Merseyshore Masters [NSTT] - IC Thread

[Ethane]

Unfortunately, circumstances have meant that the Symphonian Masters are unable to be held, yet Ethane has kindly offered to step in and host the event, so that the final tennis event of the calendar before the World Tour Finals still goes ahead. Those who want to cement their spot in the Finals standings will likely play at these events, as will many of the game's rising stars and perhaps some players who want to get up on their game again after a period of absence.

The tournament will be held in Merseyshore, due to the New Sarum tennis courts still being under repair, at the Merseyshore Multipurpose Sports Centre, which has a large proportion dedicated to tennis.

• This is a Tier 1 NSTT event
• This tournament will be held on indoor hard courts.
• Two events will run at this tournament - a singles and doubles event which will run alongside each other at the same location.
• All male, female, non-gendered and non-humans are allowed to partake in the singles and doubles tournament.

In the First Round there will be 64 singles and 32 doubles. The 16 highest seeded singles players (+ next highest ranked players who are unseeded) and 8 highest ranked doubles players will automatically qualify at least for the First Round of the tournament.

The Singles Qualification will involve 22 groups of 4 players, with the top 2 players + 2 'lucky losers' progressing. The Doubles Qualification will involve 11 groups of 4, with the top 2 pairs progressing from each group, with 2 'lucky losers' also progressing.

Schedule

Cutoffs will be between 2330 and 0030 UTC.

20th December - Singles/Doubles MD1
21st December - Singles/Doubles MD2
22nd December - Singles/Doubles MD3
23rd December - Singles Round of 64
24th December - Singles/Doubles Round of 32
25th December - Singles/Doubles Round of 16
26th December - Singles/Doubles Quarter-Finals
27th December - Singles/Doubles Semi-Finals
28th December - Singles/Doubles Final

Seeded
Andy Amada;CEN
Johmer Vales;CEN
Catherine Kruminš;SCH
Kika Dovan;CEN
Ardil Navsal;CEN
Marla Gerard;NEG
Dioro Hansil;CEN
Neia Dovan;CEN
Simcha bat Dor;JUD
Luke Pool;SCH
Jill Walker;SCH
Alma Semmes;NEG
Eliza Reusmann;SCH
Noah Damaris;CEN
Alice Curson;ETN
Nico Angelo;ETN

Unseeded automatic qualifier
Andrew Lamar;NGD

Singles Groups

Group 1
Stephanie Brown;NGD
Laura Roshik;MRC
Jade Oreskovic;SRB
Sabina Soća;MTJ

Group 2
Danjiella Zovic;NEG
Alastair Breaker;ETN
Gilad ben Yehudah;JUD
Rasmus Milik;MRC

Group 3
Thomas Hutchon;ETN
Marisa Celeste Frieri;SRB
Kasandra Perrier;EFL
Sami Dominikanov;MTJ

Group 4
Thierry Garzala;NEG
Linwood Marchand;NDA
Marco Vrient;NEG
Tony Tuk;QAD

Group 5
Halaeo DiGaldi;QAD
Keeley Sinai;EFL
Elizabeth Quehall;BRI
Andrea Palmannerson;MRC

Group 6
Leo Garry;BRI
Mattias Burges;MTJ
Dani Mateus;NDA
Icy Mellows;QAD

Group 7
Cracik Almeronovic;MRC
Sukaina Yunan;EFL
Dominika Lisicki;MTJ
Lou Herriot;NDA

Group 8
Hollie Gratton;ETN
Samuel Hartnell;ETN
Paisley Brazzos;QAD
Maritania Cross;NDA

Group 9
Hadar ben Ofer;JUD
Feyrord Poniac;QAD
Mayeso Kayden;NDA
Edmund Wilkinson;ETN

Group 10
Dominic Ripaldi;NEG
Paul Chinra;TOB
Sarah Johnson;TOB
Mikhayhu Lévesque;NDA

Group 11
Adam Gory;SCH
Charlotte Little;ETN
Arieh ben Daniyyel;JUD
Molly Rhonic;MRC

Group 12
Mark Southgate;NGD
Gisela Stefanovic;SRB
Tijana Mirkic;SRB
Yves Whitz;QAD

Group 13
Mei Jokek;MRC
Aljaž Ćorluka;MTJ
Ricardo Toli;BRI
Goran Petrovic;SRB

Group 14
Ty Kanelious;QAD
Jim Cowie;SCH
Vladimir Ivanovic Ivanov;SRB
Maria Julenič;MTJ

Group 15
Liam Penderyn;NGD
Carus Lurious;SCH
Rikard Kampl;MTJ
Markus Carlgren;MRC

Group 16
Tommy West;NGD
Derek Dubrovnik;BRI
Odell Bristol;NDA
Mila Sekera;SRB

Group 17
Megan Elliott;NGD
Alex Sanders;TOB
Livnat bat Avram;JUD
Mattias Doerwald;NEG

Group 18
Felice Mareaux;NEG
Ofir bat Paz;JUD
Max Aswick;NGD
Jaxton Monty;QAD

Group 19
Giorgio Irani;EFL
Aljaž Isaac;EFL
Yissakhar ben Ira;JUD
Jane Smith;TOB

Group 20
Jaimy Leger;EFL
Jason Gordon;BRI
Alexander Linip;MRC
Sanja Molanovič;MTJ

Group 21
Bradyn Burn;EFL
Jill Clark;NGD
Ofra bat Dekel;JUD
Starlin Azocar;SRB

Group 22
John Muir;SCH
Estela Fenton-Millington;EFL
Louis Amada;CEN
Jeanna Hakim;NDA

Doubles

Seeded
Elia Xal/Fia Xal;CEN
Will Nolovor/Kell Korden;CEN
Elizabeth Quehall/Leo Garry;BRI
Oscar Bowermars/Julie Syncole;ETN
Rob Westfelt/Ken Gates;SCH
Anat ben Yonah/Hadar ben Ofer;JUD
Andrew Lamar/Jack Algernon;NGD
Peter McLeod/Anna Jones;SCH

Group 1
Andy Amada/Noah Damaris;CEN
Newton Gray/Thomas Greene;ETN
Catherine Kruminš/Adam Gory;SCH
Ivan Ivanovic Ivanov/Marika Kanepi-Vukovic;SRB

Group 2
Kika Dovan/Neia Dovan;CEN
Jill Clark/Melissa Herbert;NGD
Paul Chinra/Alex Sanders;TOB
Dominic Ripaldi/Thierry Garzala;NEG

Group 3
Jordan Bennet/Lucy Hockers;ETN
Livnat bat Avram/Arieh ben Daniyyel;JUD
Sarah Johnson/Jane Smith;TOB
Jade Oreskovic/Tijana Mirkic;SRB

Group 4
Jack Parminus/Adam Stratesimov;MRC
Rikard Kampl/ Dominika Lisicki;MTJ
Felice Mareaux/Marla Gerard;NEG
Marco Vrient/Mattias Doerwald;NEG

Group 5
Alma Semmes/Danjiella Zovic;NEG
Rayford Wise/Dhaakir Prieto;EFL
Manasses Henryson/Itri Rider;NDA
Goran Petrovic/Ria Valentia;SRB

Group 6
Giorgio Irani/Clementina Travers;EFL
Marisa Celeste Frieri/Gisela Stefanovic;SRB
Yissakhar ben Ira/Gilad ben Yehudah;JUD
Mattias Burges/ Aljaž Ćorluka;MTJ

Group 7
Kiersten Bullock/Reina Jaber;EFL
Ricardo Toli/Lance Mance;BRI
Patrick Sintarnov/Harry Rymin;MRC
Furaha Abraham/Brooke Géroux;NDA

Group 8
Mark Southgate/Megan Elliott;NGD
Jake Cartson/Steven King;ETN
Jonum Korlovia/Johanna Korlovia;MRC
Måns Zowzer/Timmy Yukon;QAD

Group 9
Liam Penderyn/Harry Blackwood;NGD
Ravid ben Yehoshua/Ofir bat Paz;JUD
Rafferty Henri/Karissa Macy;NDA
Sabina Soća/ Dominik Augsbirjke;MTJ

Group 10
Phoebe Harvey/Berat Latif;EFL
Jack McDonell/Alan Alexander;SCH
Terry Rèben/Icy Mellows;QAD
Franklin Polymar/Yves Whitz;QAD

Group 11
Julian Slazić/ Lara Basič;MTJ
Laura Roshik/Wendy Noyek;MRC
Blair Forest/Donny Knight;QAD
Glenn Benoit/Masuma Hodson;NDA

[Neu Engollon]

"Neu Engollon, thanks for tuning in to Courtside Central on NETV Sports 19. I'm your host, Lizbet Rittenhaus and with me is my co-host, Dom Toglani. We’re covering the Merseyshore Masters, the last NSTT event before the World Tour Finals wraps up this tennis season. We’re broadcasting live from the Merseyshore Multipurpose Sports Centre in Merseyshore, Ethane.”

“Although, I’ll be flying back to Burgunden the day after tomorrow.”

“Yes, Dom will be coordinating from our home studios in a couple days, but we thought it would be nice to get in as many interviews and coverage of the first couple qualifying match days as possible. So, Dom, what do you think of the upcoming Masters?”

“Uh, well...As far as the Neu Engollian players go, that’s a loaded question, Lizbet. Hopes are high, but reality has to set in. I think we have to look back over this rocky season. It hasn’t been a good one for the NETC, the Neu Engollon Tennis Committee, by any measure. Paul Quiront sanctioned out due to his controversial remarks and conduct, and opting for early retirement and a new political career. That left Marla Gerard and Alma Semmes as the other two top veterans to pick up the slack and carry the banner through the rest of the year.”

