benedetto, Lorenzo and Homick all had to leave. Samara then stood alone on the North Court and watched the action continue on Center Court.
At 11:20, two outsiders (a young couple) arrived to take the South Court. It was around this time that we heard a metallic crunch that actually turned out to be a crash...a head-on collision, in fact.
The two drivers took much time talking to one another with both vehicles still hood to hood on Maplewood Ave. It seems that neither side called the police for an official report as they must have reached some sort of agreement.
Well, the guy in the pickup who then drove away must have felt foolish as the sounds emanating from under the hood and the vehicle itself sounded like big metal nails running down a chalkboard! He ended up making a U-turn and coming back to the original area of the accident where the other vehicle had now pulled over to the curb. Still, no police ever were involved...but I'd have to imagine them striking up a new deal as the damage was far worse than just a cracked grille and slightly raised hood.
The second Doubles One-Setter of the day concluded at 11:36, after which both Mike and Nick had to go. But we were in luck as "Lean" Dean Delgado started making his way toward the courts at 11:40.
Once again, we had four players for Doubles. The man long known as The Dean of Lean has found his winning ways to be quite lean as of late. To put it bluntly, he has been on a long losing streak (in both Singles and Doubles).
Samara and Chiaro decided to try to give Delgado's slump a sooner ending by allowing him to team with the tenacious Champ. Dean was happy to hear this as he would align with Chris to face Chazz and Frank. And it did seem as if that rut would finally be routed...at least for a little while...LOL!
Toward the beginning of that third Doubles One-Setter, the couple left South Court at 12:05. Near the end of that same One-Setter, a father/daughter/son combo took South Court at 12:40.
That One-Setter (also quite lengthy, though not quite the marathon that the first one of the day was) finished at 12:42. Chris had to leave immediately afterward and then Chazz was soon to follow.
But there was no reason to panic as earlier in the session (during this third One-Setter), "Holy Moly" Mike Mole had arrived at 11:55 only to soon be joined by "Coach" Dino Celis on Center Court just five minutes later. They had a fairly lengthy hitting session before ending it to watch how the North Court comeback was taking place.
While Chiaro was still in attendance and we were trying to decide the teams for what would be the fourth and final Doubles One-Setter of the day, Chris joked that he wishes anyone who teams with Dean: "Good luck!" At that point, Dino decided to team with Mike...leaving Frank to partner with Dean. If Chiaro could not snap the Delgado slump, how could Samara be expected to do it?!?! Ah, well, we shall see.
We ended up with a total of eleven official competitors...a decent amount given the fact that the conditions were still quite hot and sunny. This was also the first official Sunday session at Albion Park and quite a few of those who arrived reported going to Holster Park first (where "Big George" Jorge Solano and "DC3" David Cardenas were having a hitting session).
Let's now get to all the Albion action!
The AP Results:
Levy Lorenzo/Chris Homick over Frank Samara/Vinnie De Benedetto, 7-6 (9-7)! No Aces. It was the official GTA Debut of Chris Homick. It went like this: Chris was broken at Love after Vin started things with a winner and then Chris hit a Double Fault on Triple Break Point, Frank was also broken at Love after he hit a Double Fault to make it Love-30 where an extended rally led to Triple Break Point and then came the break, Levy was broken (Vin hit a blistering return winner for Love-15, it was 15-All where a Double Fault made it 15-30, then it went to Double Break Point and then Break Point where Frank hit a winner for the break) and Vinnie was broken (Frank blew an overhead for Love-15, then it was Love-30 where Vin hit a winning Backhand Volley for 15-30, but then he hit a Double Fault for Double Break Point and then Levy hit the winner for the break) as nobody could hold serve at 2-2! Homick was the first to hold (Chris hit a winner and an un-returned serve on the way to Triple Game Point, it was then Double Game Point where he hit a truly un-returnable serve to secure the hold), but Samara held as well (15-Love where Chris hit a winning volley for 15-All, but then an un-returned serve and