8th Scott Cup | 2nd World Team Tennis Championships

[Delaclava]

SCOTT CUP

Since these are the first Scott Cup matches that have been played since Darren Giles' death, a moment of silence was held before all matches in his memory.

GROUP A

Sarzonia B 0-3 Delaclava
Will Goggin (DEL) def. Adrian Treadway 6-4, 2-6, 7-5, 6-7 (8-10), 13-11
Claire Bell (DEL) def. Dee Landers 0-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-5
Goggin/Bell (DEL) def. Treadway/Landers 6-4, 6-3

Kingdom of Costa Luna 1-2 Darmen
Vito Najera (KCL) def. Scott Perry 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 5-7, 6-3
Liese Knochenmus (DAR) def. Isabell Espino 6-4, 6-2
Perry/Knochenmus (DAR) def. Najera/Espino 7-5, 5-7, 6-4

Lithatrius 0-3 Shadowbourne
KL Lobzhanidze (SHB) def. Marvin J. Potter 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (9-7)
Koressa Stefanov (SHB) def. Carolyn B. Humphrey 7-6 (7-0), 6-1
Lobzhanidze/Stefanov (SUB) def. Potter/Humphrey 7-5, 6-3

GROUP B

Sarzonia 3-0 The Inevitable Syndicate
David Polley (SRZ) def. Antonio Cronin 6-4, 6-1, 6-0
Joann Grimsley (SRZ) def. Michelle Newton 6-1, 6-0
Polley/Grimsley (SRZ) def. Cronin/Newton 6-3, 6-4

The Royal Kingdom of Quebec 3-0 Swibia
Felix Jeon (RKQ) def. Camron Wetmore 7-5, 6-1, 6-3
Carolyn Bourassa (RKQ) def. Melina Twigg 6-1, 6-4
Jeon/Bourassa (RKQ) def. Wetmore/Twigg 1-6, 6-4, 7-5

Thatius 3-0 Levivania
Rob Djokic (THT) def. Levi Goldman 7-6 (8-6), 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
Caroline Kygios (THT) def. Olivia Jackson 6-0, 7-5
Djokic/Kygios (THT) def. Goldman/Jackson 6-4, 6-1

GROUP C

Schmiegelland 1-2 Saugeais
Stefan Baptiste (SAU) def. Eklemi Imelke 6-4, 7-5, 6-0
Jeanne Ribery (SAU) def. Aadfi Ifdaa 6-0, 6-4
Imelke/Ifdaa (SCH) def. Baptiste/Ribery 0-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4

Kriegiersien 2-1 Tyrrin
Andrew Graf (KRG) def. Rikke Leondarson 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2)
Regina von Kann (TYR) def. Hermine Murphy 1-6, 6-4, 7-5
Graf/Murphy (KRG) def. Leondarson/von Kann 6-4, 6-4

Super-Llamaland 3-0 The Andromeda Islands
Chris Robenson (SLL) def. John Galt 5-7, 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3)
Milica Makokic (SLL) def. Violet Green 6-3, 0-6, 6-1
Robenson/Makokic (SLL) def. Galt/Green 7-5, 6-2

---

WORLD TEAM TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

Consolation Round 3
Match 24: #7 The Inevitable Syndicate 1-2 Kriegiersien
Thomas Scharch (KRG) def. Andrew Adams 6-4, 6-2, 7-5
Scott Achintee (KRG) def. Callum Wilkinson 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, 1-6, 9-7
Nathan Bishop/Daniel Bishop (TIS) def. Herbert Hammer/Sergej Service 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4

Match 25: #4 Tyrrin 2-1 Kingdom of Costa Luna
Regina von Kann (TYR) def. Marcela Bozeman 7-5, 6-1, 6-2
Josiah Chadwick (KCL) def. Rikke Leondarson 6-4, 6-7 (2-7), 6-0, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3
von Kann/Lucetta Fatin (TYR) def. Rosalinda Fiore/Carter Mason 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-0

[Delaclava]

I spoke earlier of an off day in the schedule. That will be tomorrow. Play will resume THURSDAY evening with the 2nd half of the Tyrrin-Kingdom of Costa Luna and Kriegiersien-The Inevitable Syndicate WTTC ties.

[Sarzonia]

One criticism of David Polley's game is that he had so much talent for tennis, but he was less interested in the game that put him on the map than he was in other pursuits.

As for the tennis part itself, the proof was in the advice late Delaclav tennis legend Darren Giles gave Polley. Be more aggressive to start the match. He sometimes needed to be behind the eight ball before he turned on the motivation and prevailed.

Polley had no such lack of inspiration this time. He played arguably the most aggressively to start a match that he'd ever played anyone not named Darren Giles or Rocco Davis, booming an opening serve ace at 215 kilometres per hour, setting a career record for a serve. As The Inevitable Syndicate's Antonio Cronin looked into Polley's eyes, he saw a look unlike any Polley ever showed unless it was a marathon fifth set of a Scott Cup final.

Fierce determination. Laser like focus that would make Joann Grimsley proud. And scared. Anger.

He sure picked a bad day to face David, Grimsley thought. She marveled at the intensity Polley brought to the court. She knew when she saw point to a portrait of a younger Giles in the men's locker room. She didn't hear the words Polley said. Had she, she would have heard Polley simply say, "this is for you, Darren."

The burst of adrenalin lasted through Cronin's first service game and it led to a break point at love. The two players would trade wins from there with Polley's intensity turning into a break of his own service game to cut the first set lead to 2-1. It led to Polley walking toward his chair between sets with a 6-4 opening set victory.

When Polley began the second set, he saw something he didn't recognize, though only for a split second. Had he believed in spirits or premonitions or the supernatural, he'd have sworn it was Darren himself appearing to him. "I'm with you, man," he heard in what sounded like Darren's voice.