“Coincidentally, the two seeded players that are getting a pass on the qualifying stage here. Unfortunately, Marla has had a tough go of it this season, since the NETC return to NSTT tennis. She hasn’t performed as well as she and most would have hoped and recently she revealed that she’s been dealing with some muscle sprains that won’t quite heal.”

“Apparently, they’ve plagued her through most of the season. I think she held off on saying anything and held the NETC management to silence because of exactly these sentiments expressed by most of the media in recent weeks...How most view it as an excuse for poor preparation for the season, and don’t feel that her claims of medical issues are valid at all.”

“I know Marla, and I know they’re real, but I also know you’re not one of those who believe the claims of falsehood, Dom. Marla has been struggling for sure, and she has struggled in silence. If we review a lot of match footage, that wincing during sets isn’t just emotional inner turmoil, it’s physical pain she’s working through. Such as this footage of the AOpen and the Mercedinian Open we’re watching.”

“No, I know that it’s real, but it’s been tough to convince the public fan base at large. It’s just been such a let down year overall. So, the mantle fell on Alma Semmes, who has her own struggles on the court. Semmes has never been a fully consistent player, and there’s been a lot asked of her as of late to be the leader of the NETC team. Also, let’s not forget the men, Matti Doerwald, Dom Ripaldi and Thierry Garzala, who may not have as veteran a status as Alma, but have also contributed to keeping the NETC in the running.”

“They have certainly done their part, no one can argue that. As well as Felice Mareaux and Marco Vrient, two of the top performing rookies this season for Neu Engollon. These two still show some promise, although this hasn’t quite been a breakout year for them, it has shown that they can hold their own against some of the top international players.”

“Very true. I think that they’ve definitely developed, while it may be another year before we see Kurt Dragic or Elke Hartung really perform well to international standards. I don’t want to take anything away from them, but they’re just not quite there yet.”

“‘Roster fills’ is the term that comes to mind, but certainly we don’t want to disparage them. They are very good players.”

“Absolutely, they are strong players and came up through the ranks in cantonal series and national championships, but they seem to have not been quite ready for that leap to the majors.”

“ I think what the NETC has also lacked since the departure of Quiront is a strong leading doubles team. It hasn’t helped that the NETC coaching staff keep switching up the pairings. Garzala just hasn’t performed as well with Ripaldi or Doerwald as he did with Quiront.”

“Yes, miracle of all miracles, somehow Thierry Garzala was able to partner well with the oft cantankerous Paul Quiront. They made an impressive doubles team and their communication and sense of each other’s blind spots made them a top choice when the NETC submitted entrants for NSTT tournaments.

“Of course, they were also popular favorites with the Neu Engollian tennis fan base. Garzala seemed to hold his own against his partner’s shenanigans.”

“The ying to Paul’s yang, so to speak?”

“I think that could be an apt metaphor, yes.”

“When we come back from this brief sponsor break, we’ll take a look at the competition that our Neu Engollian players face for their qualifying rounds.”

“Stay tuned here to Courtside Central here on NETV Sports 19. We’ll be back.”

[Schottia]

SBCNEWS Online...
Tennis special - Merseyshore Masters

---

Eight Schottians will take to the courts over the next couple of weeks, as the NSTT draws to a close in Ethane. For all except those lucky eight who make it through to the prestigious tour finals, this will be the last time they take to the courts before the short winter break. There are still two spots remaining on the flight to either Kannap or Mercedini, with Schottia's own Catherine Krumins booking her place with a quarterfinal run in Magr last week.

There is still everything to play for in Ethane, whether you are one of the athletes anxiously waiting to secure a spot, or just looking to go out on a high. Most Schottic hopes will be once again, on the young shoulders of Krumins - who despite a dip in form - has still been the nation's most consistent performer this season. Ever since she went out of the AOpen, the 18-year-old has struggled to reach those same dizzying heights, which saw her lift the Whitehaven Open. Fatigue is most likely to blame, but the girl from the North Island seems to be a glutton for punishment, as she is signed up for the doubles here as well. Krumins is joined in the main draw by Eliza Reusmann, Jill Walker, and Luke Pool - all of whom qualified automatically based on rankings.

Reusmann has had a very strong finish to the season, with final appearances in Whitehaven and Magr last week. Had she performed a little better in the slams, then she could have been looking back on a fantastic season, but as it is, she is well positioned for a push on the top-ten next year. Jill Walker has been surprisingly steady this season too, and her crowning achievement was in reaching the final in New Oxford. The defensive baseliner had an outside chance of making the tour final coming into the closing weeks, but like Krumins, she has seen her form drop. Luke Pool will be playing in his final NSTT tournament, in what will be his first and last full tour season. It will no doubt be an emotional moment for the 31-year-old, who was ticking along nicely in the Finals-race, before he got caught out on the grass courts. Of all the Schottian's taking to the courts in Merseyshore, he perhaps has the most to play for. Given that the hard courts are his best surface, there is every chance that he could go out with a bang here.

With the qualifiers getting underway tomorrow, Schottia could be further represented, with John Muir, Adam Gory, Jim Cowie, and Carus Larious all taking to the court. Currently ranked 35th in the world, Muir will be hoping to throw his name into the hat for the main draw. The often ill-tempered 20-year-old has been his own worse enemy at times, but his run to the quarters in Krytenia showed us exactly what he can do when he gets himself in order. Adam Gory is another player who can blow hot and cold, but with a forehand like his, he could be a real threat here on the Merseyshore courts. Larious has been criticised in the past for being little more than a big serve, but it was enough to take this hard hitting 20-year-old to the last sixteen in Emberton. While he has had mobility problems, there is little doubt that his serve can be a real game changer, but only if he can keep his percentages up. Finally, Jim Cowie hasn't had the best of seasons, but ranked in the top-100, he still has plenty to offer. As we have seen in the past, it can often take one good run on the NSTT to kick things off.

It has been an interesting season in NS tennis, where we have seen several new stars emerging on the scene, while at the same time, Ceni have cemented their dominance of the sport. While our players have made some impact, there is still a long way to go, and much room for improvement going into next season. Looking on the bright side however, with the exception of the outgoing Luke Pool, all of Schottia's rising stars are the right side of twenty-five, with plenty of room for improvement. It would also seem that we are still to see the best from Krumins, who can't have anticipated making the top ten at the start of this season. The teen, clay court specialist, missed the entire clay court season this year, so that will represent a brilliant opportunity to pick up some extra ranking points. None of the Schottians for that matter, made any inroads at the start of the season, so this could also be the best opportunity for Walker and Reusmann to stake their top-ten credentials.

In terms of the tour finals, they have perhaps come at a bad time for Krumins, given her current form. However, if she could perhaps recapture some of the magic she displayed in the ITT, or Whitehaven, then there is an outside chance of making the semis. Some good performances in Merseyshore would be a fine place to start though - and with the confidence boost that would no doubt come with a run to the latter stages - anything is possible.

[The Serbian Empire]

Serbian Tennis Guide
What Has Gone Wrong with Grouping?

As I've seen with the Merseyshore Masters Singles grouping, something has alarmed me. The idea of pitting two athletes from the same country. There are four of these groupings with one of them, Group 12 containing two Serbian athletes in Gisela Stefanovic and Tijana Mirkic. Groups 4, 8, and 19 are the other three in question. Of course, it does mean that the odds of a Serbian player emerging out of said group is quite high. However, it also means that the odds of the players cannibalizing each other is also high and deprive one or both of advancing out of the group since they are more familiar with each other than the other two in the group. If it's merely by ranking, then it's just an unfortunate coincidence. But we have yet to see if that is why Mirkic and Stefanovic are in this group. According to many of my calculations, Oreskovic wouldn't be a #3 seed if it wasn't by some form of pot system.

[Mattijana]

Cross-Court: Your NSTT Roundup

Merseyshore Masters To Begin

The final NSTT event of the calendar before the season-ending World Tour Finals will get underway shortly in Merseyshore, Ethane. As usual, Mattijana's top tennis players will be in action and although none have a chance of making the tour finals, they will all be determined to end the season on a high.
The singles players in particular have a point to prove after the unluckiest draw possible ended their hopes at the Magr Masters in Savalan. The doubles players will also want to capitalise on some excellent recent form.
This is how they line up.

Singles

Mattias Burges:
The Mattijanan number 1 has recently broken into the world's top 100 and will look to further progress when he begins his group matches later today. He faces a difficult tie with Britonisea's Leo Garry, before two more straightforward affairs with Dani Mateus from Ndaku and Icy Mellows from Qasden. As the top 2 players in each group qualify, he should be safe enoug.

Aljaž Ćorluka:
The Mattijanan number 2 has also had a good season, comfortably making knockout rounds in the latter half of the year. He too faces a very tricky tie with Mercedini's Mei Jokek, who famously knocked Mattias Burges out of the Mercedinian Open. Ricardo Toli should be more navigable, but experienced Serb Goran Petrovic is a potential banana skin.

Dominica Lisicki:
The emergence of Dominika Lisicki over the final few months of the season is a massive boost for Mattijanan tennis, particularly as she has also established a solid doubles partnership with Rikard Kampl. She has a reasonable qualifying group, facing Cracik Almeronovic from Mercedini, before Sukaina Yunan from Eastfield Lodge. Ndaku's Lou Herriot should provide little resistance as the group's bottom ranked player.