a drop shot winner from Frank led to Double Game Point, it was then Game Point where Frank hit a winning lob to secure his own hold) to tie things again, this time at 3-3! Lorenzo also held (Love-15 where Vin blew a volley for 15-All, then it was 15-30 and a Double Fault for Double Break Point where Levy hit a winner to cut it to Break Point which was where Vin blew a volley to make it Deuce and then Chris hit a winning volley to set up Game Point and then came the hold), but so did De Benedetto (Chris blew an overhead for 15-Love, then a Double Fault for 15-All, but then Frank hit a winner on the way to Double Game Point which was where Frank hit a winning lob to secure his partner's hold) to knot the score once more at 4-4! The Bostonian held again (un-returned serve for 15-Love, Double Fault for 15-All where Levy hit a winning Overhead Smash for 30-15, but then Vin hit a net-cord winner for 30-All, but then came Game Point and a winning volley from Levy to lock down the hold), but Hollywood also held again and it was at Love as the first point was an excellent and exciting extended rally that ended with a winner from Vin and then Vin would go on to hit a winning Overhead Smash and a winning volley along the way as we were leveled again, this time at 5-5! Mr. 500 was then broken (Frank hit a winning lob for Love-15, but then Vin blew an overhead for 15-All and it then went point for point to Break Point and then the break), but The Vin Man was also broken (back-to-back winners from Levy and Chris made it Love-30, but then that shifted straight to Game/Match Point, Deuce, 2nd Game/Match Point, 2nd Deuce, 3rd Game/Match Point where Frank blew an overhead to make it the 3rd Deuce and then it was the 4th Game/Match Point where Vin blew a gift of would-be volley to make it 4th Deuce and then it was Break Point where Frank blew a volley to see his partner get broken) for a pair of sixes as we headed into the Tiebreak. In the Breaker: Chris held his lone serve after what may have been the rally of the match led to a 1-0 lead where an un-returned serve from Frank made it 1-1 and then a winner by Vin made it 2-1 on Samara's second service. Levy was broken on the first of his two serves after Vin hit a winning volley to go down 1-3, but then he held his second after Chris hit a winning volley for 2-3. Vin hit a Double Fault to make it 3-3 at the changeover and then Chris hit a winning volley on Vin's second service to make it a 3-4 score. Homick held the first of his two serves after he hitting a winning volley and then he held his second as well to go up 6-3 and have it be the first Match Point for his team (the 5th M.P. overall)! Samara held the first of his two serves with an un-returnable one, but it was still 6-4 and the 2nd M.P. for the opposition. The Wood then held his second service as well after Vin hit a winning Overhead Smash to pull to 6-5 and the 3rd M.P. for their friendly rivals. Lorenzo was now on serve and the best rally of the match ended with a winning volley from Vin for 6-6 and the second changeover! The Levitator was then broken on his second service as well after another awesome rally ended with a blown volley by Chris! The Vin Man now had it as 7-6 and the 5th Match Point (the 8th M.P. overall) in favor of his team. But he then hit a Double Fault to make it 7-All (aka 7-Up!) and then Vin was broken on his second service as well after Chris hit a winning volley to make it 7-8! Service and the 4th Match Point for his team (the 9th M.P. overall) now returned to The Bostonian as he hit an un-returned serve to secure the hold and the victory)! We played this one on the North Court from 10:10 to 11:13...one hour and 3 minutes long!
The Skinny: What a great way for Chris to first experience the GTA! Levy later let Frank know that Homick really enjoyed it and also likes reading the Results write-ups (and he has requested being added to our mailing list). Hopefully, this will lead to the young man making more visits from Boston as he is quite the competitor, sportsman and gentleman. Also, this looks to be a near certain Nominee for One-Set Doubles Match of The Year at season's end.
Chazz Weldon/Nick Inciong over Chris Chiaro/Mike Carucci, 7-5! No Aces. Chazz and Nick were up 5-4 when Inciong was broken for 5-5. Mike was also broken (Game Point, Double Fault for Deuce, Break Point and the break) to go down 5-6. And then Weldon held at Love when this one finished at Triple Game/Match Point at exactly 11:36 (they had begun this one on Center Court at 10:50).
