On day one of the USTA Midwest Sectional Championships, one thing was clear when it came to 3.0 tennis ... Michigan gave Ohio exactly "O" wins!
Read our pre-tournament previews ... here!
Singles
Casey d. Benjamin 3-4 (1), 4-2, 4-2
In the opening marquee 3.0 event of the 3.o singles bracket, Michigander Casey took on O-H-I-O's very own Benjamin. The tournament tested Benjamin, holder of two 2020 Vice-Champion trophies, brought an even bigger serve and bigger forehand to 2021 than he exhibited in 2020, and ran off to a quick first set lead as both players traded off holding serve. However, Benjamin, no stranger to the stress-induced tournament courts, and as the marquee headline match of the 3.0 day, handled the tie-break with aplomb, taking an early first set lead. Casey, however, didn't travel all the way from the State Up North (which is technically true, by the way, and a strange way to mock a state, but we're not originally from O-H-I-O, so what do we know) to just bow out, and instead, he rallied with what was quickly becoming known as the most powerful serve in the 3.0 singles bracket. With power and precision, Casey was able to gain easy points on his serve, thus allowing him to focus on working to break Benjamin's serve, and with increasing pressure, he did just that and gained the upper hand, taking the second and then the match clinching third set to advance against the #2 seed, Travis.
Patrick d. Brian, 4-0, 4-1
In the second 3.0 match of the day, Casey's doubles compatriot Patrick took on a man from not one but TWO states, Brian! Hailing from either Ohio or Michigan ... or BOTH ... or NONE ... Brian played well from the backcourt, trying to hit the ball deep to keep his opponent back. But Patrick's power and pace, and equally adept skill at the net, put Brian under constant pressure, and the 6'8" frame (those numbers may be incorrect) of Patrick just suffocated net, meaning that not one but two Michiganders had advanced further along the championship bracket!
Roger d. Josef 4-0, 4-1
Josef, also hailing from Michigan, looked to continue the good run of Wolverines, but Roger, an Ohioan and a local, hoped to give the Buckeye state at least a little pride. And pride he provided, as his backcourt, slice and dice game delivered another victory once again, not only helping to move him on through the bracket, but helping to finally give the hometown state a small bit to cheer for!
Doubles
Casey.& Patrick d. Aaron & Troy, 4-3 (4), 4-3 (3)
The Michiganders weren't done, though, and continued their Ohio steam rolling ways, taking on Aaron and Troy in the first 3.0 doubles match of the tournament. In a closely contested match, the power and pace of Casey and Patrick faced off versus the hands and finesse of Aaron and Troy. Both sets were agonizingly close, as Aaron and Troy used their mobility and their teamwork to force each set to tiebreak, but in the tiebreak, the sheer power of Casey and the net play of the 7'0" tall Patrick proved the difference, and as such Casey and Patrick led off their 3.0 doubles Round Robin with a solid victory.
Chad & Jansen d. Roger & Travis, 4-1, 1-4, 4-3 (2)
At the same, southern Ohioans Chad and Jansen faced off versus northern Ohioans Roger and Travis ... an Ohio tennis civil war of epic (3.0) proportions! Chad and Jansen came out en fuego in the first set, as Chad bull-rushed the net while Jansen patrolled the backcourt, and easily put Roger and Travis on their heels in taking the first set. In the second, however, the northerners rallied, and, slowing down their games and focusing on placement and precision over power, stymied their opponents in taking the second set. Thus, it all came down to the third set! In the third, the power of Chad and Jansen went back and forth against the placement of Roger and Travis, and while the latter served for the match, Chad and Jansen's years of teamwork paid off, as they were able to not only save match point, but, once in the tiebreaker, easily hold on to claim victory. And with that, southern Ohio was proud as Chan and Jansen, at 1-0, looked to join the Michigander's Casey and Patrick in winning the Round Robin. Travis, meanwhile, was left to apologize to Roger for being so lousy at doubles (but luckily for Travis, as Roger is Canadian, there was a translation problem, so Roger will never know what was actually said).
Chad & Jansen d. Aaron & Troy 4-1, 4-0
Unlike the first matches, both second matches were more one-sided than previously. Chan and Jansen, now warmed up, continued their teamwork and power game en route to defeating what had to be an emotionally exhausted Aaron and Troy who had put so much on the line in their previous match. With their powerful win, Chad and Jansen were an undefeated 2-0, meaning, if Roger and Travis could defeat Casey and Patrick, Chad and Jansen could claim Round Robin victory and their no-expenses paid trip to Surprise, Arizona!
Casey & Patrick d. Roger & Travis 4-3 (1), 4-1
Unfortunately for Chad and Jansen, Roger and Travis had two things going against them. One was the devastating power of Casey and Patrick. Another was Travis, who, while a somewhat capable singles player, plays doubles similar to a 1.0 level player. Be that as it may, Roger carried the team the first set, and Roger and Travis were able to blunt Casey and Patrick's power, even having a chance to win the set. Alas, Casey and Patrick, now on a roll, powered their way back to not only even up the set, but roll through the tiebreak. Emotionally - and perhaps mentally? - broken, Roger and Travis couldn't get anything going in the second, and despite some spirited attempts, were simply no match for the Mighty Michiganders and their powerful performance. Thus, Casey and Patrick were set to take on Chad and Jansen for ALL THE 3.0 MARBLES while Roger and Travis would take on Aaron and Troy for a little something called "pride." Or what was left of it!
Former 3.0ers
Congratulations to H. Michael for winning* his first ever NTRP match and doing so in such a dominating 3.5 performance that it was almost like the opponent didn't show up!
Congratulations as well to Jeffrey Polcar for his first round 3.5 win as he, along with H. Michael, advance further into the championship match!
Saturday's Lineup
Good luck to all the 3.0 competitors Saturday as the 3.0 doubles tournament will wrap up with a true championship match while in singles, #1 seed Doug takes on Roger, #2 seed Travis takes on Casey, and mid-bracket seeds Alfred and Brandon face off!
Find our Day Two Review ... here!
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