Rikard Kampl:
Another strong doubles competitor, Rikard Kampl will make a return to singles action after making way during the Tier 2 season. He takes on another decent group, with Liam Penderyn, part of the team that knocked out Julian Slazic and Lara Basič in the quarter finals of the Magr Masters; relatively inexperienced Schottian Carus Lurious and Mercedinian Markus Carlgren making up the other three players.

Maria Julenič:
Seventeen year old Maria Julenic is beginning to build up some experience for herself after an extended run in the recent Tier 2 tournaments. She is also beginning to win more and was agonisingly close to progressing to the knockout stages at the Magr Masters.
She will yet again face some tough opponents, with the Pulnik Academy-based player facing Qasden's Ty Kanelious, Schottia's Jim Cowie and Vladimir Ivanovic Ivanov from the Serbian Empire.

Sami Dominikanov:
Another Pulnik Academy player, Dominikanov was also handed some experience in the recent Magr Masters, but was largely unfavoured in place of Julenič. He comes in with a point to prove and will play some beatable opponents in Thomas Hutchon, Marisa Celeste Frieri and Kasandra Perrier.

Sabrina Soća:
After a two-tournament hiatus from the NSTT tour, Sabina Soća has returned to action for the Tier 1 event following an exceptional performance in her last Slam, where she pulled off one of the shocks of the season. She faces a tough player in New Gelderland's Stephanie Brown, but has two winnable matches against Laura Roshik from Mercedini and Jade Oreskovic from the Serbian Empire.

Sanja Molanovič:
Sanja Molanovič hasn't had a singles or doubles runout since the last slam in Krytenia, but also returns for Mattijana for this event. Fairly little is expected from her, on return, but a win or two is possible against Alexander Linip and Jason Gordon, but she will definitely find Jaimy Leger difficult to beat.

Doubles:

Julian Slazić/ Lara Basič:
The Mattijanan number one team had a good run to the quarter-finals in Magr, but will want to push on and start reaching semis and finals of tournaments. The first step to doing that is to get through a qualifying group in which they are the top seeds. They face Laura Roshik/ Wendy Noyek from Mercedini, Blair Forest/ Donny Knight from Qasden and Glenn Benoit/ Masuma Hodson from Ndaku.

Rikard Kampl/ Dominika Lisicki:
Rikard Kampl and Dominika Lisicki have made huge amounts of progress since the start of he season, which was accentuated by a brilliant run to the semi-finals of the Mercedinian Open. They face a crunch match against Jack Parminus and Aden Stratesimov, familiar opponents to Mattijanan sides. Their other opponents are Felice Mareux/ Maria Gerrad of Neu Engollon and Marco Vrient/ Mattias Doerwald, also from Neu Engollon.

Mattias Burges/ Aljaž Ćorluka:
The largely experimental pairing of Mattiijana's top singles players is not expected to bring significant results, but it might. They face a fairly unrealistic group of Irani/ Travers from Eastfield Lodge, Frieri/ Stefanovic from the Serbian Empire and Ben Ira/ Ben Yehudah from Judea.

Sabina Soća/ Dominik Augbirjke:
A relatively low key pairing, the specialist team of Soća and Augsbijke will look to increase their profile in a difficult group, containing the side that knocked Slazić and Basič out of the Magr Masters in straight sets, Liam Pendderyn and Harry Blackwood. Another good team are ben Yehoshua and bat Paz from Judea, whilst Ndaku's Rafferty Henri and Karissa Macy are also likely to just make up the numbers.

[House of Judah]

The Judeans boarded the bus that was taking them to their hotel in Merseyshore.

“Well, this is certainly a more metropolitan venue than last time,” remarked Ofir bat Paz. “Maybe we can go out and get a drink without being harassed this time.”

“Ofir, you’re a little too pretty to ever go out for a drink and not be at least partially harassed,” replied Arieh ben Daniyyel which earned him a prompt smack on the ear from his girlfriend and doubles partner, Livnat bat Avram. Ofir giggled in response. The bus made its way to the hotel and pulled to a stop in front of it.

“Oh no,” said Simcha bat Dor as she looked out the window.

“What?” asked Gilad ben Yehudah. “Is it a slum?”

“No, worse. Newsies.” The Judeans were bombarded with flashbulbs and shouted questions as they exited the bus and made their way to the hotel, most of them aimed at Hadar ben Ofer.

“Why are you back in Ethane if you don’t think it’s safe?” “Do you think all Ethanians are racists?” “Persons at the bar fight in Lowes say that you started it. Do you have a comment?”

“I’ve already made statements about that a couple weeks ago,” Hadar replied to them en masse. “If you have questions you should look them up.”

“There’s been some posts on alt-right forums about making you and other Judeans pay for insulting Ethane. Do you have a comment on that?”

“There’s also been posts on some forums describing what women would do with me on a fantasy date. I find those a lot more interesting than vague comments about payback by anonymous web-dwellers.” Anat ben Yonah looked at Hadar ben Ofer as they entered the hotel to begin checking into their rooms.

“Why do I get the feeling that this is just the tip of a very bad iceberg?” he asked his doubles partner.

[Ethane]

Cutoff.

Singles Qualification Groups

Group 1
Stephanie Brown (NGD)              3   5
Sabina Soca (MTJ)                  6   7

Laura Roshik (MRC)                 3   2
Jade Oreskovic (SRB)               6   6


  Group 1                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jade Oreskovic                   1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
  Sabina Soca                      1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Laura Roshik                     1   0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Stephanie Brown                  1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 2
Danjiella Zovic (NEG)              7   6
Rasmus Milik (MRC)                 5   2

Alastair Breaker (ETN)             3   6   4
Gilad ben Yehudah (JUD)            6   2   6


  Group 2                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Danjiella Zovic                  1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
2 Gilad ben Yehudah                1   1  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Alastair Breaker                 1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Rasmus Milik                     1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 3
Thomas Hutchon (ETN)               7   7
Sami Dominikanov (MTJ)             6   6

Marisa Celeste Frieri (SRB)        6   6   6
Kasandra Perrier (EFL)             7   3   4


  Group 3                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Thomas Hutchon                   1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
2 Marisa Celeste Frieri            1   1  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Kasandra Perrier                 1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Sami Dominikanov                 1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 4
Thierry Garzala (NEG)              6   6
Tony Tuk (QAD)                     4   3

Linwood Marchand (NDA)             4   2
Marco Vrient (NEG)                 6   6


  Group 4                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Marco Vrient                     1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
  Thierry Garzala                  1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Linwood Marchand                 1   0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Tony Tuk                         1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 5
Halaeo DiGaldi (QAD)               6   6
Andrea Palmannerson (MRC)          4   2

Keeley Sinai (EFL)                 7   6
Elizabeth Quehall (BRI)            5   1


  Group 5                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Halaeo DiGaldi                   1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
  Keeley Sinai                     1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Andrea Palmannerson              1   0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Elizabeth Quehall                1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 6
Leo Garry (BRI)                    6   6
Icy Mellows (QAD)                  4   2

Mattias Burges (MTJ)               4   6   4
Dani Mateus (NDA)                  6   4   6


  Group 6                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Leo Garry                        1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
2 Dani Mateus                      1   1  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Mattias Burges                   1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Icy Mellows                      1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 7
Cracik Almeronovic (MRC)           7   6
Lou Herriot (NDA)                  6   2

Sukaina Yunan (EFL)                3   6   8
Dominika Lisicki (MTJ)             6   3   6


  Group 7                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Cracik Almeronovic               1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
2 Sukaina Yunan                    1   1  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Dominika Lisicki                 1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Lou Herriot                      1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 8
Hollie Gratton (ETN)               3   7   6
Maritania Cross (NDA)              6   5   4

Samuel Hartnell (ETN)              5   7   2
Paisley Brazzos (QAD)              7   5   6


  Group 8                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Hollie Gratton                   1   1  0    2   1  +1    3
  Paisley Brazzos                  1   1  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Maritania Cross                  1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
  Samuel Hartnell                  1   0  1    1   2  −1    0

Group 9
Hadar ben Ofer (JUD)               3   6
Edmund Wilkinson (ETN)             6   7

Feyrord Poniac (QAD)               2   6   3
Mayeso Kayden (NDA)                6   3   6


  Group 9                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Edmund Wilkinson                 1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
2 Mayeso Kayden                    1   1  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Feyrord Poniac                   1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Hadar ben Ofer                   1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 10
Dominic Ripaldi (NEG)              6   6
Mikhayhu Lévesque (NDA)            0   0

Paul Chinra (TOB)                  6   0   4
Sarah Johnson (TOB)                3   6   6


  Group 10                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Dominic Ripaldi                  1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
2 Sarah Johnson                    1   1  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Paul Chinra                      1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Mikhayhu Lévesque                1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 11
Adam Gory (SCH)                    6   6
Molly Rhonic (MRC)                 4   3

Charlotte Little (ETN)             6   6   6
Arieh ben Daniyyel (JUD)           3   7   4


  Group 11                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Adam Gory                        1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
2 Charlotte Little                 1   1  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Arieh ben Daniyyel               1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Molly Rhonic                     1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 12
Mark Southgate (NGD)               6   6
Yves Whitz (QAD)                   1   2

Gisela Stefanovic (SRB)            4   7   6
Tijana Mirkic (SRB)                6   5   0


  Group 12                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Mark Southgate                   1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
2 Gisela Stefanovic                1   1  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Tijana Mirkic                    1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Yves Whitz                       1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 13
Mei Jokek (MRC)                    7   6  11
Goran Petrovic (SRB)               5   7   9

