The USTA Midwest Sectional Championships concluded and boy howdy did one thing become clear - when it comes to 3.0 tennis, you can't spell "winning" without "Michigan"! Casey and Patrick, the Wolverine state's very own, not only took home the 3.0 doubles event but also took home finals appearances in the singles event! Not only did they earn the respect of the assembled 3.0 crowd, but they also earned a coveted all-expenses (not) paid trip to Nationals in Surprise, Arizona! Congratulations Casey and Patrick on an amazing tournament run!
So how did it all go down? Find out ... here!
And check out our pre-tournament previews here, our day one review here, and our day two review here!
Championship Singles
Casey d. Patrick, 4-2, 4-2
Cain versus Abel. Romulus and Remus. Casey and Patrick. What do these three famous names have in common? All were amazing 3.0 tennis players who were forced to choose between family and 3.0 tennis glory! OH THE AGONY!
Although, considering the top two finishers both qualified to Nationals, perhaps it wasn't as agonizing as it could have been for these two titans of the 3.0 courts, for both had already qualified in singles (and in doubles) to the big event in Arizona. So all that was on the line was ... PRIDE! And both players played with said pride, putting it all on the line despite the forgone conclusion that both were heading to the Sunbelt in but a few short weeks. And speaking of short, the points were short as well, as these two powerful players belted out winner after winner, both pummeling the poor yellow fuzzy ball with serves the likes of which are rarely seen. In the end, the power of Casey was enough to overtake the strong net play of Patrick, and while he hoisted the trophy cup/dish/bowl at the end of the event, everyone could agree that in reality, BOTH Michiganders were winners. Congratulations to the 3.0 singles champion Casey and the vice-champion Patrick on a fantastic tournament run!
Consolation Singles
Brian d. Benjamin, 4-3 (3), 4-2
Speaking of pride, the consolation matches were still going on, and with them, the back-up qualifying spot to Nationals if either Casey or Patrick could not attend. Thus, the three remaining players in the consolation bracket put it all on the line (except for Travis, who pouted and left the day before)! Leading off, and for a chance at a consolation finals appearance, were multi-state living Brian versus hometown hero Benjamin. Brian, came out strong, no doubt taking advantage of the fact that Benjamin was physically and emotionally exhausted after his back and forth three setter versus Doug the day before. Benjamin, though, is an experienced warrior of the 3.0 courts, and he put in a gladiator-like effort, narrowly falling in the first set before Brian stormed to a late lead in the second. And with that, Brian moved on to the consolation finals. Benjamin, though, had nothing to be ashamed of, and showed that he was more than ready for the rough and tumble 3.0 league season coming up around the corner!
Brian d. Alfred, 4-0, 4-1
Thus, the consolation finals were set! Brian, 1-1 in the event, versus Alfred, who enjoyed a Walk Over versus Travis and who was from Wisconsin and had a plane to catch. Brian, perhaps enjoying the home courts and the fact he was warmed up after his match versus Benjamin, came out strong, relinquishing nary a point, while Alfred, no doubt cold and worried about his flight, struggled initially to get in the match. However, Alfred pushed on, and once the second set arrived, brought his game, pushing Brian throughout. In the end, however, Brian was able to hold on and outlast the Badger state native (are there actually badgers in Wisconsin? And wolverines in Michigan? And how did Ohio choose a ... nut? Hmmm...) and earn the highly coveted Consolation Championship! Congratulations Brian on your consolation run and good luck to Alfred on his trip back to Wisconsin!
Former 3.0ers
In the 3.5 championship event, two former 3.0ers went at it, Sanjay versus H. Michael. Not only did both players defy the odds by defeating higher ranked and higher seeded players, but both defied the odds by making it to the finals! In the finals, the court coverage and amazing hands of Sanjay took on the counter punching style of H. Michael, and on this day, H. Michael won the day with an impressive 4-1, 4-2 victory, proudly hoisting the victory cereal bowl trophy for all to see! But the real winners were the small 3.0 children who, after witnessing this match, could no doubt dream the dream that one day, some day, they too could advance from 3.0 to the near professional 3.5 level and represent the 3.0 dojo as well as these two graduates of the 3.0 tennis world! Congratulations to both H. Michael and Sanjay, and good luck in Arizona!
Review
And with that, the NTRP Championship weekend was complete! And what a weekend it turned out to be! With over 200 participants overall and nearly 20 3.0ers from around the Midwest, this was one of the biggest and most intense levels of 3.0 competition the local area had seen in many a moon! And while Michigan won the day in both singles and doubles with their raw power, local Ohio 3.0ers showed their moxie and now know what they need to do to compete at the highest levels of 3.0 known to human kind (i.e., get better)!
Thanks to local event organizers for staging the event, especially local coordinator Derek (a former DFO 3.0 Player of the Year, by the way), to NEOhio Tennis for all the fantastic action photos, and good luck to all the 3.0ers who qualified to represent the Midwest in early April on the biggest 3.0 stage ever - Nationals!
Team Michigan would have been very competitive at, if not won, the 3.5 doubles. Not 3.5 singles, though. I would have had to put a stop to that! :-)
Overall it was a great event, and it was fun seeing familiar faces (with the requisites masks and/or social distancing, of course). It felt more "normal" than what we've been accustomed to for some time now.
Congrats to all participants. And a special congrats to Travis who once again took home the non-existent-but-it-should-be title of "Most Wardrobe Changes". It's hard to focus on his explosive tennis game when admiring his ever-changing stylish threads.