It can't be, Polley thought. He grabbed his racket and walked over to his spot on the wooden court to await Cronin's serve. However, whatever motivation might have slipped away during the first set was back in the second, along with the intense focus. He would only drop one game during the set, with himself up 5-0 in the set and looking to win the set at love. That would be the last time he would lose a point in this match. The third set was a clinic. Polley played at a level few ever saw anyone play. Even the man some called the greatest player of all time didn't have a set as dominant as Polley's third set over Cronin. He would dominate the match and would get a chance to sit down and relax without having expended too much energy.

Grimsley made extremely short work of Michelle Newton, winning 6-1, 6-0 before teaming up with Polley to win 6-3 and 6-4 in the mixed doubles. Following the final return of Polley's serve wide that punctuated the doubles win, Polley dropped his racket to the wooden floor and pointed his right index finger at the DKG on his uniform shirt. Grimsley saw him and pointed at hers.

It was a reminder to everyone why the Sarzonian A team was so intense. The DKG symbolized their fallen hero, their comrade, their friend. Darren Kelly Giles lived on in the motivation of the Stars players.

About two hours after the Sarzonian players returned to their hotel rooms, they were studying their suits and dresses for the state funeral. Polley was still staring at his laptop trying to come up with words when he heard a knock on the door.

He went to answer it and saw Rocco standing there. The two men hugged, then Rocco walked in.

"How's your speech coming?"

"It's not," Polley admitted, his voice trailing off. "Writer's block is a bitch."

"No more so than your mixed doubles partner, eh?" Rocco said with a smirk.

"Hey, now!" Polley said with a slight smile and his right palm extended outward in a "stop!" motion. "She's not that bad."

"Yet," Rocco said with a wide smile. "Let's see what you've got."

[Kingdom of Costa Luna]

With the day off, Costa Lunian players had time to strategize a way to come up win two wins against Tyrrin. After Bozeman lost in straight sets, Josiah Chadwick continued his winning streak and won a seesaw battle against Rikke Leondarson in five sets. Chadwick lost two sets to Leondarson in tie-breaker fashion. Frankly, Chadwick looked like the better player throughout the whole match and many were surprised at Leondarson forcing a tie-breaker at all. Chadwick commented after the match, "I was just trying to conserve my energy in case I am needed in a rubber match." The doubles team of Fioré and Mason lost creating a must win scenario in both rubber matches for Costa Luna to advance. The poor doubles performance is being contributed to Mason's long matches in the days before. Therefore, Fioré and Chadwick will compete in the rubber matches in front of Queen Sophia Fioré of Costa Luna, who has come to Delaclava to support her daughter and countrymen.

[Sarzonia]

Most of the time, a day off at the Scott Cup would give David Polley a chance to do some studying, whether it accompanied a university course or not. It would give him a chance to watch video of his next opponent. It would give Joann Grimsley a chance to hit a few more tennis balls and practice to improve her game. It would give Adrian Treadway a chance to hit the waves and Dee Landers a chance to hit the stores.

This was not a typical day off.

The Sarzonians would attend a state funeral for Darren Kelly Giles, a man who was at once their rival, their comrade, their friend. For Polley, his older brother. It was all well and good that Treadway was the one driving him, Cara Vanin, Grimsley and Polley to the funeral. Between going over his speech and fighting to keep teardrops from staining the paper his words were typed on, it was a very torturous ride for Polley.

Even though the stretched out version of the Estrella Catherina sedan was large enough to accommodate all the Sarzonians in it, it felt as though walls were closing in for Polley. He knew he'd have to address the hundreds of people in the audience at the funeral, plus the millions of Cyaneans watching on television. SNN would be there with full coverage of the funeral. Even people who could only afford local over-the-air programming in Sarzonia were able to watch on a specially designated channel that otherwise would have broadcast only static.

The car pulled into the front of the building. A waiting valet nodded in as friendly a fashion as he could appropriately do on such a sad occasion. Polley reached in to search for a 20 Karsika note, but Treadway handed him a 100 Karsika note.

"Keep the rest," Treadway said.

"Thank you, sir!" the suddenly wide eyed valet said as he quickly sat in the driver's seat to park the car. The Sarzonians would get a premium parking space for that.

The two men and two women began to walk toward their seats to await the start of the funeral. They arrived with about 20 minutes to spare, but they each knew the 20 minutes would feel like a score of years.

[Delaclava]

A very late RP cutoff! Sorry!

[Delaclava]

WORLD TEAM TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

Consolation Round 3
Match 24: #7 The Inevitable Syndicate 3-2 Kriegiersien
Thomas Scharch (KRG) def. Andrew Adams 6-4, 6-2, 7-5
Scott Achintee (KRG) def. Callum Wilkinson 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, 1-6, 9-7
Nathan Bishop/Daniel Bishop (TIS) def. Herbert Hammer/Sergej Service 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4
Wilkinson (TIS) def. Scharch 6-4, 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (7-5)
Adams (TIS) def. Achintee 6-1, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-4)

Match 25: #4 Tyrrin 2-3 Kingdom of Costa Luna
Regina von Kann (TYR) def. Marcela Bozeman 7-5, 6-1, 6-2
Josiah Chadwick (KCL) def. Rikke Leondarson 6-4, 6-7 (2-7), 6-0, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3
von Kann/Lucetta Fatin (TYR) def. Rosalinda Fiore/Carter Mason 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-0
Fiore (KCL) def. Leondarson 6-2, 6-4, 5-7, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3
Chadwick (KCL) def. von Kann 6-3, 6-1, 6-0

Consolation Round 4
Match 26: #7 The Inevitable Syndicate vs. Super-Llamaland
Match 27: Kingdom of Costa Luna vs. #5 Thatius