Aljaž Corluka (MTJ)                6   6
Ricardo Toli (BRI)                 4   3


  Group 13                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Aljaž Corluka                    1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
2 Mei Jokek                        1   1  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Goran Petrovic                   1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Ricardo Toli                     1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 14
Ty Kanelious (QAD)                 7   6
Maria Julenic (MTJ)                6   4

Jim Cowie (SCH)                    2   6   6
Vladimir Ivanovic Ivanov (SRB)     6   4   2


  Group 14                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Ty Kanelious                     1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
2 Jim Cowie                        1   1  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Vladimir Ivanovic Ivanov         1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Maria Julenic                    1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 15
Liam Penderyn (NGD)                7   6
Markus Carlgren (MRC)              5   3

Carus Lurious (SCH)                6   6
Rikard Kampl (MTJ)                 2   0


  Group 15                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Carus Lurious                    1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
  Liam Penderyn                    1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Markus Carlgren                  1   0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Rikard Kampl                     1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 16
Tommy West (NGD)                   6   6
Mila Sekera (SRB)                  1   1

Derek Dubrovnik (BRI)              7   6
Odell Bristol (NDA)                6   3


  Group 16                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Derek Dubrovnik                  1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
  Tommy West                       1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Mila Sekera                      1   0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Odell Bristol                    1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 17
Megan Elliott (NGD)                6   6
Mattias Doerwald (NEG)             0   0

Alex Sanders (TOB)                 7   6
Livnat bat Avram (JUD)             6   2


  Group 17                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Alex Sanders                     1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
  Megan Elliott                    1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Livnat bat Avram                 1   0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Mattias Doerwald                 1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 18
Felice Mareaux (NEG)               6   6
Jaxton Monty (QAD)                 4   1

Ofir bat Paz (JUD)                 6   7
Max Aswick (NGD)                   3   6


  Group 18                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Felice Mareaux                   1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
  Ofir bat Paz                     1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Jaxton Monty                     1   0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Max Aswick                       1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 19
Giorgio Irani (EFL)                7   6
Jane Smith (TOB)                   6   1

Aljaž Isaac (EFL)                  6   5   8
Yissakhar ben Ira (JUD)            4   7   6


  Group 19                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Giorgio Irani                    1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
2 Aljaž Isaac                      1   1  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Yissakhar ben Ira                1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Jane Smith                       1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 20
Jaimy Leger (EFL)                  6   6
Sanja Molanovic (MTJ)              4   2

Jason Gordon (BRI)                 7   6
Alexander Linip (MRC)              5   4


  Group 20                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jaimy Leger                      1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
  Jason Gordon                     1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Alexander Linip                  1   0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Sanja Molanovic                  1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 21
Bradyn Burn (EFL)                  6   7
Starlin Azocar (SRB)               3   5

Jill Clark (NGD)                   5   7   6
Ofra bat Dekel (JUD)               7   6   4


  Group 21                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Bradyn Burn                      1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
2 Jill Clark                       1   1  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Ofra bat Dekel                   1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Starlin Azocar                   1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 22
John Muir (SCH)                    2   6   5
Jeanna Hakim (NDA)                 6   1   7

Estela Fenton-Millington (EFL)     6   6
Louis Amada (CEN)                  1   3


  Group 22                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Estela Fenton-Millington         1   1  0    2   0  +2    3
2 Jeanna Hakim                     1   1  0    2   1  +1    3
3 John Muir                        1   0  1    1   2  −1    0
4 Louis Amada                      1   0  1    0   2  −2    0

Doubles Qualification Groups

Group 1
Andy Amada/Noah Damaris (CEN)                        6   6
Ivan Ivanovic Ivanov/Marika Kanepi-Vukovic (SRB)     3   1

Newton Gray/Thomas Greene (ETN)                      6   7
Catherine Kruminš/Adam Gory (SCH)                    1   5


  Group 1                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Andy Amada/Noah Damaris                            1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
  Newton Gray/Thomas Greene                          1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Catherine Kruminš/Adam Gory                        1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Ivan Ivanovic Ivanov/Marika Kanepi-Vukovic         1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 2
Kika Dovan/Neia Dovan (CEN)                          6   6
Dominic Ripaldi/Thierry Garzala (NEG)                4   1

Jill Clark/Melissa Herbert (NGD)                     6   6
Paul Chinra/Alex Sanders (TOB)                       3   1


  Group 2                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jill Clark/Melissa Herbert                         1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
  Kika Dovan/Neia Dovan                              1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Dominic Ripaldi/Thierry Garzala                    1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Paul Chinra/Alex Sanders                           1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 3
Jordan Bennet/Lucy Hockers (ETN)                     6   7
Jade Oreskovic/Tijana Mirkic (SRB)                   1   5

Livnat bat Avram/Arieh ben Daniyyel (JUD)            6   7
Sarah Johnson/Jane Smith (TOB)                       2   5


  Group 3                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jordan Bennet/Lucy Hockers                         1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
  Livnat bat Avram/Arieh ben Daniyyel                1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Jade Oreskovic/Tijana Mirkic                       1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Sarah Johnson/Jane Smith                           1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 4
Jack Parminus/Adam Stratesimov (MRC)                 4   6   6
Marco Vrient/Mattias Doerwald (NEG)                  6   2   3

Rikard Kampl/ Dominika Lisicki (MTJ)                 6   6   6
Felice Mareaux/Marla Gerard (NEG)                    7   1   4


  Group 4                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jack Parminus/Adam Stratesimov                     1   1  0  0    2   1  +1    3
  Rikard Kampl/ Dominika Lisicki                     1   1  0  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Felice Mareaux/Marla Gerard                        1   0  0  1    1   2  −1    0
  Marco Vrient/Mattias Doerwald                      1   0  0  1    1   2  −1    0

Group 5
Alma Semmes/Danjiella Zovic (NEG)                    3   3
Goran Petrovic/Ria Valentia (SRB)                    6   6

Rayford Wise/Dhaakir Prieto (EFL)                    6   6
Manasses Henryson/Itri Rider (NDA)                   1   3


  Group 5                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Goran Petrovic/Ria Valentia                        1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
  Rayford Wise/Dhaakir Prieto                        1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Alma Semmes/Danjiella Zovic                        1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Manasses Henryson/Itri Rider                       1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 6
Giorgio Irani/Clementina Travers (EFL)               6   6
Mattias Burges/ Aljaž Corluka (MTJ)                  3   2

Marisa Celeste Frieri/Gisela Stefanovic (SRB)        3   5
Yissakhar ben Ira/Gilad ben Yehudah (JUD)            6   7


  Group 6                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Giorgio Irani/Clementina Travers                   1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
  Yissakhar ben Ira/Gilad ben Yehudah                1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Marisa Celeste Frieri/Gisela Stefanovic            1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Mattias Burges/ Aljaž Corluka                      1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 7
Kiersten Bullock/Reina Jaber (EFL)                   6   7
Furaha Abraham/Brooke Géroux (NDA)                   2   6

Ricardo Toli/Lance Mance (BRI)                       6   6
Patrick Sintarnov/Harry Rymin (MRC)                  1   1


  Group 7                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Kiersten Bullock/Reina Jaber                       1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
  Ricardo Toli/Lance Mance                           1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Furaha Abraham/Brooke Géroux                       1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Patrick Sintarnov/Harry Rymin                      1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 8
Mark Southgate/Megan Elliott (NGD)                   6   6
Måns Zowzer/Timmy Yukon (QAD)                        4   2

Jake Cartson/Steven King (ETN)                       5   5
Jonum Korlovia/Johanna Korlovia (MRC)                7   7


  Group 8                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jonum Korlovia/Johanna Korlovia                    1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
  Mark Southgate/Megan Elliott                       1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Jake Cartson/Steven King                           1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Måns Zowzer/Timmy Yukon                            1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 9
Liam Penderyn/Harry Blackwood (NGD)                  6   2   6
Sabina Soca/ Dominik Augsbirjke (MTJ)                3   6   2

Ravid ben Yehoshua/Ofir bat Paz (JUD)                5   6   6
Rafferty Henri/Karissa Macy (NDA)                    7   3   4


  Group 9                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Liam Penderyn/Harry Blackwood                      1   1  0  0    2   1  +1    3
  Ravid ben Yehoshua/Ofir bat Paz                    1   1  0  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Rafferty Henri/Karissa Macy                        1   0  0  1    1   2  −1    0
  Sabina Soca/ Dominik Augsbirjke                    1   0  0  1    1   2  −1    0

Group 10
Phoebe Harvey/Berat Latif (EFL)                      6   6
Franklin Polymar/Yves Whitz (QAD)                    2   4

Jack McDonell/Alan Alexander (SCH)                   7   6
Terry Rèben/Icy Mellows (QAD)                        6   4


  Group 10                                         Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jack McDonell/Alan Alexander                       1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
  Phoebe Harvey/Berat Latif                          1   1  0  0    2   0  +2    3
3 Franklin Polymar/Yves Whitz                        1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0
  Terry Rèben/Icy Mellows                            1   0  0  1    0   2  −2    0

Group 11
Julian Slazic/ Lara Basic (MTJ)                      4   6  11
Glenn Benoit/Masuma Hodson (NDA)                     6   0   9

Laura Roshik/Wendy Noyek (MRC)                       6   2   6
Blair Forest/Donny Knight (QAD)                      3   6   1


  Group 11                                         Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Julian Slazic/ Lara Basic                          1   1  0  0    2   1  +1    3
  Laura Roshik/Wendy Noyek                           1   1  0  0    2   1  +1    3
3 Blair Forest/Donny Knight                          1   0  0  1    1   2  −1    0
  Glenn Benoit/Masuma Hodson                         1   0  0  1    1   2  −1    0

[Neu Engollon]

"Neu Engollon, and to our international viewers, thanks for turning your dial to Courtside Central on NETV Sports 19. I'm your host, Dom Toglani and I'm here with my wonderful, beautiful co-host, Lizbet Rittenhaus. We’re live at the Merseyshore Masters in Ethane.”

