Ron and William return to the championship courts as they take home the first 3.0 title of the 3.0 tournament season!
The biggest news in tennis in January - THE BIGGEST! - was that the taking place of one of the biggest tournaments of the year - nay, in the world! That's right, the AO, other wise known as the Akron Open "We Love Doubles" Tournament! And in said tournament, tournament tested 3.0 veterans Ron and William took home their combined fifth 3.0 tournament title! That's right, William, fresh off his 55+ National Championship and return to 3.0 tennis, continued his winning ways with his second career 3.0 doubles tournament championship while partner Ron, fresh off a top 10 finish in the D.F.O. Hall of 3.0 Voting, used said spurn to play some amazingly winning tennis to take home his first ever doubles tournament, making him only the sixth 3.0er in 3.0 history to own both a singles and a doubles tournament championship! WHOA! So how'd it happen? FIND OUT HERE!
Round 1 - Ronald/William d. Mark/Jeff 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3)
Ronald and William, the odds on favorites for this event, took on the youngest and most energetic tandem of this event to lead off the tournament, and if Mark and Jeff were intimidated by the combined 100+ 3.0 wins of their opponents, they didn't show it early on! Indeed, Mark and Jeff, perhaps not knowing the legends standing but 78' away from them, came out strong, going tit-for-tat with two of the most experienced - and winningest - 3.0ers around, pushing both sets to deciding tie-breaks. But in said tie-breaks, the experience and winning pedigree of Ronald and William paid off, and in two tight and narrowly contested tie-breaks, these two titans of the 3.0 courts eeked out an all-important first round victory, putting them one match away from 3.0 glory!
Round 2 - Ronald/William d. Scott/William 7-6 (4), 6-1
Despite their well-known winning ways and their home court advantage, Ronald and William had to immediately put their title-hopes on the line against the well-rested and veteran savvy of Scott and William, a no doubt daunting task! Scott and William, veterans of this event, not only were able to scout out their opponents but also walk onto the pristine Towpath courts fresh and rested. Add in William's veteran moxie and 50+ career wins, mostly on the doubles courts, and Ronald and William were in for a tennis battle the likes of which 2022 has yet to see (which is accurate as this was the first 3.0 event of 2022). AND A BATTLE IT TURNED OUT TO BE! Scott and William used their young spring-chicken legs to push their opponents to the brink, pushing the first set to extra innings! But in the bonus round, Ronald and William's experience once again paid huge 3.0 dividends, and the two were able to survive their third straight tie-break! Emboldened by their first set win, Ronald and William used that momentum to break back early in the second, and despite Scott and William's concerted efforts, were able to take the set ... AND THUS THE CHAMPIONSHIP!
Round 3 - Mark/Jeff d. Scott/William 3-6, 7-6 (4), 10-8
Despite the tournament being decided, the Vice-Championship was still up for grabs, and the question remained - would it be the veteran experience of Scott and William or the rookie play of Mark and Jeff? Initially, it looked like experience would pay off, as Scott and William came out firing (metaphorically) to take their first set of the tournament! Newbies Mark and Jeff, however, were able to rally (literally) and get back into the match, pushing their opponents to yet another tie-break, this time taking the tie-break and the set to push the Vice-Championship to all-important, all-deciding THIRD SET SUPER TIE BREAK!!! Back and forth these two went, both hoping to attain Vice-Championship glory! Scott and William's tournament experience gave them an early lead but in the end the home court advantage of tournament newbies Mark and Jeff proved to be the difference, and the two tournament rookies walked away with an impressive runner-up Vice-Championship finish in their first ever tournament event!
Tournament Wrap-up
Finishes
Ronald & William - 2-0
Mark & Jeff - 1-1
Scott & William - 0-2
Records
Congratulations to William, who, with his win, is tied for second all-time with 3.0 tournament championships!
Congratulations to Ron, who, with his two wins, enters rarified 3.0 air in becoming only the second 3.0er in 3.0 history to enter the 30/30 Club - 30 wins in both singles and doubles! Also, congrats to Ron for winning his first ever doubles tournament title, becoming only the sixth 3.0er in 3.0 history to win both a singles and a doubles tournament title in their 3.0 careers!
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