Sorta. 'Cause only two matches actually took place...
Like the old tennis adage goes, "If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, did any tennis matches actually take place?" Well, as this was the bye week for the 18+ and 40+ league (and even the +55 warriors!) because of the holidays or perhaps because everyone was resting up for the 2021 Akron Open (or at least four people, which is something), so as a result, no matches were taking place ... except two! So in this super brief update, we give some attention to those two matches, because, unlike the tree, you can be sure there were some sounds coming from the courts of Force and Mentor this week (usually groans of disappointment, but still)!
18+ Records & Recaps
Flight 1 Standings
W.Reserve 6-1
CSC 5-2
Mayfield 4-3
CVAC 3-4
Green 3-4
Fairlawn 0-7
Nothing to see here... enjoy the rest, fellas!
Flight 2 Standings
LaTuchie 8-0
P. Medina 5-3
Mentor 3-5
NCRC 3-5
Wembley 3-4
CRC 1-6
Paramount Medina @ Mentor - 3-2
Looking to stay in the playoff hunt, both Mentor and Paramount faced off with their season's playoff hopes essentially on the 3.0 line. Both clubs came out strong, as Paramount's 17' tall power serving Patrick continued his fine season with his first singles win on the year for his 18+ club while Mentor's John evened the tally with what turned out to also be his first singles win on the year for his club. SERENDIPITY?! Maybe?! In #1 doubles, Jonathan and Paul were able to earn the victory after a hard fought set, a set so hard fought that unfortunately Mike and Mark had to retire - get better soon, gentlemen! Inspired by his teammate's heart, Mentor's Captain Scott teamed with David to take down the legendary pairing of Denny and Roderick, two players with over 17,000 3.0 matches between them (our D.F.O. Math's Department is working on that number, but we stand by it). Thus, #3 doubles would determine the fate of both club's season! And wouldn't you know it, it would come down to a three set SUPER TIE-BREAK match in which the visiting duo of Dustin and David would come from behind to win it all, all the more impressive as it was David's first career 3.0 win! A win, mind you, that helped keep his beloved new Paramount club in the playoff running!
Flight 3 Standings
Force 5-1
Towpath 5-1
Bay 3-2
P. Westlake 1-6
Springside 1-5
Force v. Paramount Westlake - 3-2
Host Force needed the team win to bounce back from their 0-5 beat down at Towpath the week prior in order to not only stay in the running for the Flight title but to also get back some much needed 3.0 self-esteem while tough-luck Paramount Westlake, who had lost four of their five losses by the gut-wrenching score of 2-3, were looking to turn things around on a hot and steamy and barely air-conditioned night in the finest indoor tennis facility all of Rocky River has to offer. The two clubs traded off singles wins by identical scores, as Paramount's powerful rookie Ryan enjoyed a straight-sets victory over doubles veteran Adnan with a combination of power, power, and more power (which isn't really a combination, but there was a lot of it!). Meanwhile Force's slice and dice/pusher specialist Travis and Paramount's always solid and steady Captain Ryan faced off four the fourth time in their careers and the second time this season in a match up that both pondered if they could just save everyone a lot of time by just flipping a coin and calling it a day. Sadly, USTA rules don't allow that, but thanks to Captain Ryan drilling for almost two hours earlier on this hot and steamy day and the fact the a/c was barely working at Force, Travis was able to wear down his opponent (meaning that all it takes for Travis to win a match is his opponent working out for two hours prior to their match and being physically exhausted and the a/c not really working well ... just like the pro's need!). In doubles, Force's John and James continued their torrid run, winning their sixth match in seven tries, but Paramount's Derek and John enjoyed a come from behind three set SUPER TIE-BREAK win in dramatic 10-8 the-ball-bounced-twice-on-the-net-before-falling-over-for-match-point victory! Thus, tied up at 2-2, and with Force's season on the line, Force Captain Jeremy called upon two ... rookies!? But Harry and Mark aren't just any rookies, they're UNDEFEATED when together rookies, and the rookies maintained their undefeated when together status, not only winning their match, but helping Force win the team match! And by doing so, Force, via tiebreakers so difficult to comprehend that hardly anyone does, once again stood atop the Flight as the numero uno team in Flight 3!
P. Westlake 7-0
LaTuchie 6-1
Force 5-2
P. Medina 4-3
Towpath 3-3
Wembley 3-3
NCRC 1-6
CVAC 1-7
Bay 1-6
Nothing to see here, either!
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