It's finally here! The biggest 3.0 event of the season, the Akron Open, is upon us! Regularly the most attended of all the 3.0 Major* events, the Akron Open is a literal who's-who of 3.0 stars! From new players looking to make a name for themselves on the 3.0 tour to grizzled veterans looking add to their legacy to random people who just happened to show up with a tennis racquet, the Akron Open, the longest running USTA 3.0 Major* event in all of O-H-I-O, and possibly ... THE WORLD ... is here! (That actually doesn't sound possible, but we aren't going to look it up to confirm, so we are sticking with that statement for right now)
While the Akron Open has had to, for obvious reasons, change up it's format, the 3.0 event is still on, but rather than taking place over a series of days, it'll be a one day extravaganza, which will no doubt even the playing field and make for one of the more exciting Akron Open's of ALL-TIME! EVER!
So Here we go! The biggest tournament of the season is here and numerous questions shall be asked AND MAYBE ONE OR TWO WILL EVEN BE ANSWERED!
Questions such as ...
Will Joshua repeat his 3.0 Singles title? NO!
Bold prediction? NO! Joshua, now a 3.5, now lacks the one incredibly vital facet necessary for 3.0 competition - lack of talent! So now that Joshua is statistically considered too good and is enjoying the 3.5 life, there is GUARANTEED to be a new 3.0 Akron Open Champion!
Will someone best John's record five wins in one tournament record? NO!
Bold prediction? NO! As the event will be a Compass Draw where everyone is promised three matches, John's record is safe! Rest easy, John!
Will all of these players that are previewed play? MAYBE!
Bold prediction? MAYBE! Originally, only eight entries were allowed, meaning some applicants were going to be invited NOT to participate (just like I was back when asking for prom dates, so an invitation to not attend something is still an invitation, right...?). But word has it there might be a change to the event format ... so MAYBE!
Will Matt extend their tournament record appearances, wins, and matches streaks? MAYBE!
Bold prediction? MAYBE! Matt has signed up meaning he could extend his record ... IF HE SHOWS UP! WHOA!
So, who is playing? Who isn't? Who has the best chance to WIN IT ALL! Find out ... HERE!
3.0 Singles
(Players previewed by date they signed up, because, as they say, "availability is sometimes the best ability" ... or at least we say that)
Bob Shearer ... 59-45 overall, 17-14 in singles ... TennisRecord.Com rating: 2.17 ... 2012 Midwest Standing: #402 ... Singles Tournament Experience/Highlights: One title, (2010 Akron Open Champion) and one finalist finish (2007 Akron Open) ... Pros: One of the legendary names in 3.0 tennis, Bob makes his return to the Akron Open 3.0 event after an eight year absence ... one of the most decorated 3.0 players in Akron Open 3.0 history, Bob's name is conspicuously displayed on several Akron Open 3.0 Record Boards, including 4th all-time in appearances, 5th in singles wins and 6th in overall wins, 7th in overall appearances, and 3rd in finals appearances ... with over 11 years and well over 50 wins at the 3.0 level, Bob is among the all-time winningest 3.0 players in Ohio history, bringing a level of 3.0 experience second to none ... with 3.0 singles wins in league, tournament, and playoff play, he clearly knows his way around the pressure-packed courts of 3.0 tennis ... among the top 10 all-time in 3.0 wins, Bob's all-court game, as well as history, will be on display at the 2020 Akron Open!
Travis Haselswerdt ... 50-29 overall, 41-23 in singles ... TennisRecord.Com rating: 3.00 ... 2019 Midwest Standing: #2 ... Singles Tournament Experience/Highlights: Three titles ('18 Akron Open, '19 Wooster Aspen Championships, '20 Paramount Winter Championships), two Vice-Championships (which is a fancy way to say "runner-up" ... '17 Paramount Fall Classic, '19 Akron Open), two Consolation Titles ('18-19 PWC) ... Pros: Mobility and general overall consistency ... "pusher" mindset/ability/lack of ability ... solid backhand and net play ... such terrible ground strokes that he plays serve and volley more than most ... incredibly slow pace on most shots lulls opponents to sleep ... loud and obnoxious outfits temporarily (and sometimes permanently) blind opponents...