Chazz Weldon/Frank Samara over Chris Chiaro/Dean Delgado, 7-5! Dean: 1 Ace on Chazz. Here's how it went down: Chris was broken (Triple Break Point cut down to Break Point, but then the break), Frank was broken (Dean made a great get/winner combo for Love-15 and then an un-returned serve made it 15-All and then it was point for point to 30-All where an extended rally led to Game Point, but then Dean hit a winning return for Deuce where Chris hit a winning Overhead Smash to make it Break Point where Chris then hit a blast of a winner for the break), but Dean was the first to hold serve (Triple Break Point, Double Break Point where an un-returned serve set up Break Point, then it was Deuce and Game Point where Dean hit a winner to secure his own hold) for 2-1. Chazz held (Chris hit a monster return for Love-15 and then it went point for point until 30-All where an un-returned serve set up Game Point and then another un-returned serve secured the hold) to level it at 2-2. Chiaro held at Love as he started things with an un-returned serve and Dean hit a winner on the way to Triple Game Point where Chris hit a winning Overhead Smash and then Samara was broken in a battle (Chris hit a hellacious return winner for Love-15 and then it went point for point to Break Point as Chris hit another winning return and a winning Overhead Smash along the way, but then an un-returned serve made it Deuce, it was then Break Point where an excellent and extended rally made it 2nd Deuce and then it was all Break Points to 5th Deuce where it was Break Point yet again and then the break finally came) to fall to 2-4. Delgado held again (un-returned serve for 15-Love, but then back-to-back Double Faults for 15-30, but then 30-All, Game Point and an Ace up the T against Chazz for the hold) for a commanding lead at 5-2. Weldon also held again (Chris again hit a winning return to start things off, but then an un-returned serve led to 30-15, it was 30-All where another un-returned serve set up Game Point, then Deuce and Break/Match Point where Chris blew a volley to make it 2nd Deuce, it was then the 2nd Break/Match Point where an un-returned serve made it 3rd Deuce and then came Game Point and the hold) and King Crush was broken (Love-15, 15-All, but then straight to Double Break Point and the break) to have his team's lead cut to 5-4. The Wood finally held (Frank hit a winner for 15-Love, 15-All but then right to Double Game Point and the hold) and Lean Dean was finally broken (Chris hit a winning Overhead Smash and Dean hit a winner for 30-Love, but then it shifted to Break Point where a Double Fault did him in) to hand the lead over to the opposition where The Legendary Chazz held (15-Love, 15-All and then a straight run to Double Game/Match Point and the hold) to earn an impressive victory! We played this on the North Court from 11:48 to 12:42...just six minutes shy of an hour!
The Skinny: Yes, even the mighty Chiaro cannot overcome The Delgado Curse! This may very well be the most prolonged slump (not counting "newbies" who had a long way to go before ever winning a match) in the entire history of the GTA! Lean Dean looked so sure to get over the hump and out of the slump when they were up 5-2. The fact that his partner Chris was looking for the exit as soon as possible as he needed to leave for other plans may not have helped Delgado's cause. Also, some credit has to go to both Weldon and Samara who both played a combination of aggressive yet consistent tennis throughout the contest.
Dino Celis/Mike Mole over Dean Delgado/Frank Samara, 6-1! No Aces. The dirty lowdown: Mike was broken (Love-15 shifted to Double Game Point right after an un-returnable serve, but then Dino blew an overhead to make it Game Point where a Double Fault made it Deuce, another Double Fault brought it to Break Point where a third consecutive Break Point caused the break!), Frank was broken (15-Love then point for point to Game Point where the rally that led to the GP was an excellent one and then it led to Deuce, a Double Fault for Break Point and then the break), but Dino was the first to hold serve (a winning volley from Dean followed by another winner by Dean made it Love-30, but then it shifted straight to Game Point, Deuce, Break Point, 2nd Deuce where Dino hit a passing shot winner for Game Point and then came the hold) to go up 2-1. Dean was broken (15-Love, Double Fault for 15-All, but then onto Double Break Point where Frank hit a drop shot winner for Break Point, it was then Deuce, Game Point, 2nd Deuce where Dino hit a passing shot winner for Break Point and then came the break), Mole held at Love after starting things off with an un-returned serve, Samara was broken (Love-15 then point for point to Break Point as Mike hit a winning return, there was an un-returned serve and another winner from Mike along the way, but then came an un-returned serve for Deuce, Break Point and the break) and Celis held again (back-to-back un-returned serves made it 30-Love, it was then Triple Game/Match Point where Dino hit a winning Overhead Smash for the win! We played this one on North Court from 12:47 to 1:23.
The Delgado Slump lives on! When will it end? Who knows! Regardless, this was the most fun a GTA Sunday Tennis session has been in quite some time.
