Takes both 3.0 and 3.5 Championships!
In an epic year, it's no surprise that the Akron Open 3.0 Championships would enjoy an epic champion, and that epic winner (times two!) is none other than H. Michael Wiant! Indeed, as H. Michael walked away with not one but TWO shiny trophies (well, technically, he walked away with no trophies, for, per C-19 regulations, nothing could be passed out, but he did get to at least pose by the trophy while the rest of the field could simply look at it from afar ... so close, yet ... so far). Enjoying an undefeated week, going 3-0 in the 3.5 event the Sunday before and then literally turning around (because he had to go home in between events), and going 6-0 in the always rough and tumble 3.0 event the next Sunday, H. Michael ran the tennis version of a gauntlet, taking down a literal who's who of 3.0 stars! So how'd he do it? And how did the rest of the field manage? Let's find out!
Bracket A
In Round One, tournament newbie Kody, hailing from the mean tennis streets of Detroit, Michigan, matched up against tournament veteran Bob, hailing from LEGENDARY STATUS! Indeed, Bob, one of the winningest 3.0 players in Ohio 3.0 history and a former Akron Open 3.0 Champion, defended Ohio's honor against Michigan with a close, tie-breaking win, thus showing that you can't spell O-H-I-O without B-O-B. Kody, though, enjoyed the amazing honor of having his first official match against one of the most historic players in all of O-H-I-O (I think we are incapable of saying the world without actually spelling it out). So win-win! On the next court over, Kentucky's Aaron enjoyed a walk-over win as Jeff didn't show up, though he did get to hit with last week's top eight 3.5 player Lia, who came out at a moment's notice to help give the field some much needed upper-level hitting! On the near court, tournament rookie but league tested Tom took on tournament tested and league tested David (apparently David has been tested a lot), and as Tom explained later, "Man, this is too early to play tennis." Indeed! David, working his way back into game shape after a long lay off, enjoyed the victory over Tom who was working his way towards waking up.
In Round Two, Bob enjoyed the walkover to start an UNsurprising 2-0 while Kody enjoyed his first career 3.0 win in a tight match over slightly winded and trying to get into shape David. Congratulations Kody! Tom, warming up as the matches went on, played a strong match versus Aaron, but Aaron's Kentucky style play proved to be the winning recipe in this match, and the out-of-stater started his maiden tournament run with an impressive 2-0 start.
In Round Three, David had to try to rebound quickly, as he was taking on former 2010 Akron Open 3.0 Champion Bob. A bucket-list match, to be sure, David was no doubt nervous - as anyone would be! - as his serve failed him while Bob's ability to get back every single shot within reach kept point after point after point alive. But David in fact did rebound, and with his impressive net-play and the fact he's about 7' tall, he was able to get back in the match and take the victory in very tight tie-breaker! Tom, meanwhile, enjoyed his first official USTA tournament win - a walk-over over Jeff - while Aaron continued his undefeated run with a victory over Kody, showing you can't spell Aaron without K-E-N-T-U ... well, you get the idea.
In Round Four, David needed the win to put pressure on Aaron if he were to challenge for Bracket A supremacy, but after such a huge previous match against such a huge name in 3.0 tennis, it's not surprising that David went through a bit of an emotional let-down, and that opening was all Aaron needed to get the edge and, with his fluid strokes, the victory. Kody, though, enjoyed his second straight victory, a moment he'll no doubt always remember, when he scored his walk-over over Jeff. Congrats Kody! On the far court, Bob needed the win over Tom to stay in the race with Aaron, but Tom, inspired by his walk-over win versus Jeff, brought his "A" game, and perhaps finally truly awake, he rose to the occasion, and in a tight, and tiring, match, found the angles to find his first official win against one of the best 3.0ers of all-time!
Thus, with Aaron enjoying a two win lead over his closest Bracket B competitor, the Bracket B standings were set by Round Five, but these are professional 3.0ers we are talking about, and they weren't about to just up and leave even though the standings for Bracket B were already set. Except, well, Tom. Tom, who was set to play Detroit's native son Kody, tweaked his hamstring in his epic match versus Bob, and taking a well earned injury timeout that he said may last until the next tournament, stated, "Listen, I saw that kid Kody play, my hamstring doesn't need that." With Tom handing Kody the third win of his young 3.0 career, Kody cemented 3rd place in Bracket B, a fantastic showing in his first ever event! David, technically also enjoying a walk-over win versus Jeff, hit around with 3.5er Lia, no doubt proud of his 2nd place Bracket finish, while Aaron enjoyed a tennis-lesson - and possibly a life-lesson - in his win versus the cagey veteran and potential DFO Hall of 3.0 Famer (yes, it's a thing), Bob!
Thus, when the tennis ball felt settled, the standings for Bracket B were as follows:
Aaron 5-0
David 3-2
Kody 3-2
Bob 2-3
Tom 2-3
Jeff 0-5
So who would Aaron play in the finals? LET'S FIND OUT!