H. Michael Wiant ... 0-0 overall, 0-0 in singles ... TennisRecord.Com rating: Unknown ... 2019 Midwest Rating: None ... Singles Tournament Experience/Highlights: First 3.0 tournament ... Pros: The fact H. Michael has no known 3.0 record, no known 3.0 ranking, and no known 3.0 rating clearly puts him at the head of this year's Akron Open 3.0 class and makes him an immediate Akron Open 3.0 favorite! ... incredible patience and amazing control on both forehand and backhand side ... a former high school player, H. Michael just came out of tennis retirement to take the 2020 Akron Open 3.5 Championships by storm, going 3-0 and earning his first ever title in his first ever attempt!
George Roth ... 3-3 overall, 3-3 in singles ... TennisRecord.Com rating: 3.0T ... 2019 Midwest Standing: #9 ... Singles Tournament Experience/Highlights: '19 Green Open Semi-Finalist ... Pros: Extensive USTA league doubles experience combined with USTA tournament singles experience shows overall all-court game ... in two tournaments defeats, both losses have come to the eventual tournament champion, showing he's not an easy out by any means ... has spent most of his USTA league career playing up at the 6.5 level, showing he won't be intimidated by 3.0 level play...
Tom Mullee ... 5-8 overall, 0-1 in singles ... TennisRecord.Com rating: 2.78 ... Midwest Ranking: None ... Singles Tournament Experience/Highlights: First tournament ... Pros: Limited singles experience but extensive league doubles experience is evidence of his all-court game ... has played most his league career at the nigh-impossible 3.5 level, showing he has the 3.0 quality necessary to make a run ... strong and consistent serve combined with top-notch court-smarts, Tom rarely puts himself in a bad tactical position ... overall solid game with no outright weaknesses, Tom doesn't defeat himself...
Jeff Scafaro ... 0-0 overall, 0-0 in singles ... TennisRecord.Com rating: 2.59 ... No Midwest
Standing, Played in New Mexico or Texas; it's a mystery! ... Singles Tournament Experience/Highlights: No 3.0 experience, but Consolation Finalist in New Mexico Highpoint Open 55+ event ... Pros: While still searching for his first win in career league and tournament play that's a bit misleading as he has played all league and tournament play has been at higher 3.5 or Open levels, showing he's been prepping for the 3.0 tour for years ... Southwest tennis playing experience will no doubt bring a unique playing style to a tournament full of Midwestern style play...
Aaron Reuben ... 0-0 overall, 0-0 in singles ... TennisRecord.Com rating: Unknown ... No Midwest standing, but as he resides in Kentucky, geographers are still determining if that counts as "Midwest" ... Singles Tournament Experience/Highlights: First tournament ... Pros: Extensive out-of-state Kentucky experience, which some claim is a completely different state than the state in which Akron resides, indicates a completely different style of play than what players in Northeastern Ohio are used to ... originally from the local area, enjoys high school state-level tennis experience in his schooling background, showing he's competed against the best of the best when it comes to tournament play ... completely unknown, he's clearly a favorite to reach the finals!
Kody Seibold ... 0-0 overall, 0-0 in singles ... TennisRecord.Com rating: Unknown ... No Midwest standing, but hailing from Michigan, he is clearly in the Midwest! ... Singles Tournament Experience/Highlights: First tournament ... Pros: Hailing from out of state, he'll no doubt bring a different style of tennis than most the field is used to, as everyone knows every single state plays their tennis completely and totally differently ... like Aaron and H. Michael, his unknown status indicates that he'll be in the final round when all is said and done!
Gabriel Lidderdale ... 0-0 overall, 0-0 in singles ... Tennis Record.Com rating: Unknown ... Midwest Standing: Unknown ... Singles Tournament Experience: First tournament ... Pros: Another former high school player, Gabriel enjoys not only recent tennis success, but has also played home matches on these very courts, giving him a home court advantage that will not doubt play a large role in his pending success on the courts of Akron!