[Kingdom of Costa Luna]

It was a tough two days for Rikke Leondarson of Tyrrin. On the first day, Josiah Chadwick beat Leondarson despite loosing two tie-breakers. On the second day, Leondarson lost to Princesa Rosalinda Fioré in five sets, despite winning the only tie-breaker of the match. Fioré played great. Her serves were strong and accurate, while her return shots were very difficult to return. In the must win match, Fioré, in front of her mother, the Queen of Costa Luna, stayed in control and dominated most of the match. In her post-match interview with Selena Gonzalez, Fioré was not concerned about having gone five sets to win. In fact, Fioré admits to backing off in the third and fourth sets, but feels ready to play tomorrow in the doubles match with Carter Mason. Mason, who was given the day off, was replaced by Josiah Chadwick, who came into the match on a four match win streak. In the win-or-go-home match, Chadwick started strong and got stronger against Regina von Kann. von Kann was playing in her third match of the Costa Luna/Tyrrin series and the fatigue finally showed. Chadwick's overpowering serve allowed him to win each of the games he served in, while his accurate and strong return shots only allowed von Kann to win four games that she served in.

Costa Luna will now take on the fifth ranked team, Thatius. Marcela Bozeman has struggled in the WTTC, having lost three times in the tournament and currently has a two match losing streak. Bozeman will face Christian Janowicz in hopes of a turn around. Josiah Chadwick has thrived in the WTTC, having a record of 5-1, losing only the WTTC opener in five sets against Cara Vanin. Chadwick's five match winning streak has been free of fan controversy. Chadwick will look to extend the win streak to six against Laura Reynolds, who lost earlier in the tournament to Rikke Leondarson. Chadwick dominated in his match over Leondarson and hopes to repeat the performance over Reynolds. The doubles team of Fioré and Mason will face David Fynsterberg and Philipp Marrero. Fioré and Mason should be fairly well rested despite Fioré's five match win against Leondarson. Expect the doubles match to be a close, action-packed match that may very well give the winning team a one match advantage going into day two.

In the Scott Cup, Vito Najera and Isabell Espiño will wrap up group play tomorrow against Lithatrius. Marvin J. Potter and Carolyn B. Humphrey of Lithatrius will face off against Najera and Espiño, respectively. Costa Luna needs a win to even have a chance of advancing to the next round after a disappointing and very sloppy set of matches against Darmen. Attending tomorrow's matches will be Queen Sophia Fioré, who hopes her presence will aid Najera and Espiño to victory.

[Delaclava]

RP cutoff for Day 5 of the Scott Cup, a few WTTC elimination matches, and the match to determine one finalist!

[Delaclava]

SCOTT CUP

GROUP A

Sarzonia B 3-0 Shadowbourne
Adrian Treadway (SRZ) def. KL Lobzhanidze 6-4, 6-1, 6-3
Dee Landers (SRZ) def. Koressa Stefanov 5-7, 6-2, 6-2
Treadway/Landers (SRZ) def. Lobzhanidze/Stefanov 6-4, 0-6, 7-5

Kingdom of Costa Luna 2-1 Lithatrius
Vito Najera (KCL) def. Marvin J. Potter 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)
Isabell Espino (KCL) def. Carolyn B. Humphrey 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-0
Potter/Humphrey (LTH) def. Najera/Espino 7-5, 6-4

Darmen 0-3 Delaclava
Will Goggin (DEL) def. Scott Perry 6-3, 6-0, 6-4
Claire Bell (DEL) def. Liese Knochenmus 5-7, 6-4, 6-4
Goggin/Bell (DEL) def. Perry/Knochenmus 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-2)

GROUP B

Sarzonia 3-0 Levivania
David Polley (SRZ) def. Levi Goldman 0-6, 6-4, 6-0, 6-0
Joann Grimsley (SRZ) def. Olivia Jackson 6-3, 7-5
Polley/Grimsley (SRZ) def. Goldman/Jackson 7-5, 7-6 (7-0)

The Royal Kingdom of Quebec 1-2 Thatius
Felix Jeon (RKQ) def. Rob Djokic 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, 4-6, 7-5
Caroline Kygios (THT) def. Carolyn Bourassa 6-1, 0-6, 7-5
Djokic/Kygios (THT) def. Jeon/Bourassa 6-4, 2-6, 7-5

Swibia 0-3 The Inevitable Syndicate
Antonio Cronin (TIS) def. Camron Wetmore 3-6, 7-5, 6-0, 6-3
Michelle Newton (TIS) def. Melina Twigg 7-6 (7-4), 6-4
Cronin/Newton (TIS) def. Wetmore/Twigg 4-6, 7-5, 6-4

GROUP C

Schmiegelland 3-0 The Andromeda Islands
Eklemi Imelke (SCH) def. John Galt 7-5, 3-6, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5
Aadfi Ifdaa (SCH) def. Violet Green 6-4, 2-6, 6-2
Imelke/Ifdaa (SCH) def. Galt/Green 5-7, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4

Kriegiersien 1-2 Super-Llamaland
Chris Robenson (SLL) def. Andrew Graf 1-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-0, 6-4
Milica Makokic (SLL) def. Hermine Murphy 2-6, 6-3, 7-5
Graf/Murphy (KRG) def. Robenson/Makokic 0-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-1

Tyrrin 1-2 Saugeais
Stefan Baptiste (SAU) def. Rikke Leondarson 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)
Regina von Kann (TYR) def. Jeanne Ribery 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-4
Baptiste/Ribery (SAU) def. Leondarson/von Kann 6-3, 6-4

Standings and matchups will be coming soon.