Bracket B
In Round One, H. Michael had the unenviable task of taking on former two-time Akron Open 3.0 finalist Matt. Matt, holding numerous Akron Open records, is one of the star names in the 3.0 world, and with close to 50 wins at the 3.0 level could be heard to brag, "That just means I'm getting old." Indeed! But H. Michael's precision groundstrokes proved to be the difference as he earned an early, but important, win over one of the biggest names in 3.0 tennis. On the next court over, 3.0 doubles veteran George took on 3.0 rookie Scott. Scott, enjoying a fantastic inaugural league season, continued his fantastic play despite George's deft lobs and deft defensive play, earning an early win with his fast paced serve and aggressive point-ending forehand. On the far, far, far court 3.0 tournament veteran Travis took on Gabriel "I have amazing hair like Stefanos Tsitsipas" Lidderdale. Travis, perhaps jealous of Gabriel's amazing locks, uncorked uncharacteristically strong serves in the first match, and was able to emerge with the win despite his very, very, very lackluster hair.
In Round Two, veteran Akron Open 3.0 player Matt took on veteran 3.0 doubles player George, and in a close match, these two cagey veterans went back and forth, Matt's slice and dice just outdoing George's pinpoint lobs. In the middle court, Gabe "The Hair of Adonis" Lidderdale, faced off against H. Michael, and despite a valiant effort, Gabe, like many before him, fell to the exquisite ground strokes of H. Michael. On the far, far, far court once again (and trying not to get an emotional complex because he's been put on the court as far away from anyone as possible most of the tournament), Travis and Scott, both with one win a piece, faced off. Scott, a promising, hard-hitting 3.0 rookie who is currently 3-0 in USTA league play and making a strong run for 3.0 DFO Rookie of the Year (which is quite possibly a real award), came in with an impressively strong first serve and an equally impressive put-away forehand. Travis, though, countered by utilizing his well known strategy of making those around him worse than they really are (i.e., his athletes, students, children, and wives), blocked, chipped, and sliced Matt's manly efforts back at him with almost zero pace, basically countering his blistering strokes with ... well ... the responses of a small child. Scott, obviously not one to want to maim a small child, was put off by Travis' approach, and as such, Travis was able to somehow eek his way to a round two win.
In Round Three, Travis' childishly ridiculous play was about to meet its match, however, as he was about to face H. Michael, who had dismissed him but a week earlier, 8-3 in the 3.5 event. Indeed, H. Michael wasn't going to put up with the ping-pong 11 mile per hour shots that Travis provided, and instead countered with the knife-like surgeon'ish precision from both the backhand and forehand side that's helping H. Michael become locally famous in the 3.0 world (kind of like being famous in a Dick Goddard or a Big Chuck and Little John kind of way, which is still pretty famous). While Travis could argue that statistically he did better than last time since this time he only lost 2-5, which statistically is a solid .025% improvement, it's kind of hard to impress people when you need a calculator to show how you improved. H. Michael, meanwhile, was in the 3.0 drivers seat to Bracket B success with his 3-0 perfect record. On the near court, however, Scott and Matt faced off, and whoever won could still challenge for bracket supremacy, and on this day, it was the hard hitting rookie Scott who emerged victorious, as LaTuchie's USTA league 3.0 super rookie was able to defeat one of the all-time 3.0 greats with his laser-like shots and huge serves, and in doing so, he not only gave himself a chance at the Bracket, but he also took successfully matched up with one of the best 3.0 players Northeast Ohio - and possibly the world - has ever seen! On the far court, George and Gabriel "Samson" Lidderdale faced off in a classic case of contrasting styles, Gabriel's singles-focused play versus George's doubles-focused play. In a see-saw tennis battle that went back and forth and required a tie-break to resolve, George's defensive play outlasted Gabriel's offensive play, giving tournament tested George the victory!
Round Four saw one of the most momentous and historical matches of the event, as one of the greatest Akron Open 3.0 players of all-time, Matt, took on Travis on the marquee center court (also known as Court 5, which is technically in the center of courts 4, 5, and 6, so, yes, it is the marquee court!) in a face off of two 3.0 veterans with over 100 3.0 wins between them! And much like that Nicolas Cage 1997 blockbuster Face Off, the crowds were given a treat (and by "crowds" we obviously mean facility director, Dallas). Matt, storming off to a 2-0 lead, showed the skills that have made him a potential DFO Hall of 3.0 Famer (yes, we're serious, that's a thing), as his consistent serve, slicing approach shots, and intelligently aggressive net-play had Travis literally on his heels (which wasn't hard to do as Travis' heels were inside a pair of extremely ugly red, blue, and gold "special edition" Asics, leaving many to wonder what exactly was so "special" about them). But, just like John Travolta in the Academy Award nominated Face Off (sound effects editing!), Travis changed his game to match that of Matt, slicing and dicing, and added in UNintelligent blitzkrieg net-play, because, as the old saying goes, copying your opponent is the sincerest form of flattery ... and, in this case, survival. In two close, close games, Travis evened the match at 2-2 and after several great defensive plays by Matt in which Travis exhibited his trademark "Overhead into the Net" shot, Travis somehow emerged with the win. More than that, however, Travis emerged with the bucket-list-achieving item of playing one of the all-time 3.0 greats on their home courts while at the same time kind of creeping him out with his way-too personal knowledge of Matt's career records. Meanwhile, H. Michael continued his Akron Open 3.0 run, taking on George, while Scott held on to a Bracket B chance by bazooka'ing his way past Gabriel "Bueno Pelo" Lidderdale.