All the best,
Frank Samara
"Norm-Tony ends in Montclair, Samara hosts 11 at AP!":
Before we even get to the full recap of how things transpired at Albion Park, let's first go to Mountainside Park in Montclair as it was the conclusion of the in-progress Grove Cup Round of 16 Match between "Stormin" Norman Taclob and Tony "Sure Shot" Shiao (they had previously split sets there over a week ago as Shiao had won the 1st Set, 6-3, and then Taclob took the 2nd Set, 6-1).
Norm reported to "Hollywood" Frank Samara almost immediately after the 3rd Set of this match concluded while Samara was already hosting the usual Sunday session (being played at Albion for the first time ever). And Tony added details via e-mail a little later.
We now turn this report over to Norm and Tony.
The Mountainside Park Result:
Grove Cup Round of 16 Match:
Tony Shiao over Norman Taclob, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4, to become the New # 11 Ranked Player in the Advanced Division while also advancing to The Quarterfinals of The Grove Cup Tournament! Tony: 3 Aces (1 in the 1st Set and 2 in the 3rd Set…with the last one coming on Match Point)!
The Sure Shot from Shiao: We played our match at Montclair in the morning. The courts were wet from the morning rain, but dried once we began our match. Norm won the toss and took the first game easily at Love and that definitely screwed with my mental game. I changed my strategy since the last time we played and came to the net a few times. I took the next four games for a 4-1 lead. Norm then battled back and then the score was 5-4 in my favor, but I was starting to get a bit nervous since Norm had the momentum and found the right formula to win some points. I focused on serving to his backhand and was able to win Match Point with an Ace that kicked out wide. This match could have easily gone either way as Norm is a strong and consistent player with agility, too (especially at the net)! I look forward to playing him in the future.
Norm's Notes: This continuation took place roughly from 8:30 to 9:45. Tony was returning all of my shots and was playing very inspired tennis. Congratulations to him and good luck on his next match!
Samara's Notes: I thank both Tony and Norm for their timely reporting (Norm also mentioned in a subsequent text that his "Tim Wong problem" came out again while still stating how well Tony played). His "Tim Wong problem" was when he lost to Mr. Wong in the Grove Cup a few years ago. Tim would seemingly get to everything and extend the rallies to a point where Norm started to lose aggression (rather than ramp it up) and start pushing would-be winning Overhead Smashes softly into the middle of the court only to allow Wong to eventually hit winners.
I also think Taclob did himself a disservice by continuing this match at a later date. I know he had little choice as health was a concern for both competitors on such a hot and humid day (which is how it was the day they started this match) and that Norm was pressed for time as well. But he had the momentum in his favor when they stopped. Resuming a match with only the 3rd Set left to play is like taking a gamble on a One-Setter...if you get out of the starting blocks somewhat cold while your opponent takes off hot...you could find yourself left in the dust rather quickly.
I also offer congratulations to Tony who continues to build on what now has to be considered the most impressive season of all his years here in the GTA. He looks to be a definite Nominee for Most Improved Player of The Year at season's end.
And now for how the session at Albion unfolded.
Samara pulled up to the curb across from the courts and saw three players already out on the North Court. On one side, it was "The Vin Man" Vinnie De Benedetto and "Mr. 500" Levy Lorenzo hitting against a new face on the other side.
Levy had already notified Frank earlier in the weekend that he would be bringing his soon-to-be son-in-law (how's that for some hype hyphenation?), Chris Homick. He also informed Samara that Homick was down from Boston visiting for the weekend and that he is also quite the player.
We soon agreed to have the regular tandem of Frank and Vin take on Levy and Chris. Mr. Lorenzo did not lie when he said that Homick is a solid player. Also, Levy displayed some of the fiercest return game that we have ever seen from him. It would end up being a Doubles One-Setter for the ages (more on that later).
As that One-Setter officially got underway at 10:10, ten minutes later we had the arrival of "MC" Mike Carucci. He waited alone on Center Court, but he would not have to wait long as we then saw "Chito" Nick Inciong arrive at 10:25.
We have not seen Nick for quite awhile as this has been a season of many various injuries and ailments for the man otherwise known as Chito. It was good to see him again as he is always quite the gentleman. He soon entered into a hitting session with Carucci.
At 10:35, GTA Champion: "King Crush" Chris Chiaro arrived and he soon made his way onto Center Court where he would then go solo in hitting against Nick and Mike.
Ten minutes later, "The Legendary" Chazz Weldon made it a foursome on Center Court (this was a good thing as the action continued to rage on over on the North Court) and that enabled another Doubles One-Setter to get underway at 10:50.