---

WORLD TEAM TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Winners Round 4

Match 15: #1 Delaclava 3-0 #2 Sarzonia
Rocco Davis (DEL) def. Clay Bonner 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 7-5
Will Goggin (DEL) def. Cara Vanin 6-7 (3-7), 5-7, 7-6 (11-9), 6-3, 6-1
Usan Djabe Arefi/Daiko Uchimura (DEL) def. Matt Branson/Alyssa Tyler 7-5, 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 10-8

Consolation Round 4

Match 26: #7 The Inevitable Syndicate 3-0 Super-Llamaland
Andrew Adams (TIS) def. Eric Francis 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
Callum Wilkinson (TIS) def. Jennifer Stone 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)
Nathan Bishop/Daniel Bishop (TIS) def. Jeff Martell/Erin McKenzie 7-5, 6-0, 6-2

Match 27: Kingdom of Costa Luna 1-2 #5 Thatius
Christian Janowicz (THT) def. Marcela Bozeman 6-2, 6-2, 7-5
Josiah Chadwick (KCL) def. Laura Reynolds 6-0, 7-6 (8-6), 7-5
David Fynsterberg/Philipp Marrero (THT) def. Rosalinda Fiore/Carter Mason 7-5, 6-4, 5-7, 6-7 (8-10), 6-2

[Delaclava]

Here are the final standings for each group. Each team is listed with their tie record and then rubber record.

GROUP A
Delaclava 5-0, 15-0
Sarzonia B 4-1, 12-3
Kingdom of Costa Luna 2-3, 6-9
Shadowbourne 2-3, 5-10
Darmen 1-4, 4-11
Lithatrius 1-4, 3-12

GROUP B
Sarzonia 5-0, 15-0
Thatius 4-1, 10-5
The Inevitable Syndicate 3-2, 9-6
The Royal Kingdom of Quebec 2-3, 7-8
Levivania 1-4, 3-12
Swibia 0-5, 1-14

GROUP C
Saugeais 5-0, 13-2
Tyrrin 3-2, 11-4
Kriegiersien 3-2, 9-6
Super-Llamaland 3-2, 8-7
Schmiegelland 1-4, 4-11
The Andromeda Islands 0-5, 0-15

Here are the 12 seeds, sorted by tie record, then rubber record, then, as was necessary for some teams, set record.

1. Sarzonia 5-0, 15-0, 35-4
2. Delaclava 5-0, 15-0, 35-6
3. Saugeais 5-0, 13-2
4. Sarzonia B 4-1, 12-3
5. Thatius 4-1, 10-5
6. Tyrrin 3-2, 11-4
7. Kriegiersien 3-2, 9-6, 29-20
8. The Inevitable Syndicate 3-2, 9-6, 24-22
9. Super-Llamaland 3-2, 8-7
10. The Royal Kingdom of Quebec 2-3, 7-8
11. Kingdom of Costa Luna 2-3, 6-9
12. Shadowbourne 2-3, 5-10

So here are the first round matchups, to be played on the next matchday. It is Scott Cup tradition to avoid group rematches in the early rounds; fortunately, no matchups had to be adjusted this time.

#5 Thatius vs. #12 Shadowbourne
#6 Tyrrin vs. #11 Kingdom of Costa Luna
#7 Kriegiersien vs. #10 The Royal Kingdom of Quebec
#8 The Inevitable Syndicate vs. #9 Super-Llamaland

The winners will face the top four seeds. Group rematches will also be avoided for that round if possible.

Good luck to all and keep the RP coming!

[Kingdom of Costa Luna]

Costa Luna is not out yet. After a win over Levivania, Costa Luna is seeded eleventh in the Scott Cup playoffs. Vito Najera played a great match defeating Marvin J. Potter in four sets. Najera had complete domination of the match with only a minor hiccup in the second set. Najera has been improving his serves each match and is now one of the most accurate in the competition. Isabell Espiño continued her comeback fashion win defeating Carolyn B. Humphery in three sets, despite dropping the first set 4-6. Humphrey came within one point victory in the second set leading the 6-5 in the tie breaker. Espiño scored three times to seal her second set win and then dominated the third set breaking Humphrey's serve three times. Espiño's win sealed the Costa Luna's victory allowing the doubles game to be just to stay loose. Costa Luna now will face Tyrrin, who is seeded sixth. It will be Najera and Espiño's turn to face Rikke Leondarson and Regina von Kann. Many are questioning the stamina of the Tyrrin players as they were competing in both the Scott Cup and the WTTC. Costa Luna eliminated Tyrrin from the WTTC last round after von Kann and Leondarson showed signs of fatigue.

In the WTTC, Costa Luna again finds themselves down two matches to one against number five Thatius. Marcela Bozeman has not been sharp loosing her third straight match to Christian Janozicz in straight sets. Josiah Chadwick, on the other hand, extends his winning streak to six matches with a straight set win over Laura Reynolds. Chadwick was challenged in the second and third sets after dominating the first set 6-0. The doubles team of Fioré and Mason lost against David Fynsterberg and Philipp Marrero. Fioré and Mason put up a good fight loosing in five sets. The highlight of the match was in the fourth set where Fioré and Mason won the set off a tie breaker (10-8). Fioré will again play in the first rubber match against Laura Reynolds. Fioré is relaxed and confident that she can beat Reynolds. Fioré's serves have become a key part of her singles game and she is now averaging about 110 MPH service speed. Chadwick will again be giving Mason a break as he will face Christian Janowicz in the second rubber match. Chadwick, who is on a six game winning streak, will be the favorite going into the match, after Bozeman really challenged Janowicz in the final set of her match. Costa Luna must win both matches to advance to play the seventh ranked team, The Inevitable Syndicate. Queen Sophia Fioré, now hailed as the lucky charm for Costa Luna, will again watch her daughter and fellow countryman play in their respective matches before returning back to Costa Luna.

