Croatian Sensation advances to Championship Round!

Undefeated in 2012... Sopcic tops DR in straight sets!

(story developing)

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Semifinal Preview: DR vs TB

Dean looking for revenge in a rematch of last year's semifinal!

By Steve England, ESVN - Suffering from atrial fibrillation, a coronary stint, high blood pressure, and a heart attack damaged heart -- Dean will take on the 28-year old Croatian Sensation in a semifinal quest for glory!

In last year's semifinal these two squared off against each other as well.  Dean was effective at preventing Sopcic from gaining net position, but Sopcic's perfection of his "Brown-Eye" maneuver (a retreating two-handed reverse overhead lob) neutralized Dean's lob.  Sopcic gained an additional edge by attacking Dean's 2nd-serve, but the match was still very close!  Each player won 13-games in a match which went three sets!  Sopcic edged Dean 6-3,1-6,6-4 in last year's semifinal.  Will this year be different?  Both players have improved their games considerably!  Dean has honed his skills against the top player's this year, but Sopcic remains undefeated in 2012 tournament play.  Only two matches remain in this year's tournament!  Who will earn the chance to play JT in the finals?  Don't miss this semifinal rematch - Friday, August 31, 12pm, Norwalk Tennis Complex!

Dynasty Champ reemerges as dominant force!

JT knocks Defending Champ-SV out of tournament!

Harmon Park, by Matt Sopcic, TTN - In my short 2 years of tower tennis I have never seen so much talent match up head to head as was witnessed today.  Dynasty champ JT and 2 time defending champ SV put on a show for the ages!  What is a match of this caliber without a little controversy though?  SV was quick to point this out because when he pulled up to Harmon Park, JT was being warmed up by a fellow tournament player, clearly upsetting the defending champ.  JT also claimed controversy because everyone in the surrounding 3 blocks appeared to be cheering for SV during the entire match.  Once the game started I thought SV might have had a legitimate argument with JT jumping out to a 2-0 lead.  At this point SV’s number one fan (DR) arrived and SV got the confidence boost he needed storming back to take a 3-2 lead (possibly because of all the trash talk thrown at JT from DR!!!!).   Each player took alternating turns leading in the first set before it was tied 6-6!  All of the games leading up to this point had long rally’s, often reaching 15+ shots before someone took the point.  It was very clear that neither player wanted to give an inch and SV had the momentum going into the tie breaker that allowed him to jump out to a quick 3-1 lead.  JT needed to dig deep in order to mount a comeback and that’s just what he did, storming back to win 7-3!  It was obvious that SV was a little frustrated letting the 1st set slip through his fingers but he came back strong and more focused in the second set.  JT didn’t have an answer for a lot of what SV was throwing at him and SV jumped out to a 4-2 lead.  By this point both players were very tired and it looked as though set #3 was inevitable.  Somehow JT was able to find a weakness in SV’s defense and stole the next 4 games to take the set and match.  SV’s snacks (anti muscle cramp food) that he ate between games did not do their job because it was clear that his speed slowed significantly (from cramps) in the last 3 games of the second set which hindered his abilities.  

Ask anyone in attendance today and they will say that the level of game play that each individual brought to the court was good enough to win the tournament without any doubt.  Can JT keep this momentum going into the finals?  I know SV will focus again in the off-season to make a run for a title next year and possibly a little revenge on JT.  Congrats again to both players for an excellent performance, it really is a shame that someone had to lose but that’s what makes this tournament challenging.

Follow play-by-play on twitter... By Matt Sopcic:

The Final Four!

Who will become the next champion?

• Dynasty Champion JT hopes to win an unprecedented fifth championship, and extinguish the smack-talk TB throws his way!
• Defending Champion SV hopes to equal JT's "Three-in-a-row" consecutive championships - and to do so at age 50!
• Undefeated in 2012 - TB looks unstoppable, as he hopes to win his first championship, and continue his playful banter with JT!
• Dark-horse DR hopes to surprise everyone, upsetting the balance of power with a sneak attack to win his first championship!

Only three men have ever won a TowerTennis Championship!  Two of them are still active controllers, and are in the Final-Four!  Will this year bring a new champion into the ranks?  Only three matches remain, and each one should be a battle!  Don't miss your chance to witness TowerTennis history!

Dean rounds out the Final-Four!

BY falls in the Quarterfinals 6-2,6-0!

Harmon Park, by Steve England, ESVN (fair & balanced) - This score doesn't come close to indicating the competitiveness of this match!  "BY's" game is remarkably improved over previous years!  With classic topspin ground-strokes - "BY" looks like an accomplished racket-club member!

Dean however, isn't nicknamed: "The human ball-machine" for nothing!  Virtually, every shot "BY" pounded Dean's way came right back over the net!  Even "BY's" bullet-serve was simply blocked back by Dean's eagle-eye, and steady-stroke.  Despite nearly every point being a multi-shot battle - Dean coast to victory with an impressive margin!  DR makes the final-four, and will now get his chance to play for glory!  One victory, and he's in the finals!  Two victories, and he's our new champion!

