Tournament rookies sweep the entire field en route to winning their first ever 3.0 championship title!
Wow! In a history making 2020, it makes sense that there would be a historic set of Akron Open 3.0 champions! Organized as a one day, round-robin, first to five games event, the Akron Open 3.0 Doubles event, held for the first time since 2017, would see a new tandem of champions who would set a number of new Akron Open doubles records en route to their first ever team title! So how'd it happen? Read on!
Round One
David and Travis led off versus Abhijit and Devender, two big time players on the NEOATP tour (seriously, check it out, it looks kinda cool), who brought Abhijit's booming forehand and Devender's offensive spin to the tournament, and immediately the two jumped out to a fast 2-0 lead. David, though, brought a huge serve, an amazing wingspan at the net, and a vast doubles acumen to the team while Travis brought ... the ability pay the tournament entry fee. Perhaps worried they'd hurt slow-moving Travis with one of Abhijit's awesomely powerful forehands strokes, Abhijit and Devender were soon overpowered by a deadly combination - pity for Travis and David's nearly unreturnable serves - which saw David and Travis come from behind and, surprisingly, take the match.
On the next court, the father-son team of Robert and Tim brought a former 3.0 Midwestern Champion pedigree that certainly made them a dangerous 3.0 team to face. Across the 78' of hardcourt, however, were Robert, one of the winningest 3.0 players in 3.0 history, and Debabrata, relatively new to formal tennis but self-taught on the mean tennis streets of Avon Lake. Robert, covering the backcourt with pinpoint defensive strokes, and Debabrata, putting away the points at the net, proved the pre-tournament prognosticators right as they took their first match of the evening against one of the tournament favorites.
On the far court, legendary 3.0 player and legendary Akron Open player, Bob, teamed with fellow 3.0 veteran John to create a team that combined experience and a winning legacy like none other. Indeed, Bob, one of the winningest 3.0 players in history, holds numerous records, including being a former Akron Open 3.0 singles champion! But across the courts were John and Clay, relatively new to formal tennis, but boasting years of experience from the nearby courts of the surrounding area. With both teams combining amazing hustle, it was no surprise that this match went to a tie-break, as both sides put everything they had into this opening match to get off on the right start. In the end, Bob and John's experience on the Towpath courts proved the difference, as in an amazingly tight tie-breaker (8-6!), the veteran tandem started their tournament run 1-0.
Round Two
David and Travis once again stayed put on the near court, which was good considering how hot and humid and lazy they were, and faced off against the familial doubles bond of Robert and Tim. Robert and Tim, just coming off a tough match versus the tournament favorites, were no doubt a bit gassed, and David and Travis were able to take advantage. David's huge serves combined with Travis' unintentionally weak drop shots gave the two a 2-0 start after another surprising win, leading some to comment, "Man, you're good." Whether they were talking to David or Travis, no one knows (hint: it wasn't Travis).
On the middle court, tie-break warriors John and Clay faced off against Abhijit and Devender, and no doubt exhausted physically and emotionally from their previous match, struggled to get going in match numero dos, giving the hard-hitting Abhijit and agile Devender their first match win of the tournament.
Bob and John once again played on the far court (which by the way, needs to be remedied ... how can you put the legendary Bob on the far court?! The fan DEMANDS better viewing!!) as Robert and Debabrata brought their "A" game to their match. Bob and John, coming off a big first round win, took a moment to get going in round two, but they eventually did, using their experience and ability to get to just about every ball, to likewise get back into the match. But against a 3.0 star like Robert and an up-and-coming 3.0 stalwart like Debabrata, getting going late is often too late, and as a result, Team DebabRobert ended round two with a win to go 2-0. BUT WHAT A MOMENTOUS MATCH! Two of the most winningest 3.0 players in Bob and Robert facing off for the first time! What a treat for the fan (i.e., Greg, who was the only one allowed to watch due to stupid covid).
Round Three
Leading off round three, Bob and John headed - finally! - over the the near court to take on Abhijit and Devender, and, with both teams sitting at 1-1, both teams needed a win to stay in the tournament hunt. Bob and John, already playing an exhaustive tie-breaker and just playing the tournament favs, were no doubt starting to feel the effects of two hard-fought matches, while Abhijit and Devender, starting to find their tennis groove, were getting ready to advance up the tournament ladder. With the tandem of crushing forehands and huge spin, Abhijit and Devender did just that, getting back in the tournament fray with a 2-1 mark.
In the middle court, two teams looking to get off the tennis schnide went at it, but there was only one family SCHNEIDER on the court! The familial tennis bond of Robert and Tim, in which their team communication was almost like that of a father-and-son - almost! - proved to be the difference despite amazing hustle and all-out play from John and Clay.
On the far court, two 2-0 teams faced off with potential tournament championship status on the line, but it was Robert and Debabrata who ran out of the tennis gates first with an early 3-0 lead despite some spirited play by both sides. Indeed, Robert and Debabrata showed key doubles mental strength as they were able to overcome Travis attempting to confuse them by lining up - multiple-times - on the wrong side of the court. But thanks to David's huge serve, David and Travis got back into the match, and had opportunities in multiple games to even the match, as well. But Robert is one of the greatest 3.0 players of all time for a reason, and each time a point was on the line or a shot was needed to be made, Robert and Debabrata were able to come up with just that (which wasn't too hard considering Travis continued to line up in the wrong spot half the match), giving them a commanding 3-0 tournament lead when all was said and done.
