The Setting
The 2020 Paramount Winter Championships started off with some high quality low level U.S.T.A. tennis yesterday as the 3.0 vanguard took the courts as the opening acts of the first tournament of the new decade.
After the ceremonial handing out of the free tournament t-shirts, the three scheduled 3.0 matches headed to their designated courts with the assembled crowds (the high school girls J.V. tennis teams practicing on the adjacent courts) no doubt excited to witness the opening matches of the 2020 PWC.
While David and Roger's match was moved to Saturday (which makes sense, as David, a member of the Medina Paramount club, is a marquee 3.0 name who deserves a marquee center stage time and a marquee center court), the other three matches took their courts.
Abhi and Pat, as the highest TennisRecord.Com rated players, deservedly took Court 1, while Paul and John took Court 5 and Ben and Travis took Court 6 (while the J.V. girls teams had the remaining courts, no doubt scheduled so they would learn what tennis really can be ... if you don't practice and just show up).
Pat 6-4, 7-6(1) over Abhi
Abhi and Pat played a classic match, as Abhi used his speed and mobility to keep the ball in play while Pat used his huge serves to put the points away. After a closely contested first set, the second was even tighter, only to end in a tie-break as Pat walked away with a well-earned 6-4,7-6(1) victory. Abhi now moves to the Consolation Bracket where his amazing defensive ability makes him not just a favorite, but a fan favorite as well. Pat, who clearly possesses the best service game in the 3.0 tournament, looks to play the winner of Saturday's David versus Roger match, and looks to be the new tournament favorite, not just because of his serve, but also because he is scheduled to play the winner of the David versus Roger match just minutes after that match ends, meaning he MAY enjoy a slight (or major) fitness advantage.
Paul 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (12-10) over John
The two newest players in the tournament, Paul and John, may in fact be new to tournament tennis, but they are not new to classic tennis drama as both put on an instant 3.0 classic that is sure to be talked about for much of the 2020 season (if by no one else than this blog) and is a clear early potential nominee for 3.0 Match of the Year. Indeed, the most epic match of the evening, both went back and forth for more than two hours as John's fitness helped him to an early lead. Paul, however, would not be denied, and with the combination of his solid topspin serve and his steady one-handed backhand, Paul enjoyed his first ever victory in most historic fashion. Both players should be proud of their effort, and John's fitness and hockey-player, blue-collar attitude will no doubt help him in his Consolation match Saturday while Paul's serve and backhand definitely make him a tough out as he moves on to the semi-finals of the tournament.
Travis 6-2, 6-1 over Ben
Two tournament tested 3.0 veterans, veterans who had entered the same previous six events but never played one another until this match, finally faced off when Travis and Ben took Court 6. The first point proved to be an epitome of the match, though, as Ben had three solid returns but Travis was able to get each back, finally culminating in a lucky stab-volley at the net that resulted in a winner. In a nutshell, that was the match, as Travis enjoyed every possible bit of luck (including a ridiculously lucky double-net-bouncer that rolled the right way for Travis to earn* another point). Ben played well, as his groundstrokes, especially his forehand, were on target, but Travis, playing well at the net and uncharacteristically well with his serve and enjoying an insane amount of good luck, was able to prevail in a match that was much closer than the score indicated. Moving on to play in the Consolation match Saturday, the Ben versus John match looks to be a high-quality one, as Ben's groundstrokes versus John's mobility should be a classic tennis contrast. Meanwhile, Travis will move on to the semi-finals and face tournament rookie Paul, who's serve could give him some major headaches.
Day One Summary
After an exciting opening evening of 3.0 tennis, the assembled fans (the J.V. tennis teams and their parents who weren't watching) were given much to excited about (had they been watching). Abhi showed great defense while Pat illustrated a first class 3.0 serve; John and Paul put on a classic back-and-forth, drama filled, show; Travis showed what luck looks like over and over and over again while Ben put on a 3.0 forehand display; meanwhile, both showed what two great beards can look like.
Which leads to one question ... WHAT WILL DAY TWO BRING?! Check back for more updates!
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