Sopcic advances to Semifinals!

TB eliminates DNR 6-0,6-4!

Harmon Park, by Steve England, ESVN (fair & balanced) - Sopcic looks unstoppable! Aided by numurous errors from Doug - Sopcic takes the fifth game without DNR scoring a single point!  On set-point, Sopcic tries to lob over, but this gives Doug a chance to slam!  Doug misfires the return, and Sopcic takes the first set in a shutout!

Doug usually comes alive in the second, and this match is no different! Winning the first game at love, Doug jumps quickly to a two-game lead!  Sopcic successfully catches up, then pulls ahead - Doug counters and ties again at 3-all!

Sopcic shows impressive physical ability with lunging second efforts to save points, and win games.  Sopcic holds a 5-4 lead, but is down 40-15! One more point, and it's all tied up again! Sopcic jumps to reach a lob - preventing a certain winner from landing, and avoiding a 5-5 tie by tagging the back of the baseline! Having dodged a bullet - Sopcic stretches for another lunging volley on match-point! Sopcic wins in straight sets: 6-0,6-4.

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Semifinal Preview: A Clash of Champions!

Defending Champ vs Dynasty Champ!

By Steve England, ESVN (fair & balanced) - From the beginning of TowerTennis, JT dominated the action!  JT easily won three in a row (2004 - 2006), and played for the title again in 2007 and 2008.  In fact, the first five years of the tournament JT was the man to beat!  He lost to Rick Bohler in 2007, but avenged himself in a rematch in 2008.   In recognition of his accomplishments - JT was awarded the title: "DYNASTY CHAMPION"! 

It's been four years since JT played for a title.  In that time others have risen to the top ranks.  To get another chance to hold the trophy high - JT must get past SV in the semifinals.  Defending Champion-SV has been in the title game the last three years in a row, and four times total.  This year he sits with two consecutive titles, and wants to equal JT's "Three-in-a-row" accomplishment which made JT the "Dynasty Champ"!  

It would be an amazing accomplishment to witness!  On SV's 50th birthday... He will take on JT for a chance to equal his "Three in a row" record!  Can the aging defending champ get past the still youthful Dynasty-Champ?  This should be an excellent match to attend!  August 21, 2:30pm, Harmon Park.

"Remember the Alamo" says ZP - As CG falls to SV

CG leaves tournament competition on a high note!

Harmon Park, by Steve England, ESVN - CG starts out on fire, acing SV to take the first game of the match!  CG then doubles his victories in the second by taking two-games off the defending champ!  CG's game was strong, but his consistency faltered along the way!  CG's experience level would have made a victory against the defending champ unlikely, but he elevated his game to show he's a future threat to all who cross his path!  CG falls to SV 6-1, 6-2.

CG leaves tournament competition after convincing victories over AJ, RB, and ZP.  CG's only loses were to last year's finalist TB, and SV.

CG gives ZP a Texas sized boot out of the tournament!

File photo from 2010.

CG advances to the quarterfinals - ZP goes home to Texas!

Harmon Park, by Steve England, ESVN - Zeke hates to lose, and he especially hates to lose to Chase!  Still unhappy about his defeat to CG in 2010, Zeke sought instruction from an aquiantance which just happened to be a high school tennis coach.  Building upon his successful come-from-behind victory to win the Southeast Championship - Zeke was motivated to exact revenge upon CG!

Mr. Chase however, had other plans!  CG's game is quite accomplished, and tends to only lose to the top players.  CG reports that Zeke frequently attacked the net (generally a successful tactic), but not against a player of CG's caliber.  CG gives ZP a Texas sized booting out of the tournament by winning a straight-set victory 6-2,6-1.

The road to victory just got a lot harder for CG! With his victory over Zeke - CG will advance to a quarterfinal encounter with defending champion SV!  Then, if successful there - he'll have to face Dynasty Champ - JT before he can reach the finals! Not an impossible task... But certainly a couple formidable hurdles to overcome. Meanwhile, ZP makes plans to return home to his beloved Texas!  Thanks for playing Zeke... good luck, and all the best as you enter the big leagues!

BY defeats TR 6-3,6-2 in 1st-round of playoffs!

"BY" advances to the quarterfinals, for a showdown with "DR"!

By Ted Brindley, TTN - Today's playoff match-up between BY and TR was billed as the crafty veteran vs the young and rising phenom.  Would BY still have enough left in the tank for a win?  Or would TR rise to the challenge and continue his ascent towards the championship?  Safe to say those questions were answered in BY's resounding 6-3, 6-2 victory.  BY played well and consistent throughout the match while Ted was never able to get in rhythm and made unforced error after unforced error.  BY was able to capitalize on these errors and ran away with the victory.  With the loss this means Ted's inaugural Tower Tennis season is over, but don't worry folks he'll be back for more next season.  With the win BY advances to play DR in what figures to be a highly competitive match!   Note: Twitter coverage not available for this match.