2009 TowerTennis Championship

BR wins 2nd Title!

2009-10-16T23:59:00.004-05:00

7-Flags Fitness Center, Clive Iowa - BR goes undefeated as he easily wins his 2nd TowerTennis Championship! The Climatic Event of the 2009 TowerTennis season almost never happened. Reservation mix-ups placed the final match in jeopardy... but with the help of the 7-Flags Tennis Director the match was held as scheduled.
After the logistics were secured: BR finds himself down 3-1 in the 1st-set when suddenly he pops a string! Normally, this would be a death sentence, but when BR borrows SV's extra racket... he can't be stopped! BR takes five unanswered games to win the first set 6-3. In the 2nd-set SV leads 2-1. SV is serving and poised to take a 3-1 lead when called for a foot-fault! SV's game then seems disrupted. Late in the 2nd SV pops a string, and recalls his borrowed racket from BR. BR is then forced to play with a backup, but is unaffected by the change in equipment. BR takes five unanswered games to win the match in straight sets 6-3,6-2. BR demonstrates that he can overcome adversity by enduring three racket adjustments during a match, showing that he is a true champion!

Special thanks to KI for his excellent photography and interviews, KB for impartial officiating, BY and DH for donating to the trophy fund!

BR's after-match interview:

2009-10-16T23:58:00.002-05:00

BR accepts Trophy

2009-10-16T23:58:00.001-05:00

SV accepts Runner-Up Trophy

2009-10-16T23:57:00.001-05:00

SV's After-match Interview:

2009-10-16T23:55:00.002-05:00

BR prematch Interview:

2009-10-16T23:40:00.001-05:00

SV's Pre-Finals Interview:

2009-10-16T18:55:00.003-05:00

Semi-Finals: SV over BY 6-3,6-3

2009-10-09T15:39:00.002-05:00

American Legion Park, West Des Moines - In true competitive fashion, "BY" prepared for today's semi-final match with SV by practicing with both Dynasty Champion JT, and prospective future champ SB. "BY's" preparation was evident during the warm up as he pounded noticeably stronger shots SV's way! Had "BY" played the match as well as he warmed up there most certainly would have been a different result.

During match play both sets were similar in that SV held a 3-2 lead in each - with the pivotal game requiring multiple add/deuce exchanges before a player prevailed. The significance of this critical period in each set shouldn't be under estimated. In each... a "BY" victory would level the set, but failure to do so would give SV a 4-2 advantage. In each set... "BY" wasn't able to capitalize on this mid-set opportunity. SV took advantage, then went on to win 6-3,6-3.

SB's thoughts on QuarterFinal loss.

2009-09-29T22:32:00.003-05:00

SV survives 1st-Set tie-breaker! Eliminates SB 7-6 (7-2), 6-1

2009-09-29T16:33:00.003-05:00

Harmon Park - In only his second year of tournament play, SB nullifies an early SV lead - even after having a game winner reversed on technicality. Later-SB goes up 30-love, and leads 6-5, but he doesn't complete the kill. SV forces a tie-breaker, then goes on to win.

In the second - SB's neck starts to stiffen, as SV starts attacking the net. SV takes the second set 6-1... Surviving a true test from the young raising star!

SV squeaks by DNR 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

2009-09-23T17:05:00.001-05:00

Harmon Park-Then there were four! By squeaking by DNR, SV joins BR, BY, and SB as the "FINAL FOUR"! One would think that at this point - it's anyone's tournament. Realistically, former champion BR is the heavy favorite. Of the remaining three; SV has more experience, but BY has determination, competitive spirit, and improved health. While SB has both youth, and natural athletic ability. The first test will be this coming week as SB takes on SV for a spot in the semi-finals against BY. The next three matches should prove to be interesting for spectators to watch. Match schedule will be posted as soon as a time is finalised between contestants.

SB advances after DH forfeit

2009-09-21T20:26:00.000-05:00

BR routs BY 6-1, 6-0

2009-09-11T13:27:00.001-05:00

Cutty's Campground - Playing BR is like swimming upstream. No matter how much you paddle, how much distance you cover, there's a feeling of inevitability going the other way. You better reach your goal soon, or eventually the current will win. That's how "BY" must have felt as BR racked up game after game in an almost shut-out of the tower's senior controller.

BR now sits atop the bracket waiting for a challenger to emerge from those previously beaten. Who will it be?

AJ exits tournament with 6-1,6-1 loss to SV

2009-09-05T17:31:00.003-05:00

Norwalk Middle School - According to published reports, the MRI on TowerTennis player SV's gluteus maximus came back negative. SV left Saturday's match with AJ limping from a strained right glute.
So far, all signs point to SV having avoided a major injury and TowerTennis followers should not expect this to be a long-term thing. However, SV may be looking at being at less than 100 percent for his upcoming match with DNR. DNR knocked SV out of the finals in 2004.

SB eliminates MM 6-4, 6-1

2009-09-04T22:13:00.006-05:00

Harmon Park - DOUBLE HEADER - MM squares up against SB as DH took on "BY" in the adjacent court. MM with well placed shots and powerful serves takes an early 4-1 lead. SB reassesses his tactics and starts to focus on returning the ball in-bounds. This adjustment shows promise as SB struggles, but levels the match at 4-all. Building on the success of this tactical adjustment, SB wins 5 unanswered games to take the first set 6-4.
The 2nd-set featured multiple rallies, but SB managed to take virtually every game. SB pulls ahead, and goes on to a 6-1 victory winning the match in straight sets.

BY defeats DH 6-4, 6-4.