“'Turning your dial?' I don't know that there's many people left alive that would truly understand that quaint phrase, Dom."

"Eh, probably not, Liz. I'm from a bygone era, I guess, when I was a kid we actually had dials to crank on old televisions and remotes never consisted of more than 3 buttons. Can I rewind and say thanks for mashing your buttons to Courtside Central on NETV Sports 19?"

"What if it's voice activated? That's a thing now, ya know?"

"True, I've heard that...Or what if it's virtual reality and they just reached out and grabbed an icon box floating in the space before them?! Whoa!"

"Dom, I think we're getting a bit carried away here..."

"Right. However you found us, thanks for not tuning back out during that awful tangent."

"Ha ha!"

"So, Lizbet, getting down to business...Wow! Just, I don't know what to say. Good news or bad news, first?"

"These are my friends that I've played with, can I take the good news this time, Dom?"

"Sure. So...Doubles was just, well, about what we predicted last show...Just a crap show. This might be the death knell of Neu Engollian tennis doubles international competition. I seriously hope I'm being hyperbolic there, because today was just...just awful. Every NETC doubles team just got creamed bad. The worst showing was probably Dom Ripaldi and Thierry Garzala in their match against the Dovans from Ceni. Garzala has just suffered a bunch after losing Quiront as a steady doubles partner and today was a prime example. Complete communication breakdown with Ripaldi and it just breaks one's heart..."

"It certainly does, Dom. I'll tell you, these guys are very tight and great friends off the court, so why it can't translate back onto the court is one of the great mysteries of Neu Engollian tennis, and there are many for this year, but this is the biggest one. Both are strong players that have done well both on their own and with other partners."

"It definitely is a failing of NETC management to keep pairing them up. Hopefully that will be corrected. So, I could go into more, but I think I'll save it for after the break. Lizbet?"

"Accorzu...Okay, well, contrasting with the horrible doubles performances was the amazing showing for our singles players. Same players, and the matches were earlier, so there definitely is some merit to not having our players play two matches per day. Key, and it's something I've been saying for a long time and others have rallied for putting an end to. Anyway, singles. Smashing. What a showing for the Confederacy! Dani Zovic took on Rasmus Milik of Mercedini and the first set was incredible and to the wire, but Dani took it home with 7 games to Milik's two. By the second set, it was all over and the exhaustion had set in for Milik, who was making some elementary errors on the court and not quick enough to judge those line shots or not get drawn into some of Dani's famous lobs."

"Marco had a good showing."

"He did, Dom, and we were talking about him last show and how he and Felice are the strongest of this year's rookies. He proved it today with his solid win over Marchand of Ndaku. The most blistering, strongest win of the day was Dom Ripaldi taking on another Ndakene, Mikhayhu Lévesque, who didn’t win a single game in their brief match.”

“We saw Dom use a lot of jamming and a lot of passing shots sailing by Lévesque that really just seemed to drive the frustration level up there. It was quite a strategically played match to watch.”

“It certainly was, Dom, I was impressed by Dom...er, Ripaldi, not Mr. Toglani here.”

“Ha! I’m not impressive to you, Liz?”

“Only by your will to get us onto a sidetrack tangent, Dom. So, yes, anyway...A straight match for the history books.”

“We did have one bad loss in singles, and since I seem to be the bad news bearer, I’ll continue on with that job - Matti Doerwald, another usually strong player was on the other side of a straight match, not being able to notch one game in the match at all against Megan Elliot from New Gelderland.”

“Yeah, I winced. I’ve never seen Matti have such a bad day as he did today. First this match where he seemed to be stumbling, then going on to try to redeem himself in his doubles match with Marco versus Parminus and Stratesimov of Mercedini. They started out strong there, but ultimately, after a good first set, they couldn’t pull it off.”

“Yes, it was a disappointment, but they fought hard on that one. Then there was Felice Mareaux...Good news bearer?”

“Hehe. You take it, Dom.”

“Yay! Felice won her match against Jaxton Monty of Qasden. I admit I don’t know too much about Monty, but he seemed a decent enough player but she just shut him down and quick. She had his tricks pegged within the first couple games.”

“Truth to that. The only points Monty was scoring after those first couple games were off some lucky errors. So, we need to bring in those sponsors who help keep us on the air. We’ll be back after this break.”

“Keep your device, brain waves, what have you...tuned to Courtside Central here on NETV Sports 19!”

[Schottia]

Luke Pool had always considered himself to be a lucky player as opposed to a good one. He had been ranked in the top twenty for the second half of the season, but he knew he wasn't a world-beater. He was too slow - and that wasn't just down to his age - it was the way he'd always been. Coaches told him repeatedly that he was too flat footed, and waited too often for the ball to come to him. There was also something to do with his backhand, which was apparently a big no-no, but to be honest, he'd kind of forgotten what the problem was.

If truth were told, one season in the NSTT was enough for him. The rate the tournaments came about, the travelling, trying to keep pace with the younger players. It had all been a bigger step up from the Schottic domestic scene that he had anticipated, and while playing in places like Ceni, Electrum, and Krytenia had been a great experience, it had been a little rich for his blood. He would definitely be able to take something away from this year, and experiences like reaching the quarters of the Cenian Open or winning the ITT, would stay with him a lifetime. However, now, he was crashing out tournaments left right and centre. He knew he was tired, and worse, his opponents knew it too. It had come to a point where he was taking places from up and coming Schottic players, and that had to stop. For some tournaments, each federation were limited to just four entrants, and while his rank meant he could take his pick, he knew he wasn't worth the ink on the admission form.

Sat in his hotel room, he took another sip from his glass of wine. Luke wasn't much of a fan of wine, but he felt less guilty that than when he drank beer for some reason. It always ate away at him, the thought that he was spending Schottic taxpayers' money while sitting drinking. In his own internal dialogue he had continuously argued that it didn't affect his game, but looking back on it now, perhaps it had done. You just had to look at the guys at the top, Catherine for one. How often did she indulge? Then compare it to someone like Paul Quiront, total pisshead, got him self banned for shooting his mouth off when he still had a chance of making the tour finals. Luke wasn't as bad as that surely? Maybe he was a nice version of Quiront - a left-wing version? That was scary.

That was another thing, Luke had to have a think about what he was going to do after he retired. Maybe a route into politics could work for him too? Surely to God, he had to have more practical ideas than Quiront. Politics was perhaps a bit farfetched though, maybe trying to get into journalism, or work as a pundit for SBC. Perhaps even switching to doubles might serve as a transition between a playing and non-playing career. There had been plenty of players in the past who had made a name for themselves on the doubles tour, yet were no where near the top of the singles rankings. Luke knew he didn't have what it took to be a top doubles player: he didn't have the quick hands, or anticipation, or the net play, or the volleying... Okay, he didn't have much, but what he did have was a strong forehand, and a pretty good first serve. The two had gotten him out of a lot of trouble in the past, and he felt he could bring something to a doubles pairing.

Who to play with would be the next big question though. He didn't want someone who was too singles focused - as he had seen with Catherine Krumins and Adam Gory, that really wasn't working out for them. This was the biggest problem, for at the moment, players were prohibited from partnering players out with their own association. The only three Schottians worth their salt at doubles, Ken Gates, Rob Westfelt, and Anna Jones all had partners, and wouldn't through their rank away to accommodate him. This was definitely an issue, which required more thought, but right now he had to focus on how best to retire. Since he had more or less ruled out the possibility of going out with a bang, he had to, at the very least, go out with a bit of dignity.

[The Serbian Empire]

Serbian Tennis Guide
Serb on Serb Court Combat

The opening round for the Group 12 players had both of the Serbian players encounter each other on the court. Tijana Mirkic took to an early set lead of 6-4. However, her second set steadily unraveled with mental errors such as double faults, shanks, and even a penalty for racket abuse. The 7-5 set win for Gisela Stefanovic was quickly followed by a bagel of 6-0 which was utter decimation.

[House of Judah]

“Tough break against Wilkinson,” Anat ben Yonah sympathized with his doubles partner. “You’re one of the top one hundred and you fell to someone barely ranked.”

“I’ve done much the same before,” Hadar ben Ofer replied. “How do you think one becomes a top one hundred player? By only beating those who are three to four hundred?”

“You think Wilkinson has such a future?”

“He could. Anyone could. That’s the beauty of it all.” Hadar slid his card in the door and it unlocked. He swung the door open and the two tennis players walked inside. They both raised eyebrows at the paper they found on the end table. Hadar picked it up, his eyes quickly scanning it.

“What is it?” asked Anat.

“Nothing.” Hadar began folding the paper. Anat darted forward and grabbed the paper out of Hadar’s hand. “Anat!”

“Get out Jew or get dead,” Anat read off the page in magazine clipped letters. A blood dripping cross could be seen in the corner. “This is a death threat.”

“So it seems.”

