6/4/17:
"Samara hosts 12 at AP, Mehta-Bernard in Montclair!":
There was the usual session of GTA Sunday Tennis at Albion Park in Clifton (hosted by "Hollywood" Frank Samara). Weather forecasts throughout the week had put this session in some doubt. We were able to play...until Mother Nature had her way! And around the same time (with a slightly later start), there was another session at The Mountainside Park Courts in Montclair as buddies "The AM Rush" Anish Mehta and "The Headhunter" Ralph Bernard faced one another in a full 2 out of 3 Sets Challenge Match (as reported by Anish).
We will get to that battle at the end of this report, but first the comings and goings at Albion.
It was 11:05 when "Hollywood" Frank Samara pulled up to the courts Upon his arrival, he saw "Coach" Dino Celis instructing "Spin Doctor" Dan Martinelli and putting him through the paces in an intense workout session as The Doc seeks to drop some pounds. This unique display took place on the North Court.
On Center Court, a Doubles One-Setter was already underway as "The Legendary" Chazz Weldon was teaming with "The Webmaster" Senthil Kumar as they faced off against "Lean Daddy" Dean Delgado and
"The Vin Man" Vinnie De Benedetto.
And over on the South Court, "Nate the Great" Nathan Fernandes and William "Bombs Away" Bobila were having a hitting session with one another. William's new moniker was certainly earned in the upcoming Doubles action as both Nate and I would soon experience firsthand!
At 11:10, Jay "The Rising" Phoenix made his way to the courts. Samara soon told him that the two of them would head over to the South Court to get some Doubles with Fernandes and Bobila.
At 11:40, cousins "Raging" Rajan Shah and "Teej" T.J. Shah (aka The Inseparables) took over Center Court to have a hitting session with one another until the opportunity for some Doubles would arise.
The twelfth and final competitor to arrive was "Richie" Rich Liu at 12:30...just as a light but steady drizzle had started and many players were leaving for the day. But there was enough of us who would stay to make sure that Rich got the chance to play. It was his first time at Albion. He liked the courts and enjoyed the atmosphere.
Now, let's get to the scores!
The Albion Park Results:
Chazz Weldon/Senthil Kumar over Dean Delgado/Vinnie De Benedetto, 6-4! No Aces. Not sure when they got this one underway on Center Court, but it ended at 11:35.
Nathan Fernandes/Frank Samara over Jay Phoenix/William Bobila, 7-5! No Aces. It went like this (midway through, I stopped noting who hit what winners as there was a certain pace to this match that I did not want to disturb with extended stays on the sidelines taking notes): Nathan was broken at Love as William hit a winner and Jay hit a winning volley along the way, Jay was broken (15-Love then point for point until 30-All where Nate hi a winning Overhead Smash for Break Point only to have William hit a fast reflex Backhand Volley winner for Deuce, Break Point again where William scored with a monster Overhead Smash winner for 2nd Deuce, Game Point, 3rd Deuce, Break Point, 4th Deuce, Break Point and finally the break), but Frank was the first to hold serve (30-Love, 30-15, Double Game Point and the hold) for 2-1. William was broken (Double Fault for Triple Break Point, Jay hit a winning Backhand Volley for Double Break Point, Break Point and the break) and Fernandes held (30-Love, 30-15, Double Game Point where William whipped out another wicked Overhead Smash winner for Game Point, Deuce, Game Point and the hold) to go up 4-1. Phoenix was broken again (15-Love then point for point until 30-All, Break Point and the break) to fall to 1-5. Samara was then broken (15-Love shifted to 15-30 shifted to Game/Match Point, Deuce, Break Point) to lose the opportunity to close this one out in convincing fashion and then Bobila held (30-Love shifted to 30-All, Game Point, Deuce, Game Point and the hold) to bounce back to 3-5. Nate the Great was broken (30-Love shifted straight to Break Point, Deuce, Break Point and the break) and then The Rising Phoenix held (15-Love then point for point to Game Point, Deuce, Game Point and the hold) to stay alive and level things at 5-5! Hollywood held to stop the bleeding (Love-15 shifted to 30-15, 30-All, Game Point and the hold) and then Bombs Away was broken as he started with a Double Fault and it then went point for point to Break/Match Point and then the break to take the loss! We played this on the South Court from 11:20 (we started hitting at 11:15) to exactly 12:03.
