Championship Preview?

JT vs TB promises to be a championship level match!

By Steve England, ESVN, CNNsv, MSNsv - Although the bracket structure probably won't permit such a showdown - JT vs TB should be considered a championship level match!  Sopcic is without question playing the best tennis in the tournament so far.  His decisive victory over Defending Champion-SV in the 1st-round was a sign that this young man is on a mission!  The question is - can he continue his impressive assault on the bracket against an opponent like JT?  The Dynasty Champion has a frustrating ability to ware his opponents down.  Like Sopcic - JT gets to nearly every ball!  Unlike Sopcic - JT has a power forehand that will rip cross-court at will! Sopcic's advantage is at the net... JT likes to hang back by the baseline.  This match should come down to JT's ability to push Sopcic off the net.  Either through passing shots, or perfectly executed lobs.  The lob option is confronted with Sopcic's "Brown-Eye" maneuver (a retreating two-handed reverse overhead lob).  This leaves the passing shot as JT's only weapon to push Sopcic off the next.  Frankly, SV's passing shot is superior to JT's, and even it failed to diminish Sopcic at the net!  

The collective wisdom of the Fantasy Players predicts a 0.9 point advantage for Sopcic over JT.  Studies suggest that groups have an uncanny ability to predict on average the outcome of a future event.  This is much like Stock Options on the Futures Market.  Nothing is set in stone, but I predict a hard fought battle - culminating in a victory for TB.  These two giants play Tuesday, May 22nd.  You don't want to miss a battle of this magnitude!!!

Match Preview: BW vs CD promises to be a barnburner!

Will Broadway bring the heat? Or will CD keep his cool?

By Steve England, ESVN - Last year the main difference between Curt and Broadway was CD's ability to tolerate the hot temperatures on the court.  Each time these two arch-rivals faced each other, Curt seemed to have the more accomplished game.  Even when Broadway advanced - it was because Curt retired from heat exhaustion (despite an impressive lead).  

This year may prove to be quite different!  Broadway is beginning to blossom as a tennis player.  He recently foiled the algorithms - defeating Schewe 6-2,6-3.  In practice sessions with Defending Champion-SV, Broadway was quick, agile, demonstrated fluid strokes with excellent follow-through, and returned SV's most formidable serves!  This is a match everyone should attend.  I predict a barnburner irrespective of the outside air temperature!

Great Match-up facing imminent default!

AS/MN match overdue!

By Steve England, ESVN - I certainly realize there are more important things in life than a recreational tennis tournament.  However, when a match becomes overdue - it has a ripple effect down the bracket.  If the first round gets delayed, the 2nd-round is impacted, then the 3rd, and so forth.  The AS/MN match is now causing delays to the 2nd-round.  This tournament is for recreational purposes, and every effort is made to accommodate player schedules.  Unfortunately, history has shown us, that this results in the finals getting delayed until Christmas.  Therefore, it will be the policy of this tournament - to default any match once the delay extends half way into the next round.  A reasonable exception will exist if subsequent rounds are not impacted.  This will permit small delays for unusual situations, while preserving a reduced window to get things back on schedule in the next round.  The AS/MN match will be defaulted if the match is not completed by May 23, 2012.  In contrast, the AJ/CG match is overdue as well, but is not yet delaying any other rounds (the unusual number of byes grouped with their bracket permits this unique situation). 

It would be a shame for this match to not get completed!  In last year's battle between AS and MN - Scott leads 5-3 in the 2nd, when suddenly, MN discovers that attacking the net punches holes in Scott's defenses.  MN is able to mount a come-from-behind victory by adapting his game during battle.  

Where's MG?

By KB, TTN - Sorry to be so long with the fantasy update. I did the scores and resorted and then noticed MG was missing. He'd been our fantasy leader from the 3rd game until the 10th, a veritable Rock of Gibralter. Leading us to the promised land. Then MN topped him. And then... He has been found though. In 5th place, behind SV.

Speaking of SV, is it possible to win both the Tower Tennis Championship and the Fantasy Championship in the same year? And what would that be? Not exactly a Dynasty Champion like JT. Something else perhaps. Hmm...

Schewe refuses to live in fear! KS tops KN 6-2, 6-3!

By Steve England, ESVN - Despite possible damage to his career progression.  Schewe refuses to live in fear, and takes no prisoners in his quest to dispatch his opponent!  Although Schewe lead throughout the match, once again the score doesn't reflex how well KN played!  It was quite obvious that KN was skilled at ball placement - opening up the court, then going for the kill.  Unfortunately for KN, KS was all over the court!  Virtually every winner that KN slammed, met a wall named Schewe!  Schewe got to balls which should have been clear winners, then he returned them back into play, where the rallies went on and on.

After taking the 1st-set 6-2, Schewe has a fight on his hands in the 2nd.  Multiple deuces later... KS executes a masterful drop-shot at add-in for the win!  Players are on-serve until Schewe breaks for a 3-1 lead.  Later, KN threatened to close to 4-3, but Schewe fights off the KN surge to extend to 5-2.  KN serving to stay alive holds, forcing Schewe to serve out for the win.  KN survives two match points before succumbing to a KS forehand landing near the deuce-side service line.  KN is drawn toward the short-shot, causing him to misfire on match-point.  KS advances 6-2,6-3.

Fantasy Champion Trophy

For those of you who enjoy playing Fantasy TowerTennis.  The 2012 Fantasy TowerTennis Champion's trophy has been delivered!  Pictured is the actual trophy you will receive if you finish the season with the most Fantasy points.  

Introducing - The Regional Champions Trophy

Winning the TowerTennis Championship is no small feat!  Nor, is winning your satellite-bracket to make the playoffs!  To recognize the accomplishments of all who participate is our annual tournament, a new trophy has been commissioned.  The Regional Champion's Trophy will have the names of every regional champion, the tournament runner-up, and the tournament champion displayed prominently for the year.  Designed to be reused annually - the names of the champions are inserted into small brackets mounted to the plaque.  When a new tournament concludes - simply remove the old names, and insert the names of the new champs.  

I hope this will inspire those who find themselves with a loss or two. Win your regional bracket, make the playoffs, and have your name displayed in honor for a year!