After the first marathon One-Setter finished exactly at 11:13, De Benedetto, Lorenzo and Homick all had to leave. Samara then stood alone on the North Court and watched the action continue on Center Court.
At 11:20, two outsiders (a young couple) arrived to take the South Court. It was around this time that we heard a metallic crunch that actually turned out to be a crash...a head-on collision, in fact.
The two drivers took much time talking to one another with both vehicles still hood to hood on Maplewood Ave. It seems that neither side called the police for an official report as they must have reached some sort of agreement.
Well, the guy in the pickup who then drove away must have felt foolish as the sounds emanating from under the hood and the vehicle itself sounded like big metal nails running down a chalkboard! He ended up making a U-turn and coming back to the original area of the accident where the other vehicle had now pulled over to the curb. Still, no police ever were involved...but I'd have to imagine them striking up a new deal as the damage was far worse than just a cracked grille and slightly raised hood.
The second Doubles One-Setter of the day concluded at 11:36, after which both Mike and Nick had to go. But we were in luck as "Lean" Dean Delgado started making his way toward the courts at 11:40.
Once again, we had four players for Doubles. The man long known as The Dean of Lean has found his winning ways to be quite lean as of late. To put it bluntly, he has been on a long losing streak (in both Singles and Doubles).
Samara and Chiaro decided to try to give Delgado's slump a sooner ending by allowing him to team with the tenacious Champ. Dean was happy to hear this as he would align with Chris to face Chazz and Frank. And it did seem as if that rut would finally be routed...at least for a little while...LOL!
Toward the beginning of that third Doubles One-Setter, the couple left South Court at 12:05. Near the end of that same One-Setter, a father/daughter/son combo took South Court at 12:40.
That One-Setter (also quite lengthy, though not quite the marathon that the first one of the day was) finished at 12:42. Chris had to leave immediately afterward and then Chazz was soon to follow.
But there was no reason to panic as earlier in the session (during this third One-Setter), "Holy Moly" Mike Mole had arrived at 11:55 only to soon be joined by "Coach" Dino Celis on Center Court just five minutes later. They had a fairly lengthy hitting session before ending it to watch how the North Court comeback was taking place.
While Chiaro was still in attendance and we were trying to decide the teams for what would be the fourth and final Doubles One-Setter of the day, Chris joked that he wishes anyone who teams with Dean: "Good luck!" At that point, Dino decided to team with Mike...leaving Frank to partner with Dean. If Chiaro could not snap the Delgado slump, how could Samara be expected to do it?!?! Ah, well, we shall see.
We ended up with a total of eleven official competitors...a decent amount given the fact that the conditions were still quite hot and sunny. This was also the first official Sunday session at Albion Park and quite a few of those who arrived reported going to Holster Park first (where "Big George" Jorge Solano and "DC3" David Cardenas were having a hitting session).
Let's now get to all the Albion action!
The AP Results:
Levy Lorenzo/Chris Homick over Frank Samara/Vinnie De Benedetto, 7-6 (9-7)! No Aces. It was the official GTA Debut of Chris Homick. It went like this: Chris was broken at Love after Vin started things with a winner and then Chris hit a Double Fault on Triple Break Point, Frank was also broken at Love after he hit a Double Fault to make it Love-30 where an extended rally led to Triple Break Point and then came the break, Levy was broken (Vin hit a blistering return winner for Love-15, it was 15-All where a Double Fault made it 15-30, then it went to Double Break Point and then Break Point where Frank hit a winner for the break) and Vinnie was broken (Frank blew an overhead for Love-15, then it was Love-30 where Vin hit a winning Backhand Volley for 15-30, but then he hit a Double Fault for Double Break Point and then Levy hit the winner for the break) as nobody could hold serve at 2-2! Homick was the first to hold (Chris hit a winner and an un-returned serve on the way to Triple Game Point, it was then Double Game Point where he hit a truly un-returnable serve to secure the hold), but Samara held as well (15-Love where Chris hit a winning volley for 15-All, but