[Sarzonia]

The four Sarzonians made their way to their seats, along the way getting brief handshakes from other attendees.

The conversations were brief, which suited Polley just fine. His mind was swirling with thoughts as he mentally prepared for his speech. He was aware that he would essentially speak for all of Sarzonia, but didn't allow his mind to process the fact that he was speaking so early in the programme.

About 15 minutes in, he heard the words that made him realise it was go time.

"Ladies and gentlemen, speaking on behalf of the Sarzonian tennis delegation and on behalf of our northern neighbours, Mr. David Polley."

Polley stood up, drew in his breath and exhaled slowly, then walked deliberately toward the podium. He unfolded his speech, which he finally was able to finish up and print before he went to the car.

Here goes everything, Polley thought. He walked up in front of the microphone and looked out at the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, friends in the tennis community and family, it is my honor to speak to you on behalf of the Incorporated States of Sarzonia and the tennis community at large," Polley began.

"We come here today to celebrate the life of Darren Kelly Giles," Polley said. "He was arguably the greatest male tennis player in history," he said, giving a slight grimace as if to show that it was a reluctant admission on his part as a longtime rival. "He did so much for Delaclav tennis. He also contributed enormously to the growth of Sarzonian tennis. His power and his motivation on the court were without rival. Off the court, his mentorship of younger players was invaluable to the growth of the sport in general.

"I am pleased to announce to you all what I told Darren when I saw him the last time," Polley said. "President Nicole Lewis couldn't attend herself, so she asked me to announce that the flags outside the Dave Wilson Athletic Complex will fly at half staff. We will also have a day of remembrance for Darren today. In addition, the tennis facility that is part of the Dave Wilson Athletic Complex in Woodstock will be named the Darren Giles Tennis Centre. It will be our monument to a man who leaves an impressive legacy in the sport.

"However, Darren's legacy extends well beyond tennis. He has been an inspiration to people on both sides of the border. He has been an exceptional husband to Sarah and a wonderful father to Forrest and Claire. He has been a friend to both Rocco Davis and to me. When I think of Darren Kelly Giles, I think of all the great battles we fought on the wooden courts here in Catherina. But most importantly, I think of the memories we made.

"When people talk about you when you pass on, they talk about what you leave behind. Darren Kelly Giles has left behind a beautiful family, both by the love between husband and wife and between father and children and his extended tennis family, of whom I am so deeply honored to be part of. We will miss him, but we will always cherish the memories he leaves behind. He will always have a place in the hearts and minds of the people of Delaclava and Sarzonia.

"Thank you, everyone."

Polley turned and walked back to his seat. When he walked toward Davis's seat on the way to his own, Davis stood up and shook his hand, then followed it with a lengthy embrace.

[The Royal Kingdom of Quebec]

It has been a tough time for RKQ's Scott Cup team. They won 2 and lost 3 matches. 2 of those losses were quite close, but showed many that Quebecois tennis still has a long way to go in the International stage. So, this means that the Royal Tennis Association(RTA) should somehow find ways to start improving our player stocks by training talented, good prospects from early age and bring in elite, imported mentors and coaches to alleviate their level of playing. In addition, they should start improving what is a very precarious financial situation by either fundraise through various ways and/or lobby provincial and federal governments to give more funds to them.

Now, going back to their upcoming playoffs business....
Their mediocre, 2-3 performance gained them the 4th place in Group B and 10th Seeding. They avoided elimination and given a chance to redeem. Now, they had to fight Kriegiersen, a strange nation with huge trollface on their national flag. While those so-called trolls won't be difficult to beat, Mr.Hossa and Ms.Bourassa nevertheless should be careful or else, Royal Kingdom of Quebec will face another early exit following World Team Tennis Championships.

[Delaclava]

RP cutoff!

[Delaclava]

WORLD TEAM TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Winners Round 4

Match 15: #1 Delaclava 4-1 #2 Sarzonia
Rocco Davis (DEL) def. Clay Bonner 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 7-5
Will Goggin (DEL) def. Cara Vanin 6-7 (3-7), 5-7, 7-6 (11-9), 6-3, 6-1
Usan Djabe Arefi/Daiko Uchimura (DEL) def. Matt Branson/Alyssa Tyler 7-5, 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 10-8
Adrian Fernandez (DEL) def. Vanin 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 6-0
Bonner (SRZ) def. Vacha Tiopolov 7-6 (7-5), 0-6, 6-4, 6-2

Consolation Round 4

Match 26: #7 The Inevitable Syndicate 5-0 Super-Llamaland
Andrew Adams (TIS) def. Eric Francis 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
Callum Wilkinson (TIS) def. Jennifer Stone 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)
Nathan Bishop/Daniel Bishop (TIS) def. Jeff Martell/Erin McKenzie 7-5, 6-0, 6-2
Adams (TIS) def. Stone 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
Wilkinson (TIS) def. Francis 4-6, 6-7 (6-8), 7-5, 7-6 (10-8), 6-3

Match 27: Kingdom of Costa Luna 1-4 #5 Thatius
Christian Janowicz (THT) def. Marcela Bozeman 6-2, 6-2, 7-5
Josiah Chadwick (KCL) def. Laura Reynolds 6-0, 7-6 (8-6), 7-5
David Fynsterberg/Philipp Marrero (THT) def. Rosalinda Fiore/Carter Mason 7-5, 6-4, 5-7, 6-7 (8-10), 6-2
Laura Reynolds (THT) def. Rosalinda Fiore 6-4, 6-0, 6-1
Christian Janowicz (THT) def. Josiah Chadwick 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4

Consolation Round 5
Match 28: #7 The Inevitable Syndicate vs. #5 Thatius

[Kingdom of Costa Luna]

A fifth place finish is not bad for a team ranked fifteenth entering the WTTC. Costa Luna was eliminated after loosing to the fifth ranked team, Thatius, 1-4. Costa Luna will now turn its focus to the Scott Cup playoffs, in which Vito Najera and Isabell Espiño will face the duo from Tyrrin. The Costa Lunian players need to wear down Tyrrin's tired players of Leondarson and von Kann. Both Leondarson and von Kann competed in both the WTTC and the Scott Cup this year. Costa Luna looks to again knock Leondarson and von Kann out of a competition, having already knocked the pair out of the WTTC earlier in the tournament.