“In our hotel room! Whoever sent this can get into our room!” Anat went over to the phone.

“Anat, what are you doing?”

“I’m calling hotel security and the police.”

“I don’t think that nec-”

“NO! It is necessary. These White Knights might be assholes but you’re the one who opened his mouth and now they are targeting us.”

“So what, do I just let that sort of thing sit there after we were attacked?”

“I’m not saying you were wrong, I’m saying that you decided to put yourself out there on this. Now we need to act like it is out there. Hello, front desk? Yes this Anat ben Yonah. My partner and I just returned to our room and found a death threat on the table. Yes it is aimed at us. I want hotel security and the police here right away. Thank you.” Anat looked back at Hadar. “We’re in this now. You’ve got my support. But you damn well better start working with me to keep us safe.”

“Understood.”

---

“Your highness?” asked the young woman as she stepped into the room.

“Word has reached our ears of some of our people in trouble. We are going to protect them." The man handed the tablet to the woman who quickly began scanning the information. "Call the Foreign Ministry, have them let the Ethanians know that I and some of my men will be taking leave and traveling to Merseyshore to watch the Masters. I’ll give them final numbers when I’ve figured them. I want press packets ready for the Ethanian newsies before we leave. I want every flashbulb in the country on me when we arrive.”

“A show of force, your highness?”

“And so very much more.”

[Ethane]

POLICE Launch Investigation after DEATH THREAT Against Visiting Tennis Players

The police have launched an investigation into the appearance of a note in the hotel room of visiting tennis players.

Earlier today, a note was discovered in Anat ben Yonah and Hadar ben Ofer's room at Riverdown Hotel, which is just 10 minutes away from the Merseyshore Multipurpose Sports Centre, where they are competing in the Merseyshore Masters tennis tournament, the second such tennis tournament in Ethane in recent weeks.

Just a few weeks ago, at the Ethanian Open in Lowes, these two Judean tennis players were brutally attacked by racists from the Lowes White Knights in a pub while they were trying to enjoy a drink in between competing at the nearby tennis complex. The attackers were arrested within a few days, and the Judeans were quickly moved to a secure location to protect them from further attacks.

However, the White Knights seem to have struck again, this time in Merseyshore, where they have a much smaller division of people. Considering Merseyshore has a Jewish population of around 5%, the White Knights do have a lot less support in these areas, but with the upcoming divisive election, the White Knights have become more pronounced, and violence, especially against people from other countries and not of native race, has increased at an exponential rate.

The 2 Judean tennis players were returning to their hotel room one night when they discovered a note on the table in their room. The note read 'Get out Jew or get dead' and a red cross, marked with blood, was stamped in the corner of the paper, confirming it originated from the White Knights. The 2 Judean players immediately called hotel security, and extra security has been put in place to guard them and their room while the police discuss further plans to take them to a more secure location, if they so wish, for the remainder of their stay in Ethane.

Meanwhile, the police are launching an official investigation into the White Knights as a group, as well as into the criminal threat from one of their members, in an attempt to stamp out these hate crimes and racist attacks and threats which have increased due to the election. The police will be publishing a report on the incident and the White Knights as soon as their investigation is complete, which they estimate will take between 1 and 3 months, depending on other circumstances.

Chief Constable Roberts says that 'these sorts of threats and attacks will not be tolerated in Ethane. This is racist and horrific behaviour, especially considering the proud, diverse nature of our nation, and we will put all our efforts in to stamping out those radicals and radical groups such as the White Knights who seek to undermine our national values.'

[Mattijana]

Pulnik Academy, Puljanska Blak, Central-Southern Mattijana

Since her somewhat surprising call-up to the Ethanian Open, Maria Julenic had been keeping a much closer eye on events in the NSTT tour. As a result, it didn't come as a surprise when the typically curt head of tennis, Martin Stefanovic, knocked on the door of her English Class.
Unfortunately, her English teacher had not been keeping such an attentive view of the international tennis schedule and was in typically irate mood as Martin asked yet again to 'borrow' Maria for 10 or 15 minutes.
"During my lesson? Again? Can't you go and bother someone else?"
Martin was not in the mood for dealing with such a trivial matter.
"It's important" he grunted by way of an excuse.
As much as the English teacher was annoyed with things, dabbling with 'important' matters was a step beyond her authority.
"Fine. Just this once. But no more."
Maria slipped on her jacket and stepped outside, fairly confident that this would not be the last time that she would be hauled out of class against her English teacher's will.

Martin sighed as he shut the door, before walking sharply towards the meeting rooms, leaving Maria to shuffle along awkwardly behind. Fortunately, that gave Maria the chance to make her uniform slightly more presentable before Martin went as bezerk as he could get about that.
Unsurprisingly, Alex Dimitrov, the assistant head of Mattijanan tennis was sitting in an armchair on the other side of a coffee table. What was slightly more surprising is that Sami Dominikanov was sitting opposite him.
Things had been slightly awkward since the tournament in Ethane, which Sami had not been picked for in favour of her. Maria knew that more players than usual would be going to Ethane, but she had not planned for the eventuality that one of them could be Sami. Two weeks with him would not be enjoyable. Neither would the next two minutes.

"Hello Maria." Greeted Alex.
"Good morning." Maria tried not to sound too cheerful.
"Right. I believe we can start now. I know you two keep yourselves well informed, so you'll probably know that there's a tournament coming up in Ethane. It's a Tier One, so there's more places available. A couple of our players are specialising in doubles and me included, there's been a couple of retirements, so should you accept of course, I can offer you both a space."
By law, Maria and Sami had to give consent in order to compete. But Marko's face said accept.
"Yeah, that would be great, thank you" said Maria.
Sami took his time. The stare from Marko became more intense.
"Yes. Yes, thank you." He said, finally.
"Great. You'll both have a fairly intensive training schedule over the next couple of weeks and you'll have to catch up with the schoolwork. Also, as you probably know, our media got in a bit of a dodgy spot in the last tournament, so I want you to keep a low profile and you know nothing about any letters, leaks or skullduggery. Is that understood?"
"Both players knew to take this bit seriously. They nodded...seriously."
"Excellent. See you next week. I'll let you get back to class."
"Thank you." Said Maria. Sami was quieter.
Maria stepped out into the corridor, loosened her tie and turned around. Sami almost clattered into the back of her.

[Ndaku]

TFG|The Federated Guardian
Sports || Health || Technology || Space || Domestic Politics || International Politics || Entertainment || World || Ndaku

Wednesday 21 December 2110

---

Ndakene Tennis Athletes React to Notes of Hate

MERSEYSHORE - On Wednesday early morning, 2 Judean tennis players discovered death threats from "The White Knights" because they are Jewish. This incident sparked quite a controversy especially to the Ethanian people but also to Ndakene tennis fans and Ndakenes in general. Chairman of NDISA (Ndakene Domestic and International Sports Association) Ekeye Fontaine spoke with TFG on Wednesday afternoon, expressing her disgust to those who sent the death threats: "I am truly disgusted and appalled by these people. Anti-semitic beliefs are an ancient thing and, really, religious hate and intolerance are an outdated belief. I'm very thankful that authorities were able to get onto the situation right away."

Jeanna Hakim's interview with TFG Wednesday

The 21-year-old powerhouse of a tennis player Lou Herriot commented on Tweeter noon on Wednesday "C'est une telle honte de voir ce genre de haine envers des gens pieux innocents. Ce truc doit cesser" (It's such a shame to see this sort of hate towards innocent pious people. This stuff needs to stop).

Another rising tennis star in Ndaku Dani Mateus also expressed her thought on the incident and mentioned that the 2 Judeans are one of the most talented and motivated players she's ever met in her career. Definitely, a pleasure to be able to hit and socialize with them every now and then; DM.

Racism in Ethane has been a recent uproar in Ethane, especially by the "White Knights", who attacked the said Judean tennis players Anat ben Yonah and Hadar ben Ofer. Jeanna Hakim, a Muslim Ndakene tennis player, too expressed her distraughtness towards these so-called "White Knights", saying that as a peaceful and rational Muslim, it's important to respect those who are in different beliefs than yours. However, justice has to be brought against those who advocate violence and death to those of opposing beliefs, and in this case, she believes those who refer to themselves as members of the "White Knights" should be detained and jailed for public indecency.

Ndakenes, as many people already know, in general, are a bunch of humanists who do not tolerate non-human propaganda or non-humans themselves. Although it is quite the controversial point in human/non-human debates, Ndakenes, and other allied human nations are caught in a contradiction when it comes to hate against another kind. It's ignored by the Ndakene government if nonhumans are murdered within Ndakene territory, for example, and the majority of Ndakenes is okay with it.

The nonhuman/human rights topic remains a controversial debate among allied human nations, and the investigation continues as the Merseyshore tennis tournament continues. Stay tuned with TFG and download our updated app on your portable hologram to keep updated on current events!

---

Related Articles

Sports: NPL champions Aramoor City struggle against international clubs
Weather: Heavy rainfall continue in West Madesu, causing overflooded rivers to continue overflooding
Int'l Trade: The New Unitary State purchases Ndakene Superjumbo airliners for modest prices

[Ethane]

Cutoff.