then an un-returned serve and a drop shot winner from Frank led to Double Game Point, it was then Game Point where Frank hit a winning lob to secure his own hold) to tie things again, this time at 3-3! Lorenzo also held (Love-15 where Vin blew a volley for 15-All, then it was 15-30 and a Double Fault for Double Break Point where Levy hit a winner to cut it to Break Point which was where Vin blew a volley to make it Deuce and then Chris hit a winning volley to set up Game Point and then came the hold), but so did De Benedetto (Chris blew an overhead for 15-Love, then a Double Fault for 15-All, but then Frank hit a winner on the way to Double Game Point which was where Frank hit a winning lob to secure his partner's hold) to knot the score once more at 4-4! The Bostonian held again (un-returned serve for 15-Love, Double Fault for 15-All where Levy hit a winning Overhead Smash for 30-15, but then Vin hit a net-cord winner for 30-All, but then came Game Point and a winning volley from Levy to lock down the hold), but Hollywood also held again and it was at Love as the first point was an excellent and exciting extended rally that ended with a winner from Vin and then Vin would go on to hit a winning Overhead Smash and a winning volley along the way as we were leveled again, this time at 5-5! Mr. 500 was then broken (Frank hit a winning lob for Love-15, but then Vin blew an overhead for 15-All and it then went point for point to Break Point and then the break), but The Vin Man was also broken (back-to-back winners from Levy and Chris made it Love-30, but then that shifted straight to Game/Match Point, Deuce, 2nd Game/Match Point, 2nd Deuce, 3rd Game/Match Point where Frank blew an overhead to make it the 3rd Deuce and then it was the 4th Game/Match Point where Vin blew a gift of would-be volley to make it 4th Deuce and then it was Break Point where Frank blew a volley to see his partner get broken) for a pair of sixes as we headed into the Tiebreak. In the Breaker: Chris held his lone serve after what may have been the rally of the match led to a 1-0 lead where an un-returned serve from Frank made it 1-1 and then a winner by Vin made it 2-1 on Samara's second service. Levy was broken on the first of his two serves after Vin hit a winning volley to go down 1-3, but then he held his second after Chris hit a winning volley for 2-3. Vin hit a Double Fault to make it 3-3 at the changeover and then Chris hit a winning volley on Vin's second service to make it a 3-4 score. Homick held the first of his two serves after he hitting a winning volley and then he held his second as well to go up 6-3 and have it be the first Match Point for his team (the 5th M.P. overall)! Samara held the first of his two serves with an un-returnable one, but it was still 6-4 and the 2nd M.P. for the opposition. The Wood then held his second service as well after Vin hit a winning Overhead Smash to pull to 6-5 and the 3rd M.P. for their friendly rivals. Lorenzo was now on serve and the best rally of the match ended with a winning volley from Vin for 6-6 and the second changeover! The Levitator was then broken on his second service as well after another awesome rally ended with a blown volley by Chris! The Vin Man now had it as 7-6 and the 5th Match Point (the 8th M.P. overall) in favor of his team. But he then hit a Double Fault to make it 7-All (aka 7-Up!) and then Vin was broken on his second service as well after Chris hit a winning volley to make it 7-8! Service and the 4th Match Point for his team (the 9th M.P. overall) now returned to The Bostonian as he hit an un-returned serve to secure the hold and the victory)! We played this one on the North Court from 10:10 to 11:13...one hour and 3 minutes long!
The Skinny: What a great way for Chris to first experience the GTA! Levy later let Frank know that Homick really enjoyed it and also likes reading the Results write-ups (and he has requested being added to our mailing list). Hopefully, this will lead to the young man making more visits from Boston as he is quite the competitor, sportsman and gentleman. Also, this looks to be a near certain Nominee for One-Set Doubles Match of The Year at season's end.
Chazz Weldon/Nick Inciong over Chris Chiaro/Mike Carucci, 7-5! No Aces. Chazz and Nick were up 5-4 when Inciong was broken for 5-5. Mike was also broken (Game Point, Double Fault for Deuce, Break Point and the break) to go down 5-6. And then Weldon held at Love when this one finished at Triple Game/Match Point at exactly 11:36 (they had begun this one on Center Court at 10:50).
