Day two brought another great display of low-level 3.0 tennis as semi-finals took place in both the PWC 3.0 Championship and Consolation brackets. So, not only did the assembled masses (plural this time!) get to witness some solid tennis, but more high school level youth got to witness the pros and (mostly) cons of trying to learn a sport when you are way, way past your prime.
Wrapping up the first round matches, veteran David took on rookie Roger in what looked to be a classic match in contrasts. David's hard-serving, net-charging play would face off versus Roger's all-court game, and after one set, all was even with but one break making the difference as Roger took an early 7-5 lead. In the second, David's well-known swashbuckling, go-for-broke approach pushed Roger to the limit, but unlike Travis from the previous day, David wasn't enjoying the lucky bounce, and as a result, Roger advanced to the semi's with a 7-5, 6-0 win while David high-fived his way to the Consolation bracket, a bracket he claimed "Man, I know allllll too well."
Now with the Final Four In the Championship bracket in hand, hard-serving Pat took on the all-around, all-court game of Roger in the first semi-final, and just like Pat's previous match, this one, too, was a lengthy one. Pat's serve, the number one serve in the entire 3.0 bracket, was once again on target, winning him several points as he continued to punish the poor tennis ball into oblivion.
Roger, utilizing his all-court game, played some great defense to stay in the points and to move Pat around, but after more than two hours, and after over three hours of tennis with hardly any break, Roger fell to Pat 7-5, 7-5 as Pat moved on to the championship final. Roger, meanwhile, enjoyed a fantastic first tournament, taking his first ever tourney win, showing some amazing fitness, and pushing the player who looks to be the odds on favorite to win the entire PWC to the very brink.
In the second semi-final, 3.0 veteran (which sounds like a good thing but really ... isn't) took on tournament rookie Paul. Paul, gassed from his epic three setter from the previous night, a three setter that is up for match of the tournament and possibly match of the 3.0 season, put on a valiant display in his first ever semi-final, showing some quality forehands and serves throughout the match. And while Travis' serve and net game was mostly on target in this match, the biggest factor, once again, was that Lady Luck was on Travis' side (which is probably illegal seeing as this is a MEN'S bracket), and whenever an important point came into play, the ball would inevitably bounce his way.
While the score looked lopsided, the games were quite close, and despite a 0&1 win, Travis was pushed by a player that is sure to make some noise in future events. As to Travis' future events, he advanced to his first ever PWC non-consolation championship match.
Speaking of the Consolation Bracket, rookie John took on veteran Ben, and using fantastic defense and mobility, John enjoyed his first tournament win 4&4 to also advance to his first ever final. In the finals, John will face Abhi, who's all-court play took down hard-serving and net-charging David 7-5, 6-0, who exclaimed, "Gotta say, every tournament I'm getting better and better ... at getting worse and worse." David, the Poet of 3.0 Tennis!
Thus, after two days, the finals for both brackets were set! In the Consolation Championship, veteran Abhi's all-court game will take on John's all-court game in what looks to be a classic baseline contest.
In the Championship finals, Pat's amazing serves go against the defensive prowess of Travis' lack-of-talent pusher-ability. In terms of who is favored, both players are new to the PWC championship courts, so nerves may obviously come into play. And while Pat has had to endure four-plus hours of court time in two grueling matches where fatigue may come into play, this reporter has it on good knowledge that Travis' back is ailing him and he has had to utilize the DoubleFault.Org insurance health plan (i.e., Advil, IcyHot, and six adult beverages). So while this may be close, edge is certainly to Pat, but both players look to leave everything on the court (kinda like that J.V. kid the other night who lost his shoe on the court during practice and had to run around with one NIKE on) in order to take home the shiny plastic trophy that their kids will totally and completely not care about.
Stay tuned!
Would love to see player profiles and interviews with those who seem as if they’re regulars?!