Introductions
Hot dog (as 3.0 tennis fan Joey Chestnut would clearly say), the longest running 3.0 event on the 3.0 tour is finally here! The longest running (year 17?!), the most historic (partly because it's the longest running), the most attended (well, except this year), and the most anticipated (yes, you know you love it!), 3.0 event of the year, the Akron Open, will be staged over multiple one-day showdowns in which the best of the 3.0 best will duke it out with nothing but headbands, wristbands, and maybe even tennis racquets at their side to decide their 3.0 championship fates!
So, will H. Michael Wiant repeat his 2020 title? NO! he's TOO GOOD NOW and has been promoted to 3.5, meaning there will be a brand spanking NEW Akron Open champion in 2021! (take THAT H. Michael!) Who will join THIS illustrious list of 3.0 champions?!
Will any of the previous Akron Open records be broken? POSSIBLY! Because who knows who will attend?! Bob? Matt? Travis? WHO KNOWS?!
Actually, we do know, since the entries have been posted. So let's get the previews going!
Format & Bracket
With a record number four entries (a record low, but still, it's a record!), the 2021 rendition of the Akron Open will have every player play 3 rounds each. Each round will be one set and a tie-breaker at 6 games all.
WOW!
Player Previews
Singles
(Players previewed by date they signed up, because, as they say, "AVAILability is sometimes the BEST ability" ... or at least we say that)
Travis Haselswerdt
Record: 84-41 overall, 70-34 in singles ...
TennisRecord.Com Rating: 2.97 ...
Singles Tournament Experience/Highlights: Five singles titles ('18 Akron Open, '19-20 Wooster Aspen Championship, '20 Paramount Winter Championship, '20 Green Open), two Vice-Championships (which is a fancy way to say "runner-up" ... '17 Paramount Fall Championship and '19 Akron Open), two Consolation Titles ('18-19 Paramount Winter Championships) ...
Pros/Cons (because they're really the same): Mobility and general overall consistency ... "pusher" mindset/ability/lack of ability ... solid backhand and net play ... such pedestrian ground strokes that he plays serve and volley more than most ... incredibly slow pace on most shots, especially his serve, often lulls opponents to sleep ... carries one of the largest tennis racquets on tour*, obviously compensating for deficiencies elsewhere ... loud and obnoxious outfits temporarily (and sometimes permanently) blind opponents... awkward post-match requests for selfies with opponents often puts opponents on their emotional heels... has threatened to wear John Mcenroe era short-shorts for the event.
Benjamin Young
Record ... 23-29 overall, 11-21 in singles ...
TennisRecord.Com Rating: 3.01 ...
Singles Tournament Experience/Highlights: Eight total 3.0 entries, including 2020 Green Open and Wooster Aspen Vice-Championship finishes ...
Pros: Enjoys vast 3.5 experience as first 20 matches of his career were at the much higher and nigh-professional 3.5 level ... in 2019, however, he played strictly 3.0, going an impressive 17-16 overall in all 3.0 level matches ... overall consistency, combined with added power to all strokes, powerfully and consistently puts consistently powerful pressure on opponents ... ... generally aggressive player who goes for winners, he feeds off the pace of his opponents ... a renowned doubles player who has enjoyed league, playoff, and tournament success, he is also a Captain of his league team, showing he has the on and off court skills necessary to problem-solve any on court conundrum ...
Cons: Has teamed with, and competed against, fellow tournament participant Travis so many times that the sheer fact he knows Travis has no doubt harmed Benjamin's tennis.
Erik Wasowski
Record: 3-2 overall, 1-1 in singles ...
TennisRecord.Com Rating: 2.65
Singles Tournament Experience/Highlights: None
Pros: As the newest and most unknown player in the entire tournament, Erik immediately enjoys most favored status! ... while new to USTA events, has experience playing in tournament play as he has excelled at the Times-Gazette events in Ashland, so he may not be intimidated by the most famous 3.0 courts in all the land, the host Towpath Tennis Center courts!
Cons: Will he be intimidated by the most famous 3.0 courts in all the land, the host Towpath Tennis Center courts? ... will he be intimidated by the sharply attired dress code of Ben "Federer" Young and Travis "Short Shorts" Haselswerdt?!
Renier Soto
Record: 5-8 overall, 1-4 in singles ...
TennisRecord.Com Rating: 2.34
Singles Tournament Experience/Highlights: 2 entries, including '19 Akron Open Quarterfinalist finish ...
Pros: A doubles specialist, he has the all-court game needed to keep his opponents under pressure ... as he plays for Towpath, the Akron Open home courts are also his home courts, meaning he enjoys the home court advantage! ... a last-minute entry, he enjoys the mental advantage of keeping the opposition guessing!
Cons: A doubles specialist, will he remember to cover the other side of the court as he is solo rather than with a partner? ... and more importantly, as a last-minute entry, will he remember to attend?!
Predictions
The D.F.O. Math's Expert, Jeff, weighs in to give his expert* math opinions:
"Hmmm... career head-to-head record goes Travis over Benji, although Benji has a victory over the Wooster Open FMC Champion and Renier. Erik is definitely the wildcard here. But his age and experience certainly makes him ... unknown. Will he prove himself on the 3.0 level? And can they figure out the mystique that is Travis?!"
[Editor's Note: The last time Jeff weighed in on a 3.0 event, he correctly predicted a near perfect none of the results, and in fact, the player he predicted to finish last finished first, so take our Math's Expert's expertise* at what it's worth and an early congratulations to Erik!]
Preview Formula Rationale (because we know you care):
The following previews count both U.S.T.A. tournament AND U.S.T.A. league play records and unless otherwise noted focus on the highest level of entry level play one can participate in - that's right, the 3.0 level! - and dismisses other levels, usually rudely, unless otherwise noted ... because we are just THAT dedicated to providing super in-depth analysis ... and it's snowing outside and we are stuck inside. Thanks, Ohio. Also, we include ratings from TennisRecord.Com which provides even more in-depth analysis for those of us that like going down the tennis stats rabbit hole.
Well, it looks like Travis took advantage of my absence from 3.0 to narrowly pull out the victory and hoist yet another illustrious trophy. Wish I could have been there to see the jubilation in person, as Travis pirouetted around the other contenders. Did Travis treat himself to a new tennis outfit in the Towpath gift shop? Will this finally be the year that Travis is bumped out of 3.0? Will the walls of DFO come crumbling down if that happens? So many questions, yet so few people who will actually care to try to answer them.