Ben and Erik, champions of the world! And by world, obviously we mean AKRON!
The final event of the Akron Open 3.0 series came to an exciting 3.0 end as 3.0 veteran Benjamin, joined by second year 3.0 star Erik, took home their first ever tag-team title at the grandaddy (or grandmammy, we don't want to be presumptuous!) 3.0 event of them all, the Akron Open!
When all was said and done, Benjamin added his name to 3.0 lore with his second ever 3.0 doubles title, Erik tasted sweet, sweet championship victory for the first time ever, Ron and Will chalked up even more 3.0 records, and the Family Schneider enjoyed their best tournament showing to date, warming the hearts of all! How'd it all go down? FIND OUT BELOW IN OUR TOTALLY NOT MADE-UP* REVIEW!
*This is totally made-up.
Tournament Results
Tournament Highlights
As seen above, five of the finest 3.0 tandems around made their way to the pristine Towpath courts to show off their 3.0 skills, and boy-howdy, what an opening lineup the many, many, many fans were immediately shown as defending champs (sorta) Ron and Will took on 2021 vice-champions (or runner's-up depending on your word choice) Benjamin and Erik! In this marquee 3.0 match, Ron and Will not only enjoyed home court advantage (as they're both members of Towpath), but also over 50 competitive matches together, meaning they know each others games like the back of a - wait for it - backhand (hey oh!). Benjamin and Erik, though, had something equally enormous on their side - DESIRE! Yes, desire to right the perceived wrongs of the previous year when they finished 2nd in this very event to the Great Scott Hovey. And on this day, desire to not only win but to honor their inspiration, THE GREAT SCOTT HOVEY, won out as Benjamin's laser serves and Erik's imposing net-play came out en fuego, giving them the early win and an early advantage for the title!
The father-son duo of Tim and Robert, though, veterans of these courts as well, got off to an equally fast start despite a spirited comeback from tournament newbies Mark and Jim, which was all the more important as The Family Schneider had to next face two legendary players, Ron and Will, in round 2 (we think ... we're honestly not sure of the order of events ... but to make it more dramatic, here you go!). Ron and Will, looking to get on the winning side, came out strong, but Schneider and Son were up for the task, and gave as good as they got! It wasn't until bonus tennis was completed - a seventh deciding game! - that Ron and Will were able to get their much deserved first win of the event, giving both teams 1-1 records after two matches!
On the next court (or a court ... we're not sure), Peacock and Andrew, after a tough-fought first match bonus-tennis win, took on Benjamin and Erik, who had to be wary of being emotionally empty after such an important - and bucket-list! - first round victory! But wary they were, and with Benjamin's leadership (this, his 16th tournament appearance, is 3rd all-3.0-time!) and Erik's unquenchable thirst for victory (and carb-laden adult power beverages), the duo would not be denied their second straight tournament win, putting them in the 3.0 lead with their 2-0 standing!
With three other teams at 1-1, the third round matches would be of vital importance, and Schneider and Co., knowing the score (which isn't always easy at the 3.0 level), put forth a strong display versus a hard-charging Mark and Jim, looking for their first victory of the event. Robert, using his experience, and Tim, using his youth, were the perfect combination, and were able to leave round three with the win, keeping them in the hunt with their 2-1 mark. Ron and Will, meanwhile, took on Peacock and Jim, and in a back-and-forth, winner take all, no holds barred, all the metaphors you can think of match, it was tournament newbies P & J (a nickname we're sure they enjoy) who pulled out the stunner of the tourney, defeating the legendary pairing that is Ron and Will!
Which set up a winner take all (again?!) match in round four as Benjamin and Erik would face-off versus The Schneider Clan with all the tennis marbles at stake! ALL OF THEM! The Schneiders of Akron (as they're called), had momentum on their side, but Benjamin and Erik had rest on their side, as they were able to enjoy their third round bye while their opponents had to give everything they had for three straight rounds! No doubt this rest played a role, for Benjamin and Erik, powered by rest, were able to enjoy their third straight 3.0 win, putting themselves in the 3.0 drivers seat!
But to secure the title they'd have to win yet one more match, this time versus on this marathon day of tennis while P & J, with a win versus Team Schneider, could put pressure on Benjamin and Erik. Not willing to put anything to chance, Benjamin, the veteran of the pairing, unleashed the tennis animal within Erik, and with that, Erik changed into his one-of-a-kind tennis shirt, stormed the court, and dominated the match to secure not only the win, but their first ever 3.0 championship as well!
And with that, the Akron Open was complete! Congratulations to all the participants on a fantastic tournament!
Records
Benjamin & Erik 4-0
Schneider & Son 2-2
Will & Ron 2-2
Peacock & Andrew 2-2
Mark & Jim 0-4
Notes
Congratulations to Will, who, with his 8-4 tournament record, ranks #5 all-time in tournament doubles wins!
Congratulations as well to Ron, who raised his career win record to 77, #8 all-time!
Congratulations triple-time to Benjamin, who's 25 combined tournament wins ranks #3 all-time!
SO MANY RECORDS!
i am so proud of Erik! He is learning well from me