Round Four
Thus, standing at 3-0, Robert and Debabrata were in the 3.0 driver's seat, and with a win would essentially clinch the title. Standing in their way 78' way (which I guess isn't really in the way) was the all-out hustle of John and Clay, looking to notch their first tournament victory. Seemingly a mismatch, this match reminded everyone why 3.0 tennis is 3.0 tennis, as John and Clay, combining their all-out hustle, their spin, and their wanting to end the tournament so they could go enjoy an adult beverage, took an early lead against the tournament favorites! Indeed, holding several leads throughout the match, John and Clay took the most games heretofore off the undefeated pair of Robert and Debabrata! Eventually the skill, patience, and veteran experience of Team DebabRobert (as some are calling them), was able to withstand the 3.0 onslaught they were facing, and while they emerged with a victory and a 4-0 record, the assembled crowd could only nod a simple nod of respect to the effort - and the show - that John and Clay had put on.
In the middle court, Abhijit and Devender took on The Schneider Fam of Robert and Tim. The Family Schneider, warming up just like the humid Akron temperatures, found their groove and came out swinging, taking an early lead they'd never relinquish, evening their tournament record at 2-2.
On the far court, David and Travis tried to recover emotionally from their loss to the tournament leaders, but if their spirits were down they'd soon be lifted by gaining a 3.0 bucket list playing item - facing off against the legend that is Bob! Bob and John, combining almost 130 years of tennis playing experience, were the vanguard of 3.0 tennis, as Bob's name quite literally is all over the 3.0 record books and is just one of the reasons he may be a member of the inaugural DFO Hall of 3.0 Fame class (WHICH IS A REAL THING)! David and Travis, inspired by the greatness around them, rose their games to the level of the greatness they were playing just 78' away from them, and, perhaps trying to impress their opponents, played their best overall match of the entire tournament. Indeed, Travis quite literally left his sweat on the court after mastering his patent-pending sitting down lob shot that won the game to put his team up 4-1. Thus, while Bob and John may have fallen, they certainly rose in the esteem of those around them, as simply being on the same court as these two sage tennis gentleman was an honor few players get to achieve!
Round Five
Thus, it all came down to the final round, round five!
Sorta.
On the near court, nearest to the fan, stood Bob and John. Quite appropriate they'd be so close to the fan (sadly, "fan" must be written in the singular) considering it would be Bob and John's last match of the tournament! The two faced off versus Robert and Tim, and despite a a valiant effort and a valiant tournament run, the Schneider Clan was simply en fuego by this point, rolling off their third straight match victory of the tournament to end their father-son journey!
On the next court, David and Travis needed to win in order to maintain pressure on tournament leaders Robert and Debabrata, but facing them across the net were John and Clay, who were hungry for a win. But John and Clay were hungrier for an adult beverage, and despite some amazing hustle considering it was match number five, the tandem fell, exclaiming upon the final point, "Finally! Let's get a drink." Indeed!
Thus, the entire fate of the tournament rested upon the far court, as Abhijit and Devender took on the undefeated Team DebabRobert (we still think that has a ring to it). Based on tiebreakers, Robert and Debabrata needed to win at least two games in their match to secure the tournament victory, but doing that against the best forehand in the tournament and one of the best forehand spins in the tournament would be no easy task, and indeed, Abhijit and Devender came out swinging powerfully and spinfully, putting immediate pressure upon their opponents. But just as they had done all tournament long, despite the heat and the pressure, Robert and Debabrata stayed cool and calm, and whenever they needed a point or a shot, they performed time and time again. Thus, when all was said and done, despite Abhijit and Devender playing fantastic offensive tennis and taking the most games Robert and Debabrata had given up all tournament long, it was the latter who not only emerged with the round five victory, but the tournament victory as well!
Huzzah for Robert and Debabrata! Congratulations to the perfect pair for their perfect tournament run as both earned their first ever 3.0 championships in their first ever attempts with a perfect 5-0 tournament record! Congratulations, too, to David and Travis (but mostly David) for earning runner-up status, which they'll surely brag about way more than is appropriate! And congratulations to Bob for his triumphant return to the Akron Open as he scored victories in both the 3.0 singles and 3.0 doubles events, just adding to his legendary status! CONGRATULATIONS ALL on a great tournament week!
Tournament Records
Robert & Debabrata 5-0
David & Travis 4-1
Robert & Tim 3-2
Abhijit & Devender 2-3
Bob & John 1-4
John & Clay 0-5
Bonus Material
Congratulations to the following on setting all-time, tournament, or individual records!
- Tournament champion Robert earned his 32nd career 3.0 doubles win, which is 10th all-time, and 58th career 3.0 win, good for 5th all-time!
- Fellow tournament champion Debabrata earned his 10th career 3.0 win!
- Runner-up David earned his 11th career tournament 3.0 win, good for 12th all-time!
- Fellow runner-up Travis earned his 8th tournament doubles 3.0 win, which is 8th all-time, his 29th overall tournament 3.0 win, which is 1st all-time, and his 59th career overall 3.0 win, which is 4th all-time (right behind Bob, as it turns out)! HE'S BEEN A 3.0 FOREVER!
- Bob earned his 14th career tournament 3.0 win, 8th all-time, an impressive 48th career 3.0 doubles win, 4th all-time, and an incredibly amazing 67th career overall 3.0 win, good for 2nd all-time! ALL-TIME!!
- Robert the Elder earned his 10th career 3.0 doubles win!
- Abhijit and Devender, earned their first ever official 3.0 wins!
Check here for all the Akron Open 3.0 records!
Wow! What a collection of amazing - and historic - 3.0 players! Congrats all on a fantastic field and a fantastic tournament!
Well done DFO. I really depend on getting my key Cleveland rec 3.0 doubles coverage here and this latest addition did not disappoint!
Also, a big thanks to journalist for their effort in writing things in all caps so I am aware that those statements may contain a higher level of possible factual information.