---

Singles Qualification Groups MD2

Group 1
Sabina Soca (MTJ)                  6   1   3
Jade Oreskovic (SRB)               3   6   6

Stephanie Brown (NGD)              6   3
Laura Roshik (MRC)                 7   6


  Group 1                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jade Oreskovic                   2   2  0    4   1  +3    6
2 Sabina Soca                      2   1  1    3   2  +1    3
3 Laura Roshik                     2   1  1    2   2   0    3
4 Stephanie Brown                  2   0  2    0   4  −4    0

Group 2
Rasmus Milik (MRC)                 7   2   1
Gilad ben Yehudah (JUD)            6   6   6

Danjiella Zovic (NEG)              4   3
Alastair Breaker (ETN)             6   6


  Group 2                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Gilad ben Yehudah                2   2  0    4   2  +2    6
2 Alastair Breaker                 2   1  1    3   2  +1    3
3 Danjiella Zovic                  2   1  1    2   2   0    3
4 Rasmus Milik                     2   0  2    1   4  −3    0

Group 3
Sami Dominikanov (MTJ)             6   4   3
Kasandra Perrier (EFL)             3   6   6

Thomas Hutchon (ETN)               6   6
Marisa Celeste Frieri (SRB)        2   1


  Group 3                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Thomas Hutchon                   2   2  0    4   0  +4    6
2 Marisa Celeste Frieri            2   1  1    2   3  −1    3
3 Kasandra Perrier                 2   1  1    3   3   0    3
4 Sami Dominikanov                 2   0  2    1   4  −3    0

Group 4
Tony Tuk (QAD)                     4   5
Marco Vrient (NEG)                 6   7

Thierry Garzala (NEG)              4   6   6
Linwood Marchand (NDA)             6   2   4


  Group 4                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Marco Vrient                     2   2  0    4   0  +4    6
2 Thierry Garzala                  2   2  0    4   1  +3    6
3 Linwood Marchand                 2   0  2    1   4  −3    0
4 Tony Tuk                         2   0  2    0   4  −4    0

Group 5
Andrea Palmannerson (MRC)          3   3
Elizabeth Quehall (BRI)            6   6

Halaeo DiGaldi (QAD)               6   7
Keeley Sinai (EFL)                 3   6


  Group 5                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Halaeo DiGaldi                   2   2  0    4   0  +4    6
2 Keeley Sinai                     2   1  1    2   2   0    3
3 Elizabeth Quehall                2   1  1    2   2   0    3
4 Andrea Palmannerson              2   0  2    0   4  −4    0

Group 6
Icy Mellows (QAD)                  2   6   7
Dani Mateus (NDA)                  6   2   5

Leo Garry (BRI)                    5   3
Mattias Burges (MTJ)               7   6


  Group 6                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Mattias Burges                   2   1  1    3   2  +1    3
2 Dani Mateus                      2   1  1    3   3   0    3
  Leo Garry                        2   1  1    2   2   0    3
4 Icy Mellows                      2   1  1    2   3  −1    3

Group 7
Lou Herriot (NDA)                  3   6
Dominika Lisicki (MTJ)             6   7

Cracik Almeronovic (MRC)           6   6
Sukaina Yunan (EFL)                1   1


  Group 7                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Cracik Almeronovic               2   2  0    4   0  +4    6
2 Sukaina Yunan                    2   1  1    2   3  −1    3
3 Dominika Lisicki                 2   1  1    3   2  +1    3
4 Lou Herriot                      2   0  2    0   4  −4    0

Group 8
Maritania Cross (NDA)              6   3   2
Paisley Brazzos (QAD)              1   6   6

Hollie Gratton (ETN)               6   6
Samuel Hartnell (ETN)              4   4


  Group 8                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Hollie Gratton                   2   2  0    4   1  +3    6
2 Paisley Brazzos                  2   2  0    4   2  +2    6
3 Maritania Cross                  2   0  2    2   4  −2    0
4 Samuel Hartnell                  2   0  2    1   4  −3    0

Group 9
Edmund Wilkinson (ETN)             6   6   6
Mayeso Kayden (NDA)                2   7   8

Hadar ben Ofer (JUD)               5   6   6
Feyrord Poniac (QAD)               7   2   2


  Group 9                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Mayeso Kayden                    2   2  0    4   2  +2    6
2 Edmund Wilkinson                 2   1  1    3   2  +1    3
3 Hadar ben Ofer                   2   1  1    2   3  −1    3
4 Feyrord Poniac                   2   0  2    2   4  −2    0

Group 10
Mikhayhu Lévesque (NDA)            3   4
Sarah Johnson (TOB)                6   6

Dominic Ripaldi (NEG)              5   6   6
Paul Chinra (TOB)                  7   4   2


  Group 10                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Dominic Ripaldi                  2   2  0    4   1  +3    6
  Sarah Johnson                    2   2  0    4   1  +3    6
3 Paul Chinra                      2   0  2    2   4  −2    0
4 Mikhayhu Lévesque                2   0  2    0   4  −4    0

Group 11
Molly Rhonic (MRC)                 5   7   1
Arieh ben Daniyyel (JUD)           7   6   6

Adam Gory (SCH)                    4   6   6
Charlotte Little (ETN)             6   4   8


  Group 11                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Charlotte Little                 2   2  0    4   2  +2    6
2 Adam Gory                        2   1  1    3   2  +1    3
3 Arieh ben Daniyyel               2   1  1    3   3   0    3
4 Molly Rhonic                     2   0  2    1   4  −3    0

Group 12
Yves Whitz (QAD)                   1   4
Tijana Mirkic (SRB)                6   6

Mark Southgate (NGD)               6   5   6
Gisela Stefanovic (SRB)            2   7   2


  Group 12                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Mark Southgate                   2   2  0    4   1  +3    6
2 Gisela Stefanovic                2   1  1    3   3   0    3
3 Tijana Mirkic                    2   1  1    3   2  +1    3
4 Yves Whitz                       2   0  2    0   4  −4    0

Group 13
Goran Petrovic (SRB)               3   6   7
Ricardo Toli (BRI)                 6   2   5

Mei Jokek (MRC)                    6   6   4
Aljaž Corluka (MTJ)                7   4   6


  Group 13                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Aljaž Corluka                    2   2  0    4   1  +3    6
2 Mei Jokek                        2   1  1    3   3   0    3
3 Goran Petrovic                   2   1  1    3   3   0    3
4 Ricardo Toli                     2   0  2    1   4  −3    0

Group 14
Maria Julenic (MTJ)                2   5
Vladimir Ivanovic Ivanov (SRB)     6   7

Ty Kanelious (QAD)                 3   6   1
Jim Cowie (SCH)                    6   4   6


  Group 14                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jim Cowie                        2   2  0    4   2  +2    6
2 Ty Kanelious                     2   1  1    3   2  +1    3
  Vladimir Ivanovic Ivanov         2   1  1    3   2  +1    3
4 Maria Julenic                    2   0  2    0   4  −4    0

Group 15
Markus Carlgren (MRC)              3   2
Rikard Kampl (MTJ)                 6   6

Liam Penderyn (NGD)                6   6
Carus Lurious (SCH)                2   2


  Group 15                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Liam Penderyn                    2   2  0    4   0  +4    6
2 Carus Lurious                    2   1  1    2   2   0    3
3 Rikard Kampl                     2   1  1    2   2   0    3
4 Markus Carlgren                  2   0  2    0   4  −4    0

Group 16
Mila Sekera (SRB)                  1   4
Odell Bristol (NDA)                6   6

Tommy West (NGD)                   4   4
Derek Dubrovnik (BRI)              6   6


  Group 16                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Derek Dubrovnik                  2   2  0    4   0  +4    6
2 Odell Bristol                    2   1  1    2   2   0    3
  Tommy West                       2   1  1    2   2   0    3
4 Mila Sekera                      2   0  2    0   4  −4    0

Group 17
Mattias Doerwald (NEG)             6   6
Livnat bat Avram (JUD)             4   4

Megan Elliott (NGD)                6   7
Alex Sanders (TOB)                 4   5


  Group 17                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Megan Elliott                    2   2  0    4   0  +4    6
2 Alex Sanders                     2   1  1    2   2   0    3
  Mattias Doerwald                 2   1  1    2   2   0    3
4 Livnat bat Avram                 2   0  2    0   4  −4    0

Group 18
Jaxton Monty (QAD)                 6   3   1
Max Aswick (NGD)                   0   6   6

Felice Mareaux (NEG)               6   1   7
Ofir bat Paz (JUD)                 2   6   5


  Group 18                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Felice Mareaux                   2   2  0    4   1  +3    6
2 Ofir bat Paz                     2   1  1    3   2  +1    3
3 Max Aswick                       2   1  1    2   3  −1    3
4 Jaxton Monty                     2   0  2    1   4  −3    0

Group 19
Jane Smith (TOB)                   7   6
Yissakhar ben Ira (JUD)            5   2

Giorgio Irani (EFL)                6   6
Aljaž Isaac (EFL)                  3   1


  Group 19                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Giorgio Irani                    2   2  0    4   0  +4    6
2 Jane Smith                       2   1  1    2   2   0    3
3 Aljaž Isaac                      2   1  1    2   3  −1    3
4 Yissakhar ben Ira                2   0  2    1   4  −3    0

Group 20
Sanja Molanovic (MTJ)              6   3   7
Alexander Linip (MRC)              4   6   9

Jaimy Leger (EFL)                  6   7
Jason Gordon (BRI)                 1   5


  Group 20                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jaimy Leger                      2   2  0    4   0  +4    6
2 Jason Gordon                     2   1  1    2   2   0    3
3 Alexander Linip                  2   1  1    2   3  −1    3
4 Sanja Molanovic                  2   0  2    1   4  −3    0

Group 21
Starlin Azocar (SRB)               6   7
Ofra bat Dekel (JUD)               3   5