Thus it all came down to Round Five to see who would emerge with the Bracket B win! In the last match of the round robin, bracket leading H. Michael faced off versus bomb-hitting Scott in a tennis battle that would determine Bracket B supremacy! Facing his toughest test of the tournament, H. Michael initially struggled with the pace of Scott's shots and serves, which one reporter recorded at approximately 17,000 miles per hour. WHOA! No doubt the best match of the Bracket, the two 3.0 stalwarts traded off shot after shot that - get this - actually looked like legit tennis! Bringing out the best in one another (and most likely thanking the tennis gods they didn't have to play a "Travis-type" again), H. Michael was pushed to the limit by Scott's fantastic play, but whenever H. Michael needed a shot at a clutch moment, he was able to produce it, and thus, by the narrowest of margins, H. Michael emerged with the win in what was truly a fun to watch, back-and-forth, kinda legitimate tennis match. And while Scott may have fallen, he could take huge solace in the fact he had fallen to one of the greatest Akron Open players of all-time! OF ALL-TIME! Meanwhile, George showed amazing competitiveness in coming back from down 0-40 not once but twice against Travis, but in the end, Travis' defensive play just edged out George's defensive play. On the far court, Matt finished his tournament run with a well-earned victory over Gabriel "Please Stop Making Weird Comments About My Hair" Lidderdale, though the tournament rookie no doubt learned a tennis ton during his maiden tournament voyage that will surely come in to play in the future!
Thus, Bracket B ended as follows:
H. Michael 5-0
Travis 4-1
Scott 3-2
Matt 2-3
George 1-4
Gabriel 0-5
So it would be H. Michael versus Aaron ... for ALL THE 3.0 GLORY!
Championship Match
Bracket A's champion, perfect 5-0 Aaron, met Bracket B's champion, perfect 5-0 H. Michael, in a matchup to determine who was the most perfecter. Perfectest. Perfecterest? YES!
The early advantage would seem to go to H. Michael, as his Bracket wrapped up about 90 minutes before Aaron's bracket, but perhaps that meant that H. Michael might be cold from not playing for a long period of time? Or perhaps it would mean that Aaron would be exhausted from just coming off the courts? So many questions, with only one way to settle them, much like the legal scholars of Ancient Greece did all those centuries ago - on the tennis courts! (We teach history and we are pretty sure this is spot on accurate)
In a super tie-break to 10, the assembled crowd (singular, because most of the field had left to go home, so it was basically Dallas who got to watch five hours of 3.0 tennis) was in for a treat, as both players smooth strokes and solid backcourt play would soon be on display. And just like he did the previous week, H. Michael, in an extremely close tie-break, emerged with not just a 3.0 win, but an historic 3.0 win, becoming the first player in Akron Open history to win both the 3.0 and 3.5 event in the same year! WHOA!
Congratulations H. Michael on an incredible run, but congratulations as well to all the participants, from Aaron who enjoyed his first finalist finish to Kody, Scott, and Tom who enjoyed their first ever tournament wins; to Travis and Matt who finally faced off on the courts to Bob who made a triumphant return to the hallowed tennis grounds that is the Towpath Tennis Center; to Gabriel who enjoyed invaluable experience to David and George who played in their first ever Akron Open's; to Jeff who missed the tournament to Lia who stepped in for the tournament; and mostly to Dallas, who organized the tournament, as well as all the participants for putting up with Travis taking selfies and weirding everyone out with his way-to-intimate knowledge of their tennis statistics.
Seriously, congrats to all on a fantastic day of tennis, and good luck in the year to come!
Bonus Material (wow!)
Also, congrats to several players for extending their records on the Akron Open 3.0 Leader Board! And congrats to several players for adding to their amazing 3.0 records! Congrats to Matt for breaking the big 5-0 and earning his 51st career 3.0 victory! To Travis for earning victory #50 as well! And especially to Bob for taking his 61st career 3.0 victory! Whoa! As Matt once said, "all this means is we are really old." INDEED!
Any mention in the same breath of the dynamic duo of Big Chuck and Little John is an absolute honor. There is no higher achievement. Perhaps I should return the new package of overgrip I just bought and go back into retirement.