[Delaclava]

RP cutoff for the Scott Cup play-ins and part of the WTTC!

[Delaclava]

SCOTT CUP

#5 Thatius 2-1 #12 Shadowbourne
Rob Djokic (THT) def. KL Lobzhanidze 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
Caroline Kygios (THT) def. Koressa Stefanov 6-4, 6-1
Lobzhanidze/Stefanov (SHB) def. Djokic/Kygios 7-5, 7-6 (10-8)

#6 Tyrrin 1-2 #11 Kingdom of Costa Luna
Vito Najera (KCL) def. Rikke Leondarson 5-7, 2-6, 6-0, 6-4, 6-2
Regina von Kann (TYR) def. Isabell Espino 6-0, 7-5
Najera/Espino (KCL) def. Leondarson/von Kann 7-5, 4-6, 6-0

#7 Kriegiersien 0-3 #10 The Royal Kingdom of Quebec
Felix Jeon (RKQ) def. Andrew Graf 5-7, 6-4, 6-0, 3-6, 7-5
Carolyn Bourassa (RKQ) def. Hermine Murphy 6-2, 6-3
Jeon/Bourassa (RKQ) def. Graf/Murphy 7-5, 2-6, 6-4

#8 The Inevitable Syndicate 3-0 #9 Super-Llamaland
Antonio Cronin (TIS) def. Chris Robenson 7-5, 6-0, 6-4
Michelle Newton (TIS) def. Milica Makokic 6-4, 6-4
Cronin/Newton (TIS) def. Robenson/Makokic 6-3, 5-7, 7-5

QUARTERFINALS
#1 Sarzonia vs. #11 Kingdom of Costa Luna
#2 Delaclava vs. #10 Royal Kingdom of Quebec
#3 Saugeais vs. #8 The Inevitable Syndicate
#4 Sarzonia B vs. #5 Thatius

Again, no matchups had to be adjusted to avoid group rematches! Hooray! Congrats to the winners and good luck!

---

WORLD TEAM TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

Consolation Round 5
Match 28: #7 The Inevitable Syndicate 2-1 #5 Thatius
Christian Janowicz (THT) def. Andrew Adams 7-5, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
Callum Wilkinson (TIS) def. Laura Reynolds 5-7, 7-6 (7-3), 6-0, 6-1
Nathan Bishop/Daniel Bishop (TIS) def. David Fynsterberg/Philipp Marrero 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (13-11)

[Kingdom of Costa Luna]

In response to the controversy surrounding the first time Costa Luna and Sarzonia faced each other, the Costa Lunian Department of Athletics has decided to try getting fans to show up at the Scott Cup on Wednesday in Delaclava. In doing so, the Department of Athletics has hired Monster Truck announcer "Mr. Sunday Sunday Sunday" to voice the following promotion.

"Wednesday! Wednesday! Wednesday!

Be there as Costa Luna takes on Sarzonia!
See the nations battle it out on the court and in the stands!
Meet your favorite Costa Lunian player before the match and let your voice be heard!

Wednesday! Wednesday! Wednesday! Be there or be square!"

[Delaclava]

RP cutoff!

[Delaclava]

WORLD TEAM TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

Consolation Round 5
Match 28: #7 The Inevitable Syndicate 3-2 #5 Thatius
Christian Janowicz (THT) def. Andrew Adams 7-5, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
Callum Wilkinson (TIS) def. Laura Reynolds 5-7, 7-6 (7-3), 6-0, 6-1
Nathan Bishop/Daniel Bishop (TIS) def. David Fynsterberg/Philipp Marrero 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (13-11)
Janowicz (THT) def. Wilkinson 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
Adams (TIS) def. Reynolds 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)

Consolation Round 6
Match 29: #7 The Inevitable Syndicate vs. #2 Sarzonia

[The Inevitable Syndicate]

Delaclavan Tennis Review

2nd July 12013

---

Catherina, DELACLAVA---- Christ, it seems like it's been ages since we covered the Syndicate's performance in the 8th Scott Cup and the 2nd World Team Tennis Championship. That with all the oddities that have been going on in the Syndicate, as well as the general hubbub surrounding the World Cup, tennis seems to have fallen by the wayside. However I, Harvey Harding, am back to give you a review of what's been happening.

Scott Cup
In the Scott Cup, the Syndicate were paired up against the wonderful nation of Super-Llamaland. Now, from what I can ascertain, Llamas aren't the best at tennis, and this seemed to prove true as Antonio Cronin and Michelle Newton thoroughly thrashed Chris Robenson and Milica Makokic. Newton fared better against Makolic than Cronin did Robenson, as she beat her opponent in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. This just goes to show that when Syndicatians put their mind to something, and the stakes are high enough, they can go on to achieve anything.

Next up in the Scott Cup, Cronin and Newton face Stefan Baptiste & Jeanne Ribéry of Saugeais. Now, we've never faced Saugeais in the tennis before, but as the third seed compared to our eighth, it's going to be a long uphill struggle if we want to progress. With a bit of luck, and lots of practice, I think that our tennis players can go toe-to-toe with the opposition. As that chess team always says - stranger things have happened.