The Skinny: Even when Fernandes/Samara jumped out to that early lead, it was quite obvious what a force in Doubles that Bobila is. We already knew how consistent and steady he was. What we learned was just how much firepower he brings in both his forehand ground-strokes (laced with a lethal dose of topspin) and especially his Overhead Smashes and volleys at the net! It is now no surprise why he has advanced as far as he has in the still ongoing GTA Intermediate Invitational Tournament. Also noteworthy was Jay's improvement at the net where he also scored with several nice winning volleys. Nate was his usual cover the court get-making self. Frank was "Even Steven" as he would make a mistake (like missing on an attempted overhead or volley) only to come back in the next point with an emphatic winner. He jokingly told Fernandes not to worry as that became his pattern of performance, but some level of doubt crept in as we went from 5-1 to 5-5! Thankfully, we finally found the door and were able to shut it just in time.
Chazz Weldon/Senthil Kumar over Dean Delgado/Vinnie De Benedetto, 6-4! No Aces. This was a repeat performance (a pure ditto!) except for the fact that this one took place on the North Court rather than on Center Court (as the first one was). It lasted from 11:40 to 12:19.
Jay Phoenix/William Bobila over Rajan Shah/T.J. Shah, 6-1! T.J.: 1 Ace on Jay. South Court hosted this one from 12:09 to 12:40.
Nathan Fernandes/Dan Martinelli over Frank Samara/Rich Liu, 6-2! No Aces. Since it was already drizzling when we started, I did not even note the games down on paper until we had played five of them (and only a few key winners or errors are mentioned)...so here's the quick breakdown: Nathan held serve (Love-30 shifted straight to Game Point, Deuce, Break Point, 2nd Deuce, Game Point, 3rd Deuce, Game Point, 4th Deuce, Break Point, 5th Deuce, Game Point, 6th Deuce, Game Point and finally the hold), Frank was broken (Love-15 shifted to 30-15 shifted again to Break Point and then the break), Spin held (Triple Game Point reduced to Game Point, but then came the hold), Rich was broken (Love-30, 15-30, Double Break Point and then the break) and then Fernandes held again (15-Love then point for point to Game Point and the hold) as his team took a commanding 5-0 lead! Samara held to get his team onto the scoreboard (15-Love went straight to Double Break/Match Point, Break/Match Point where Rich hit a winning Backhand Volley to survive and get to Deuce, then came Game Point and the hold) and then Martinelli was broken (Love-30, 15-30, Double Break Point and the break) to have his team's lead cut to 5-2 as it would be "no bagel, no breadstick!" But then Liu was broken again (Frank blew an overhead to set up Triple Break/Match Point, then it was Double Break/Match Point and then Break/Match Point where Frank painfully blew a drop shot) to get the "L!" We played this on the North Court from 12:35 to 1:08.
The Skinny: Liu has some really nice shots, but just needs to improve his consistency. This was a tough spot coming in cold against guys who were already warmed-up...and the misty drizzle did not help.
Afterward, Rich had a hitting session with Nate as he tried out one of Dino's racquets (Rich also had a loaner from Hapward's). Somewhere along the way, Liu slipped on the wet court (though he was OK). By 1:20, the steady drizzle intensified to a heavier rain as we all headed for the hills and our awaiting cars!
Meanwhile in Montclair, they were able to finish things as well. Oh Anish, do tell…
The Mountainside Park Result:
2 out of 3 Sets Challenge Match:
Anish Mehta over Ralph Bernard, 6-1, 6-1, to successfully defend his # 2 Rank in the Advanced Division! In the process, Bernard returns to the Advanced Division as the New # 39 Ranked Player. Anish: 1 Ace in the 1st Set.
The AM News: The match was closer than the score shows. I'm trying to recover from an elbow injury, but that probably made my shots even more tricky and annoying to handle, ultimately. My knees are okay at the moment, so I was able to run down a lot of balls. Finally, Ralph had several put-away shots that just missed by an inch or two. He will likely crack The Top 10 of the Advanced Division by the end of the season, though, if he can play more consistently. He has a huge forehand, which just misfired by a little today.
Samara's Notes: Those of us who were in attendance at Cedar Grove on Friday night witnessed that huge forehand firsthand. I thank Anish for his timely reporting of their match and it is good to have Ralph back in the "A" Division where he belongs.