David Gann ... 11-18 overall, 9-13 in singles ... TennisRecord.Com rating ... 2.76 ... Midwest Standing: None .... Singles Tournament Experience: '18 PWC Finalist, '19 PWC Consolation Finalist ... Pros: With over 70 total matches, 3.0 and beyond, male to mixed, Dave has some of the most diverse and extensive tennis experience in the entire draw ... big serve is a big weapon that wins a lot of big points ... with vast doubles experience, David's acumen at the net is also a big advantage ... big wingspan and big height make it difficult to pass and especially to lob ... probably the biggest 3.0 player to ever play the game of 3.0 tennis ... fantastic, upbeat attitude illustrates strong mental toughness ... Cons: Upbeat attitude and mental toughness will be tested as he is also teaming up with Travis, who has a terrible attitude and is incredibly mentally weak, in the 3.0 Doubles event...
Scott Hovey ... 3-0 overall, 2-0 in singles ... TennisRecord.Com rating ... 3.0S ... Midwest Standing: None .... Singles Tournament Experience: First tournament ... Pros: Currently 3-0 in his first season in USTA 3.0 league play, Scott enjoys an undefeated 2-0 mark in USTA 3.0 league singles ... while this is his first tournament experience, his two singles wins have come over tournament tested 3.0 veterans, Benjamin Young and Timothy Griffith, showing Scott has what it takes to make a deep tournament run in his maiden 3.0 tournament voyage!
Matt Birkbeck ... 49-29 overall, 33-15 in singles ... TennisRecord.Com rating ... 3.00 ... Midwest Standing: #11 2015-2016 .... Tournament Experience: one title (2016 Paramount Winter Championships), two Vice-Championships ('14 and '16 Akron Open Championships, '19 PWC), three Consolation Finals ('11-13 AOC) ... Pros: One of the most decorated 3.0 players
of the last decade, Matt brings a wealth of league, playoff, and tournament experience to this year's Akron Open ... quite literally his home tournament, Matt boasts a number of Akron Open records, including 3rd all-time in appearances (5), 1st in singles wins (16), singles matches (25), and total singles finals appearances (5) ... not only that, Matt holds a number of Ohio 3.0 records, including 4th all-time tournament singles wins (16), 3rd in overall tournaments wins (22), 1st in playoff singles wins (7), 4th in overall playoff wins (7), 4th in overall singles wins (33), and 8th in overall wins (49) ... a champion on every level, Matt holds Flight, Midwest, and tournament titles to his name ... a solid all-court game, Matt can play both from the baseline and at the net with equal aplomb ... as most his matches tend to go the distance, Matt's endurance and mental fortitude make him a favorite on any court he walks on!
Conclusion
Wow! What a gamut of players at this year's 2020 Akron Open 3.0 Championships! From 3.0 legends like Bob and Matt to tournament tested 3.0ers like Dave and Travis to established 3.0 league players like George and Tom to former high-level secondary school tennis players like Aaron, Gabriel, and H. Michael to out of state players like Jeff and Kody, to 3.0 rookies like Scott, this year's tournament has it all! Knowledge! Experience! Michigan! Mysteries!
Oh ... by the way ...
Preview Formula Rationale (because we know you care):
The following previews count both U.S.T.A. tournament AND U.S.T.A. league play records and unless otherwise noted focus on the highest level of entry level play one can participate in - that's right, 3.0 tennis! - and dismisses other levels, unless otherwise noted ... because we are just THAT dedicated to providing super in-depth analysis ... and it's basically a lock-down, so we have time to do this because we are stuck inside. Thanks, Covid. Also, we include ratings from TennisRecord.Com which provides even more in-depth analysis for those of us that like going down the tennis stats rabbit hole. Moreover, we also include the completely irrelevant and almost impossible to understand U.S.T.A. Midwest Men's 3.0 NTRP Singles PPR Standings List, which includes years from 2012 to 2019. Please don't ask us what it means or how it's calculated or how there can be a standings list of the best 3.0 players in the entire Midwest that only calculates two total events from 2019 or the fact they only list 21 total rankings and we are guessing there MAY be more than 21 total 3.0 players in the entire Midwest, but hey, who are we to question things we don't understand.
The predictions contained in this piece (note, I did not say POS) were eerily accurate and reflect the kind of intense, hard-core rigor only DFO puts into their research. I know where I'm going for inside information the next time I'm ready to hand my bookie my last $5 (which did not turn out so well for me and my marriage the last time).