World Team Tennis Championship
As for our future WTT Champions, they have blitzed through several consolation rounds, taking on big names such as Swibia, Super-Llamaland, Kriegiersien, and Thatius. That has bought us all the way to Consolation Rouns Six, which sees us play the slightly upset side of... Sarzonia! Yes, that's right ladies and gentlemen, the very team that damned us to this consolation bracket in the first place will play us again, having bean beaten by the hosts, Delaclava. This rematch is shure to be a spicy one, as each one of the Syndicatian players will be out for revenge, having each lost a game against a Sarzonian the first time they faced each other. In fact, Callum Wilkinson was the only one to actually pick up any match points in that fateful encounter, yet still he will be looking to take it back and hopefully face off against Delaclava in an epic final match that will truly test the mettle of the Syndicatian Players.

It seems in recent months that the face of Syndicatian tennis is no longer Antonio Cronin - competing at a national level, he blew everyone out of the water, but on this international stage, it's Callum Wilkinson that is faring far better. After all, Wilkinson won the Syndicatian slam, and if the WTTC team can pull off a better performance than the Scott Cup duo can, then maybe it's time for Cronin to stop hogging the top spot. I tried to reach either one for comments, but none of them would adequately respond to my comments. Whether they were just being polite, or there's something more sinister at work remains to be seen...

But anyway, best of luck to all the Syndicatian competitors in their next round. Show those old boys what it means to play tennis!

Harvey Harding
ILN Sports

[Delaclava]

In the days after Darren Giles' death...

Andrew Fuller was Darren Giles' last opponent in a farewell exhibition. Giles had become a mentor to young Andrew and had wanted to use the friendly match as a way to usher in the new generation of men's tennis. The match was all about Darren in a 6-3, 6-2 victory, but young Andrew Fuller certainly held his own against an all-time great.

Darren meant a lot to Andrew, and so it was with a heavy heart that Andrew took on Thatius' Laura Reynolds in a dead rubber. Andrew felt shaky in the shadow of his mentor's death and legacy, but fortunately the young Thatian woman was insufficient in power and quickness to handle Andrew in a 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 victory for the 17-year-old Delaclav.

Lachlan Delany had a much bigger challenge to face. He had known Darren very well throughout his career, and although Lachlan had beaten his older rival just two times in 35 tries, but they had grown so much respect for each other that Lachlan took the death hard. He carried a lot more grief against a worthy opponent: the big-serving, 6-foot-8 giant Christian Janowicz. Delany wasn't prepared to play on this day, so he dropped the first set 6-0 before he had even gotten his feet wet and the second 6-1 before his head in the right mindset to play.

Janowicz's big serve was impossible to break, and Delany steeled himself to hold every game and at least make it to the tiebreaker. His intense focus brought the set to 6-all, and the match truly looked even as the two players worked the game to 12-12. Finally, Delany got ahold of a fast serve and sent a backhand down the line right past Janowicz. Serving at 13-12, Delany and Janowicz got into a long baseline rally before Delany flicked a clever dropshot over the net. The big Thatian knew he was beat. Set Delany.

The fourth set was all Delany. He immediately broke a tired Janowicz at love and then held for a 2-0 lead. Although Delany wouldn't break again in the set, he made his opponent work for every hold, and his serve and strokes were working on all cylinders to easily keep the advantage, and he coasted to a 6-4 win and the fifth set.

Janowicz, however, had spent the end of the fourth set recovering for the fifth, and he was back in full form. His serve was strong again, and both men held until Delany was serving down 4-3. Janowicz overpowered with his forehand, and suddenly he was serving for the match.

For the team, this match had no consequence. For Lachlan, this match meant everything. Coach Frank Williams had called him up to play in honor of Darren, and Lachlan was not about to let down his friend and mentor. He found a second wind and needed about a minute to break Janowicz at love, and then hold for 5-5.

Each player continued to hold their serve with progressively less ease. Janowicz led at 11-10 when he ripped a few winners past Delany. Triple break and match point, Janowicz.

Lachlan bounced the ball a few times, and suddenly he heard a voice: Push through. It was Darren, who had mastered the art of the marathon fifth set.

That was all Lachlan needed. Ace, serve and volley winner, unreturned serve, ace, ace. The best serving game the 6-footer had ever played, and it couldn't come at a better time. 11-11.

Janowicz served at 13-13 when he got shaky and ended two rallies into the net. The voice again: Now. End it now.

Again, that was all Lachlan needed. Janowicz got conservative with his next serve and Lachlan made him pay with a forehand winner. Returning at love-40, Delany pulled a dropshot. Janowicz came to the net and got it back. Lachlan bent down as low as he could and brushed the ball up. It went high over Janowicz and looked to be going long, but the topspin went into action and the ball bounced on the line.

Lachlan had broken Janowicz' serve and, more importantly, his resolve. When Janowicz's final return went wide, Lachlan collapsed on the ground with physical and emotional fatigue. This match wasn't for any championship, but as Lachlan pointed up into the sky where Darren was, every Delaclav there knew they wouldn't forget that match where tribute was paid to the greatest player of all time.

---

David knocked on the door, and Sarah Giles opened. Sarah had left a voicemail asking David to come over.

Sarah took David's arm and led him into Darren's room. It was a strange experience for David. Darren Giles had been in this house, still living and breathing, the last time David had come. Now the room felt so empty, as the man David had come to love and respect as a rival and a friend was gone.

Sarah smiled softly at David and told him, "Thank you so much for all of your help over the past few years. You've meant a lot to Darren over the past several years and you'll always mean so much to me and the kids as a family friend." She laughed slightly. "We always used to root against you because you were always playing him. But Darren was a huge fan of you after he retired and we always will be."