Best wishes,
Frank Samara
gtasamara5@gmail.com
862-596-3354
"Samara hosts 12 at AP, Mehta-Bernard in Montclair!":
There was the usual session of GTA Sunday Tennis at Albion Park in Clifton (hosted by "Hollywood" Frank Samara). Weather forecasts throughout the week had put this session in some doubt. We were able to play...until Mother Nature had her way! And around the same time (with a slightly later start), there was another session at The Mountainside Park Courts in Montclair as buddies "The AM Rush" Anish Mehta and "The Headhunter" Ralph Bernard faced one another in a full 2 out of 3 Sets Challenge Match (as reported by Anish).
We will get to that battle at the end of this report, but first the comings and goings at Albion.
It was 11:05 when "Hollywood" Frank Samara pulled up to the courts Upon his arrival, he saw "Coach" Dino Celis instructing "Spin Doctor" Dan Martinelli and putting him through the paces in an intense workout session as The Doc seeks to drop some pounds. This unique display took place on the North Court.
On Center Court, a Doubles One-Setter was already underway as "The Legendary" Chazz Weldon was teaming with "The Webmaster" Senthil Kumar as they faced off against "Lean Daddy" Dean Delgado and
"The Vin Man" Vinnie De Benedetto.
And over on the South Court, "Nate the Great" Nathan Fernandes and William "Bombs Away" Bobila were having a hitting session with one another. William's new moniker was certainly earned in the upcoming Doubles action as both Nate and I would soon experience firsthand!
At 11:10, Jay "The Rising" Phoenix made his way to the courts. Samara soon told him that the two of them would head over to the South Court to get some Doubles with Fernandes and Bobila.
At 11:40, cousins "Raging" Rajan Shah and "Teej" T.J. Shah (aka The Inseparables) took over Center Court to have a hitting session with one another until the opportunity for some Doubles would arise.
The twelfth and final competitor to arrive was "Richie" Rich Liu at 12:30...just as a light but steady drizzle had started and many players were leaving for the day. But there was enough of us who would stay to make sure that Rich got the chance to play. It was his first time at Albion. He liked the courts and enjoyed the atmosphere.
Now, let's get to the scores!
The Albion Park Results:
Chazz Weldon/Senthil Kumar over Dean Delgado/Vinnie De Benedetto, 6-4! No Aces. Not sure when they got this one underway on Center Court, but it ended at 11:35.
Nathan Fernandes/Frank Samara over Jay Phoenix/William Bobila, 7-5! No Aces. It went like this (midway through, I stopped noting who hit what winners as there was a certain pace to this match that I did not want to disturb with extended stays on the sidelines taking notes): Nathan was broken at Love as William hit a winner and Jay hit a winning volley along the way, Jay was broken (15-Love then point for point until 30-All where Nate hi a winning Overhead Smash for Break Point only to have William hit a fast reflex Backhand Volley winner for Deuce, Break Point again where William scored with a monster Overhead Smash winner for 2nd Deuce, Game Point, 3rd Deuce, Break Point, 4th Deuce, Break Point and finally the break), but Frank was the first to hold serve (30-Love, 30-15, Double Game Point and the hold) for 2-1. William was broken (Double Fault for Triple Break Point, Jay hit a winning Backhand Volley for Double Break Point, Break Point and the break) and Fernandes held (30-Love, 30-15, Double Game Point where William whipped out another wicked Overhead Smash winner for Game Point, Deuce, Game Point and the hold) to go up 4-1. Phoenix was broken again (15-Love then point for point until 30-All, Break Point and the break) to fall to 1-5. Samara was then broken (15-Love shifted to 15-30 shifted to Game/Match Point, Deuce, Break Point) to lose the opportunity to close this one out in convincing fashion and then Bobila held (30-Love shifted to 30-All, Game Point, Deuce, Game Point and the hold) to bounce back to 3-5. Nate the Great was broken (30-Love shifted straight to Break Point, Deuce, Break Point and the break) and then The Rising Phoenix held (15-Love then point for point to Game Point, Deuce, Game Point and the hold) to stay alive and level things at 5-5! Hollywood held to stop the bleeding (Love-15 shifted to 30-15, 30-All, Game Point and the hold) and then Bombs Away was broken as he started with a Double Fault and it then went point for point to Break/Match Point and then the break to take the loss! We played this on the South Court from 11:20 (we started hitting at 11:15) to exactly 12:03.