Chazz Weldon/Frank Samara over Chris Chiaro/Dean Delgado, 7-5! Dean: 1 Ace on Chazz. Here's how it went down: Chris was broken (Triple Break Point cut down to Break Point, but then the break), Frank was broken (Dean made a great get/winner combo for Love-15 and then an un-returned serve made it 15-All and then it was point for point to 30-All where an extended rally led to Game Point, but then Dean hit a winning return for Deuce where Chris hit a winning Overhead Smash to make it Break Point where Chris then hit a blast of a winner for the break), but Dean was the first to hold serve (Triple Break Point, Double Break Point where an un-returned serve set up Break Point, then it was Deuce and Game Point where Dean hit a winner to secure his own hold) for 2-1. Chazz held (Chris hit a monster return for Love-15 and then it went point for point until 30-All where an un-returned serve set up Game Point and then another un-returned serve secured the hold) to level it at 2-2. Chiaro held at Love as he started things with an un-returned serve and Dean hit a winner on the way to Triple Game Point where Chris hit a winning Overhead Smash and then Samara was broken in a battle (Chris hit a hellacious return winner for Love-15 and then it went point for point to Break Point as Chris hit another winning return and a winning Overhead Smash along the way, but then an un-returned serve made it Deuce, it was then Break Point where an excellent and extended rally made it 2nd Deuce and then it was all Break Points to 5th Deuce where it was Break Point yet again and then the break finally came) to fall to 2-4. Delgado held again (un-returned serve for 15-Love, but then back-to-back Double Faults for 15-30, but then 30-All, Game Point and an Ace up the T against Chazz for the hold) for a commanding lead at 5-2. Weldon also held again (Chris again hit a winning return to start things off, but then an un-returned serve led to 30-15, it was 30-All where another un-returned serve set up Game Point, then Deuce and Break/Match Point where Chris blew a volley to make it 2nd Deuce, it was then the 2nd Break/Match Point where an un-returned serve made it 3rd Deuce and then came Game Point and the hold) and King Crush was broken (Love-15, 15-All, but then straight to Double Break Point and the break) to have his team's lead cut to 5-4. The Wood finally held (Frank hit a winner for 15-Love, 15-All but then right to Double Game Point and the hold) and Lean Dean was finally broken (Chris hit a winning Overhead Smash and Dean hit a winner for 30-Love, but then it shifted to Break Point where a Double Fault did him in) to hand the lead over to the opposition where The Legendary Chazz held (15-Love, 15-All and then a straight run to Double Game/Match Point and the hold) to earn an impressive victory! We played this on the North Court from 11:48 to 12:42...just six minutes shy of an hour!
The Skinny: Yes, even the mighty Chiaro cannot overcome The Delgado Curse! This may very well be the most prolonged slump (not counting "newbies" who had a long way to go before ever winning a match) in the entire history of the GTA! Lean Dean looked so sure to get over the hump and out of the slump when they were up 5-2. The fact that his partner Chris was looking for the exit as soon as possible as he needed to leave for other plans may not have helped Delgado's cause. Also, some credit has to go to both Weldon and Samara who both played a combination of aggressive yet consistent tennis throughout the contest.
Dino Celis/Mike Mole over Dean Delgado/Frank Samara, 6-1! No Aces. The dirty lowdown: Mike was broken (Love-15 shifted to Double Game Point right after an un-returnable serve, but then Dino blew an overhead to make it Game Point where a Double Fault made it Deuce, another Double Fault brought it to Break Point where a third consecutive Break Point caused the break!), Frank was broken (15-Love then point for point to Game Point where the rally that led to the GP was an excellent one and then it led to Deuce, a Double Fault for Break Point and then the break), but Dino was the first to hold serve (a winning volley from Dean followed by another winner by Dean made it Love-30, but then it shifted straight to Game Point, Deuce, Break Point, 2nd Deuce where Dino hit a passing shot winner for Game Point and then came the hold) to go up 2-1. Dean was broken (15-Love, Double Fault for 15-All, but then onto Double Break Point where Frank hit a drop shot winner for Break Point, it was then Deuce, Game Point, 2nd Deuce where Dino hit a passing shot winner for Break Point and then came the break), Mole held at Love after starting things off with an un-returned serve, Samara was broken (Love-15 then point for point to Break Point as Mike hit a winning return, there was an un-returned serve and another winner from Mike along the way, but then came an un-returned serve for Deuce, Break Point and the break) and Celis held again (back-to-back un-returned serves made it 30-Love, it was then Triple Game/Match Point where Dino hit a winning Overhead Smash for the win! We played this one on North Court from 12:47 to 1:23.
The Delgado Slump lives on! When will it end? Who knows! Regardless, this was the most fun a GTA Sunday Tennis session has been in quite some time.
All the best,
Frank Samara
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