2009-09-04T22:12:00.002-05:00

OC exits tournament with 6-0, 6-1 loss to SV

2009-08-31T22:31:00.004-05:00

Norwalk IA - Under the dim lights of Norwalk High - SV had great difficulty seeing OC's blistering two-handed backhand. Despite passing a recent medical exam with 20/20 vision, the combination of speed and lighting gave SV a challenge he wasn't expecting. OC aced SV on several occasions, and certainly could have used his youthful vision to his advantage, but unforced errors proved fatal. OC exits tournament competition for this year, but certainly has some weapons to build upon.

Rumble at the Junction... SB eliminates CA in straight-set rout 6-0, 6-0!

2009-08-25T12:34:00.003-05:00

BY defeats MM 6-3, 6-2

2009-08-19T16:55:00.002-05:00

Harmon Park-A rain delayed match gave way to a steamy court, as the sun reemerged to heat things up. "BY" wins the serve and jumps out to a quick 3-1 lead. With the advantage of serve- "BY" could have advanced to a cushy lead of 4-1, but double faults to let MM close to 3-2. Suddenly the momentum changes as MM levels the match 3-all. "BY" ponders the impact of his earlier gaffe... Then charges ahead with three unanswered games to take the 1st set 6-3.

In the 2nd set "BY" leaps to a 5-1 lead before MM fires up. MM then slams a bullet of a serve acing "BY" to inch closer at 5-2. On the ropes, but refusing to throw in the towel. MM fights off an unprecedented 8 match-points, before "BY" rips a forehand cross-court wide! "BY" advances to play DH... MM will play the victor of the CA/SB match.

BR wallops DNR 6-1, 6-2

2009-08-14T10:59:00.001-05:00

DNR whips AJ 6-3, 6-3

2009-08-09T18:30:00.001-05:00

MM knocks off OC 6-3, 3-6, 6-2

2009-08-01T18:32:00.001-05:00

MM shows great improvement - OC falls in three.

SB falls to DNR 6-4,3-6,6-1

2009-07-29T19:44:00.002-05:00

Statistics thru game-1 of Set-2

Match Statistics by Tennis Trakker Pro
Event:	1st Round 2009 TowerTennis Championship
Date recorded:	2009 07 29 @ 14:22
Play time:	2 hours - 7 min.
Rules:	Third set tie-break

DNR	vs.	SB
6	Set 1	4
3	Set 2	6
6	Set 3	1

General Play
101	Points played	101
50% (51/101)	Points won	(50/101) 50%
50% (50/101)	Points lost	(51/101) 50%
(2/5)	Break conversion	(2/8)
(6/8)	Break saved	(3/5)
Serves
59% (35/59)	1st serves in	(31/42) 74%
	Service winner
3	Wide	0
5	Body	2
0	T	0
	Return winner
0	Forehand	1
0	Backhand	0
60% (21/35)	1st serves won	(19/31) 61%

88% (21/24)	2nd serves in	(7/11) 64%
	Service winner
0	Wide	0
0	Body	1
0	T	0
	Return winner
0	Forehand	0
0	Backhand	0
52% (11/21)	2nd serves won	(4/7) 57%

1	Aces 1st serve	1
0	Aces 2nd serve	0
0	Foot faults	0
3	Double faults	4
Ground game - Winners
13	Forehand	6
0	Backhand	0
5	Volley	0
1	Overhead	0
0	Lob	0
0	Drop shot	1
19	Total winners	7
Ground Game - Unforced Errors
24	Forehand	14
3	Backhand	4
4	Volley	1
1	Overhead	0
3	Lob	0
0	Drop shot	0
35	Total Unforced	19

DH thrashes CA 6-0, 6-1

2009-07-24T15:34:00.001-05:00

Look to player comments for details.

BR takes SV in Three! 5-7,6-3,6-1

2009-07-14T21:41:00.001-05:00

Norwalk Iowa- Picking up their rackets for the first time this summer. Both BR and SV played rusty, but BR brought some 10W40 to the party. After falling in the first set 5-7, BR shakes off the rust to win the next two sets 6-3,6-1. A convincing rebound that when coupled with the absence of defending champ JT - makes BR the early favorite to go all the way.

Match Statistics by Tennis Trakker Pro
Event:	2009 TowerTennis
Date recorded:	2009 07 14 @ 15:31
Play time:	2 hours - 30 min.
Rules:	Third set tie-break

SV	vs.	BR
7	Set 1	5
3	Set 2	6
1	Set 3	6
	Set 4
	Set 5
General Play
182	Points played	182
45% (82/182)	Points won	(100/182) 55%
55% (100/182)	Points lost	(82/182) 45%
(5/9)	Break conversion	(8/15)
(7/15)	Break saved	(4/9)
Serves
63% (62/98)	1st serves in	(55/84) 65%
	Service winner
0	Wide	0
0	Body	0
0	T	0
	Return winner
0	Forehand	0
0	Backhand	0
52% (32/62)	1st serves won	(35/55) 64%

78% (28/36)	2nd serves in	(16/29) 55%
	Service winner
0	Wide	0
0	Body	0
0	T	0
	Return winner
0	Forehand	0
0	Backhand	0
46% (13/28)	2nd serves won	(12/16) 75%

0	Aces 1st serve	1
0	Aces 2nd serve	0
0	Foot faults	0
8	Double faults	13
Ground game - Winners
10	Forehand	22
3	Backhand	1
6	Volley	0
0	Overhead	1
4	Lob	0
8	Drop shot	3
31	Total winners	27
Ground Game - Unforced Errors
51	Forehand	27
4	Backhand	8
1	Volley	1
1	Overhead	1
0	Lob	0
7	Drop shot	1
64	Total Unforced	38