6/5/17:
"Ortega-Santos part of 18 at C.G.!":
There was an extended session of GTA Monday Tennis at The Cedar Grove Courts as it actually started in the afternoon hours and extended all the way thru the evening and featured a full 2 out of 3 Sets Challenge Match between buddies "Eddie O" Edwin Ortega and "Stealth" Omar Santos (with both reporting). Hosting contributions were made by "The Mel Man" Melvin Hyman, "The K Man" Kris Srinivasan and "Spin Doctor" Dan Martinelli.
We will first go to Mel, then to the combined report from Edwin and Omar and then turn this report over to Kris with Spin batting clean-up at the end.
The Cedar Grove Results:
Brad Gero tied with Melvin Hyman, 6-6 (Incomplete when both decided to retire due to exhaustion and fear of incoming inclement weather)! No Aces (apparently).
The Mel Man delivers: Long rallies, solid play on both ends. Exhaustion and the threat of rain made us call it a day.
Samara's Notes: I thank Mel for not only providing me with his report in a very timely manner, but also for replying to Brad Gero who had issued an Open Challenge to the entire league just looking to play. That is when this league functions at its best when it helps bring people together for some tennis at fairly impromptu moments.
2 out of 3 Sets Challenge Match:
Edwin Ortega over Omar Santos, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, to successfully defend both his # 24 Rank in the Advanced Division and his # 6 Rank in the Intermediate Division! No Aces (apparently).
Omar Santos over Edwin Ortega, 6-4! No Aces (apparently).
Samara's Notes: I thank both Edwin and Omar for submitting their shared results.
We now turn this report over to Kris.
What looked to be a rainy day and evening, just remained a cloudy one thus enabling us to extract a full session!
We could have played out our M2 Men's Doubles Tournament Match if the uncertainty factor was not in play. Senthil Kumar and Vinnie De Benedetto came early, but Dan Martinelli (aka Spin) had indicated that he had things to take care of but would try to make it. He would come eventually, but would only get to play a couple of One-Setters with no stakes . Steaks, may be!
Omar was battling Edwin in Singles. They were in their fourth set (the subsequent One-Setter) after a match where Edwin led 2 sets to one.
I sincerely hope the other players chip in their scores directly. A few players didn't get to play much or get to be teamed right. Rob Gawley potentially made the Canadian Doubles more popular.
Samara's Notes: All I got is what Mel, Edwin, Omar, Kris and Spin have contributed. All else will have to remain unofficial, unfortunately. And now we get the scores from Kris.
Senthil Kumar/Vinnie De Benedetto over Kris Srinivasan/Jordan Bachvaroff, 7-5! Jordan: 1 Ace on Vinnie!
It was a good solid One-Setter where we came nicely from behind 2-5 to level the scores before blowing it up. Vinnie was his vintage self and Senthil was terrific in all departments, the most enchanting were his gets throughout the night. Jordan served the best of the lot, but missed out on some net plays. Unforced errors were our nemesis, but we did put them on a leash in the better part of the match.
Samara's Notes: Kris may have just inadvertently coined another moniker – "Vintage Vinnie!"
Kris Srinivasan/Jordan Bachvaroff over Senthil Kumar/Vinnie De Benedetto, 6-3! Jordan: 1 Ace on Senthil!
Jordan immediately after losing the first one quickly challenged for a rematch and uncorked a new set of balls. As such, Joe Rodrigues missed out on playing with us, even after having waited a bit. He did get involved in some hitting with Nathan Fernandes and Tom La. And, eventually, he got to play a set.
Nathan Fernandes/Natalia Sout over Joe Rodrigues/Tom La, 6-4! No Aces.
This must have been some match with Nate n Nat taking out two solid players. It bodes very well for their Mixed Doubles Tourney sojourn starting soon.
Senthil Kumar/Kris Srinivasan over Lou La Forgia/Jordan Bachvaroff, 7-6 (7-4)! No Aces.
Lou was solid and steadfast. Senthil indeed was the star for our team. We were down Love-2 and progressed ever so slowly, constantly behind. We did well to come from behind 2-4, 3-5 and then to lead 6-5! It would go to a TB in which we prevailed. We did capitalize on Jordan's errors and misses, neutralizing Lou.
Senthil Kumar/Kris Srinivasan tied with Jordan Bachvaroff/Tito Castolo, 4-4 (Incomplete when the lights went out at 10pm)! No Aces.
We were behind first and then leading 4-2 before a good comeback to end it as a draw.
Doinks Srinivasan teamed with Don Moya to take out Spin and Janice Wang in 2 One-Setters, but the second one, I believe, was a cliffhanger. Spin will provide his insights of both.
We got lucky to have a full session for the night. Cheers!
Samara's Notes: As always, I thank Kris for his hosting services at Cedar Grove and following up with such entertaining reports. We now let the man known as Spin close out this report.
After a few back and forth e-mails with Kris and Vinnie, it was decided we would play our match on Friday night instead. Kris, Vin and Senthil could be there by 6pm, but I could not. I was able to get up to Cedar Grove, but it was already a little bit past 8pm.
Upon my arrival, contests were underway on two courts while Don and Janice were involved in a hitting session. Shortly after my arrival, Doinks made her way to the courts and it was decided that Don and Doinks would battle Janice and Spin. Later arrivals were Lou, Rob and Tito. Dino Celis arrived last and made his customary late night cameo…a cameo that would go late into the night!
Don Moya/Doinks Srinivasan over Dan Martinelli/Janice Wang, 6-3! Don: 1 Ace on Janice; and Janice: 1 Ace on Doinks!
Don Moya/Doinks Srinivasan over Dan Martinelli/Janice Wang, 6-2! Don: 2 Aces on Janice!
The Spin from Spin: Even though the scores were a tad different, the sets were very similar in composition. It turned out that "the old man" would once again be the weakest link. Janice played very well using crisp, stinging shots from both wings with little to no errors. Doinks was up to the task as she traded strokes with Janice all night long. A match between the two of them would be very interesting.
Don was impressive. His service game was top notch. His net game was even better. Every time Janice and I got close to getting another game or two, our opponents would rise up and shut the door. They would take no part in a comeback of any kind.
It turned out that Natalia had "the line of the night" when after Dino showed her the video of Spin being put through some tennis drills which occurred Sunday morning, Natalia said, "He runs like my dog!" We all had a very hearty laugh about that even after she left.
After the lights went out, Doinks, Kris, Nate, Dino and I hung out all the way to 11:15 sharing stories and telling tall tales. Some of those tales were very tall. The rains never did show up and only when we were ready to leave did a fine mist start to fall. The GTA faithful would not be undone. It was a grand night!
Samara's Notes: It is amazing how such tall tales can emanate from such a "little disgusting man!" LOL! In all seriousness, I thank Spin for "bringing up the rear" (as he is so happy to do) with this report and often acting as a co-host up at the place simply known as C.G.!
Sincerely,
Frank Samara
862-596-3354
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