David smiled at her. Sarah turned around and opened a case. She took out a worn tennis racquet and showed it to David. "This was Darren's lucky racquet against you. He beat you with this in the 4th Scott Cup and he saved this for every time he played you after that." She smiled again. "I always told him he needed a new racquet to hit the ball better. But he insisted." She pressed it into David's arms. "And he wanted you to have it."

David stood there, racquet in hand, in shock for a second. Then he and Sarah embraced. David started, "If you ever need anything...", but he left it at that. She knew what he meant.

Sarah, slightly tearfully, replied, "Thank you so much."

---

After President Chinwe Van Der Beek gave a brief opening speech about a national hero, it was David Polley's turn. He spoke eloquently about his friend's legacy and impact not just on tennis, but on Delaclava and Sarzonia as a whole. He returned to his seat to give Rocco a long embrace. Then President Van Der Beek said, "And now, speaking on behalf of Delaclav tennis, the sport and community to which Mr. Giles gave so much...Mr. Rocco Davis."

Rocco stood up and walked over to the podium. After taking a deep breath, he began. "Tennis in Delaclava - players, coaches, umpires, linespeople, ball boys and girls, everybody that makes up this community - is like a very big, dysfunctional family. We're always against each other in matches like brothers and sisters fighting. We yell at the umpires about bad calls like we would yell at parents when they told us something we didn't want to hear. We have tantrums and throw racquets and chairs like four-year-olds kick and scream." That got a laugh from the audience. One of the elderly umpires in attendance called out, "Speak for yourself." Even more laughs, especially from Rocco. They all remembered Rocco's earlier career.

Once Rocco recovered, he said, "But at the end of the day, we all truly love and care for each other. We're always looking out for each other, making sure our bodies are all healthy and unhurt, and we're making sure everyone's lives outside of tennis are going well. This is a family I'm proud to have been a part of for so many years and this is a family I never want to leave.

"Darren Giles was that super cool uncle that sometimes comes to visit." More laughs. "You know, with top players like that, they're constantly traveling and you don't always see them much. I know that's how it's been with career. But every person in this family has encountered Darren, and many have gotten to talk to him. And he'd always ask you if you were all right, how you felt about your playing, what else was going on. He could make you laugh like not many other people when you got to talking with him. But more importantly, he always had some sort of advice for you. About your game, about something else in your life, he had more wisdom than anyone else I've ever met in this game.

"Because those of you who saw the early part of his career knew he could be that kicking and screaming toddler as well. You all saw the Darren Giles that was a lot like the apathetic teenager. But what made us all love him so much was how much he matured. When he set his mind to something, he accomplished it. He had more than his fair share of setbacks, but he overcame each one. And he learned something from each obstacle he beat, and he passed that knowledge on to the people around him." He paused to collect himself for what he was going to say next.

"We're all familiar with the final obstacle he had to face. ALS. It was so tough on him, to have his body breaking down without him having anything to say about it. It was so tough on his family to watch it, helplessly. And it was tough on so many of us to see what was happening." He breathed for a second. "I couldn't understand why it had to be my best friend, my mentor that was suffering from a random, debilitating disease with an inevitable end. It killed me to see him struggle through it."

Rocco lowered his head, then raised it again to continue. "But he dealt with it like any other challenge. It was never about him. No "Why me?". He accepted the situation for what it was, and he kept being himself. He continued to press on with his career, five-setter after five-setter, until he couldn't do it any longer. He went out on his own terms. And all the while, he continued to give us advice. He wanted to make sure everyone else around him was doing well. He wanted to improve the people in his immediate family and his extended tennis family.

"I've always known I've become a better tennis player because of his influence. But he's made me a better person. I've made mistakes in my life, but he didn't give up on me because he knew how almost everyone had given up on him before he dug himself out. He never gave up on anyone he met, and he never quit on himself.

"So we're obviously all sad that this tragedy has occurred. But we're here to celebrate one fantastic life. He inspired everyone in the family of tennis to improve and to persevere. And everyone here right now, everyone in this country - no doubt you saw him play, and whether you know it or not, he made you believe in yourself and to strive for the best version of yourself. And I know if you seize every day like he did, never give up on what you want like the way he persevered, and look after the people around you the way he cared about everyone, then you'll have lived one hell of a life.

"Thank you."

Rocco returned to his seat, and again Rocco and David embraced.

Forrest and Claire gave a brief speech. They told the funeral-goers how much their dad had touched them. They vowed to always live by his example and urged others to do the same. After that, it was time to start the customary procession of the hearse around the city of Catherina. Normally that hearse would go all the way to the home of the deceased. But Darren was born and raised in Catherina, and President Van Der Beek had granted him a spot in the Catherina National Cemetery.

David Polley, Rocco Davis, Albertina Iniesta and Joann Grimsley arose first. They each took the coffin bearing Darren Giles by a corner. Everyone watched as the foursome carried the coffin from the front of the podium down the marble stairs into the awaiting hearse. The four then got into the car, and it started to drive. All four had been with Darren both in his career and in his final days, and now they would be accompanying him to his final resting place.

[Kingdom of Costa Luna]

Vito Najera looked outside his hotel window. Tomorrow, he and Isabell Espiño would be facing the best team Sarzonia has put together. Outside the window, Najera could see fans walking by carrying signs that Najera could only assume to contain offensive innuendos. Najera could only assume that Sarzonia's Lunian fans were planning to come to tomorrow's match. Najera knew that Sarzonia would start to whine after the matches were over about the fans. All he could do was to do his best and try to win against David Polley. If somehow Costa Luna could pull off the upset, maybe the Sarzonian fans would stop coming to the matches trying to get Costa Luna a bad name. However, Espiño would have to beat Joann Grimsley or both Najera and Espiño would need to win the doubles match.