The Skinny: Even when Fernandes/Samara jumped out to that early lead, it was quite obvious what a force in Doubles that Bobila is. We already knew how consistent and steady he was. What we learned was just how much firepower he brings in both his forehand ground-strokes (laced with a lethal dose of topspin) and especially his Overhead Smashes and volleys at the net! It is now no surprise why he has advanced as far as he has in the still ongoing GTA Intermediate Invitational Tournament. Also noteworthy was Jay's improvement at the net where he also scored with several nice winning volleys. Nate was his usual cover the court get-making self. Frank was "Even Steven" as he would make a mistake (like missing on an attempted overhead or volley) only to come back in the next point with an emphatic winner. He jokingly told Fernandes not to worry as that became his pattern of performance, but some level of doubt crept in as we went from 5-1 to 5-5! Thankfully, we finally found the door and were able to shut it just in time.
Chazz Weldon/Senthil Kumar over Dean Delgado/Vinnie De Benedetto, 6-4! No Aces. This was a repeat performance (a pure ditto!) except for the fact that this one took place on the North Court rather than on Center Court (as the first one was). It lasted from 11:40 to 12:19.
Jay Phoenix/William Bobila over Rajan Shah/T.J. Shah, 6-1! T.J.: 1 Ace on Jay. South Court hosted this one from 12:09 to 12:40.
Nathan Fernandes/Dan Martinelli over Frank Samara/Rich Liu, 6-2! No Aces. Since it was already drizzling when we started, I did not even note the games down on paper until we had played five of them (and only a few key winners or errors are mentioned)...so here's the quick breakdown: Nathan held serve (Love-30 shifted straight to Game Point, Deuce, Break Point, 2nd Deuce, Game Point, 3rd Deuce, Game Point, 4th Deuce, Break Point, 5th Deuce, Game Point, 6th Deuce, Game Point and finally the hold), Frank was broken (Love-15 shifted to 30-15 shifted again to Break Point and then the break), Spin held (Triple Game Point reduced to Game Point, but then came the hold), Rich was broken (Love-30, 15-30, Double Break Point and then the break) and then Fernandes held again (15-Love then point for point to Game Point and the hold) as his team took a commanding 5-0 lead! Samara held to get his team onto the scoreboard (15-Love went straight to Double Break/Match Point, Break/Match Point where Rich hit a winning Backhand Volley to survive and get to Deuce, then came Game Point and the hold) and then Martinelli was broken (Love-30, 15-30, Double Break Point and the break) to have his team's lead cut to 5-2 as it would be "no bagel, no breadstick!" But then Liu was broken again (Frank blew an overhead to set up Triple Break/Match Point, then it was Double Break/Match Point and then Break/Match Point where Frank painfully blew a drop shot) to get the "L!" We played this on the North Court from 12:35 to 1:08.
The Skinny: Liu has some really nice shots, but just needs to improve his consistency. This was a tough spot coming in cold against guys who were already warmed-up...and the misty drizzle did not help.
Afterward, Rich had a hitting session with Nate as he tried out one of Dino's racquets (Rich also had a loaner from Hapward's). Somewhere along the way, Liu slipped on the wet court (though he was OK). By 1:20, the steady drizzle intensified to a heavier rain as we all headed for the hills and our awaiting cars!
Meanwhile in Montclair, they were able to finish things as well. Oh Anish, do tell…
The Mountainside Park Result:
2 out of 3 Sets Challenge Match:
Anish Mehta over Ralph Bernard, 6-1, 6-1, to successfully defend his # 2 Rank in the Advanced Division! In the process, Bernard returns to the Advanced Division as the New # 39 Ranked Player. Anish: 1 Ace in the 1st Set.
The AM News: The match was closer than the score shows. I'm trying to recover from an elbow injury, but that probably made my shots even more tricky and annoying to handle, ultimately. My knees are okay at the moment, so I was able to run down a lot of balls. Finally, Ralph had several put-away shots that just missed by an inch or two. He will likely crack The Top 10 of the Advanced Division by the end of the season, though, if he can play more consistently. He has a huge forehand, which just misfired by a little today.
Samara's Notes: Those of us who were in attendance at Cedar Grove on Friday night witnessed that huge forehand firsthand. I thank Anish for his timely reporting of their match and it is good to have Ralph back in the "A" Division where he belongs.
Best wishes,
Frank Samara
gtasamara5@gmail.com
862-596-3354
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