Bradyn Burn (EFL)                  6   4   4
Jill Clark (NGD)                   2   6   6


  Group 21                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jill Clark                       2   2  0    4   2  +2    6
2 Bradyn Burn                      2   1  1    3   2  +1    3
3 Starlin Azocar                   2   1  1    2   2   0    3
4 Ofra bat Dekel                   2   0  2    1   4  −3    0

Group 22
Jeanna Hakim (NDA)                 3   6   4
Louis Amada (CEN)                  6   2   6

John Muir (SCH)                    3   6   9
Estela Fenton-Millington (EFL)     6   4   7


  Group 22                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Estela Fenton-Millington         2   1  1    3   2  +1    3
2 Jeanna Hakim                     2   1  1    3   3   0    3
3 John Muir                        2   1  1    3   3   0    3
4 Louis Amada                      2   1  1    2   3  −1    3

Doubles Qualification Groups MD2

Group 1
Ivan Ivanovic Ivanov/Marika Kanepi-Vukovic (SRB)     6   0   4
Catherine Kruminš/Adam Gory (SCH)                    2   6   6

Andy Amada/Noah Damaris (CEN)                        7   6
Newton Gray/Thomas Greene (ETN)                      6   4


  Group 1                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Andy Amada/Noah Damaris                            2   2  0  0    4   0  +4    6
2 Newton Gray/Thomas Greene                          2   1  0  1    2   2   0    3
3 Catherine Kruminš/Adam Gory                        2   1  0  1    2   3  −1    3
4 Ivan Ivanovic Ivanov/Marika Kanepi-Vukovic         2   0  0  2    1   4  −3    0

Group 2
Dominic Ripaldi/Thierry Garzala (NEG)                0   2
Paul Chinra/Alex Sanders (TOB)                       6   6

Kika Dovan/Neia Dovan (CEN)                          7   5   3
Jill Clark/Melissa Herbert (NGD)                     5   7   6


  Group 2                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jill Clark/Melissa Herbert                         2   2  0  0    4   1  +3    6
2 Kika Dovan/Neia Dovan                              2   1  0  1    3   2  +1    3
3 Paul Chinra/Alex Sanders                           2   1  0  1    2   2   0    3
4 Dominic Ripaldi/Thierry Garzala                    2   0  0  2    0   4  −4    0

Group 3
Jade Oreskovic/Tijana Mirkic (SRB)                   1   6
Sarah Johnson/Jane Smith (TOB)                       6   7

Jordan Bennet/Lucy Hockers (ETN)                     2   6   6
Livnat bat Avram/Arieh ben Daniyyel (JUD)            6   4   1


  Group 3                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jordan Bennet/Lucy Hockers                         2   2  0  0    4   1  +3    6
2 Livnat bat Avram/Arieh ben Daniyyel                2   1  0  1    3   2  +1    3
3 Sarah Johnson/Jane Smith                           2   1  0  1    2   2   0    3
4 Jade Oreskovic/Tijana Mirkic                       2   0  0  2    0   4  −4    0

Group 4
Marco Vrient/Mattias Doerwald (NEG)                  5   6   6
Felice Mareaux/Marla Gerard (NEG)                    7   4   4

Jack Parminus/Adam Stratesimov (MRC)                 7   1   4
Rikard Kampl/ Dominika Lisicki (MTJ)                 6   6   6


  Group 4                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Rikard Kampl/ Dominika Lisicki                     2   2  0  0    4   2  +2    6
2 Jack Parminus/Adam Stratesimov                     2   1  0  1    3   3   0    3
3 Marco Vrient/Mattias Doerwald                      2   1  0  1    3   3   0    3
4 Felice Mareaux/Marla Gerard                        2   0  0  2    2   4  −2    0

Group 5
Goran Petrovic/Ria Valentia (SRB)                    2   6   3
Manasses Henryson/Itri Rider (NDA)                   6   3   6

Alma Semmes/Danjiella Zovic (NEG)                    3   5
Rayford Wise/Dhaakir Prieto (EFL)                    6   7


  Group 5                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Rayford Wise/Dhaakir Prieto                        2   2  0  0    4   0  +4    6
2 Manasses Henryson/Itri Rider                       2   1  0  1    2   3  −1    3
3 Goran Petrovic/Ria Valentia                        2   1  0  1    3   2  +1    3
4 Alma Semmes/Danjiella Zovic                        2   0  0  2    0   4  −4    0

Group 6
Mattias Burges/ Aljaž Corluka (MTJ)                  6   4   6
Yissakhar ben Ira/Gilad ben Yehudah (JUD)            0   6   2

Giorgio Irani/Clementina Travers (EFL)               6   3   1
Marisa Celeste Frieri/Gisela Stefanovic (SRB)        1   6   6


  Group 6                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Giorgio Irani/Clementina Travers                   2   1  0  1    3   2  +1    3
  Yissakhar ben Ira/Gilad ben Yehudah                2   1  0  1    3   2  +1    3
3 Marisa Celeste Frieri/Gisela Stefanovic            2   1  0  1    2   3  −1    3
  Mattias Burges/ Aljaž Corluka                      2   1  0  1    2   3  −1    3

Group 7
Furaha Abraham/Brooke Géroux (NDA)                   2   2
Patrick Sintarnov/Harry Rymin (MRC)                  6   6

Kiersten Bullock/Reina Jaber (EFL)                   6   4   6
Ricardo Toli/Lance Mance (BRI)                       0   6   3


  Group 7                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Kiersten Bullock/Reina Jaber                       2   2  0  0    4   1  +3    6
2 Ricardo Toli/Lance Mance                           2   1  0  1    3   2  +1    3
3 Patrick Sintarnov/Harry Rymin                      2   1  0  1    2   2   0    3
4 Furaha Abraham/Brooke Géroux                       2   0  0  2    0   4  −4    0

Group 8
Måns Zowzer/Timmy Yukon (QAD)                        4   3
Jonum Korlovia/Johanna Korlovia (MRC)                6   6

Mark Southgate/Megan Elliott (NGD)                   3   6   6
Jake Cartson/Steven King (ETN)                       6   1   4


  Group 8                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jonum Korlovia/Johanna Korlovia                    2   2  0  0    4   0  +4    6
2 Mark Southgate/Megan Elliott                       2   2  0  0    4   1  +3    6
3 Jake Cartson/Steven King                           2   0  0  2    1   4  −3    0
4 Måns Zowzer/Timmy Yukon                            2   0  0  2    0   4  −4    0

Group 9
Sabina Soca/ Dominik Augsbirjke (MTJ)                2   1
Rafferty Henri/Karissa Macy (NDA)                    6   6

Liam Penderyn/Harry Blackwood (NGD)                  4   2
Ravid ben Yehoshua/Ofir bat Paz (JUD)                6   6


  Group 9                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Ravid ben Yehoshua/Ofir bat Paz                    2   2  0  0    4   1  +3    6
2 Rafferty Henri/Karissa Macy                        2   1  0  1    3   2  +1    3
3 Liam Penderyn/Harry Blackwood                      2   1  0  1    2   3  −1    3
4 Sabina Soca/ Dominik Augsbirjke                    2   0  0  2    1   4  −3    0

Group 10
Franklin Polymar/Yves Whitz (QAD)                    2   2
Terry Rèben/Icy Mellows (QAD)                        6   6

Phoebe Harvey/Berat Latif (EFL)                      6   2   6
Jack McDonell/Alan Alexander (SCH)                   4   6   1


  Group 10                                         Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Phoebe Harvey/Berat Latif                          2   2  0  0    4   1  +3    6
2 Jack McDonell/Alan Alexander                       2   1  0  1    3   2  +1    3
3 Terry Rèben/Icy Mellows                            2   1  0  1    2   2   0    3
4 Franklin Polymar/Yves Whitz                        2   0  0  2    0   4  −4    0

Group 11
Glenn Benoit/Masuma Hodson (NDA)                     0   3
Blair Forest/Donny Knight (QAD)                      6   6

Julian Slazic/ Lara Basic (MTJ)                      6   1   6
Laura Roshik/Wendy Noyek (MRC)                       4   6   4


  Group 11                                         Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Julian Slazic/ Lara Basic                          2   2  0  0    4   2  +2    6
2 Laura Roshik/Wendy Noyek                           2   1  0  1    3   3   0    3
3 Blair Forest/Donny Knight                          2   1  0  1    3   2  +1    3
4 Glenn Benoit/Masuma Hodson                         2   0  0  2    1   4  −3    0

[Schottia]

Luke Pool walked into the not particularly crowded pressroom, a bundle of raggedy notes in his hands. He didn't normally get nervous playing tennis, but for some reason he was shaking. Perhaps it were to do with the fact that he had never grabbed any of the headlines in his career, and had always slipped by unseen on the world stage. Ironically, it would be his retirement which put him onto the back pages of the Schottic newspapers for the first time. The scene in front of him was set; the microphones were out, and a smattering of junior journalists were gathered. Not exactly with bated breath, the Schottic media sat waiting to hear what he had to say.

"First of all I'd like to take my time to thank all my friends in the media, and at the STF for coming along here at such short notice. It has been an incredible career, full of ups and downs - but mostly downs - and even a few notable in-betweens. I've had some amazing support over the years, whether it was in Schottia, at the Olympics, or latterly on the NSTT. Wherever I've gone, the fans have followed me, and for that I'm eternally grateful.

The decision to retire was not an easy one to make, but it is one that I have arrived at after much thought and consideration. Since the Rushmore Swing, back at the start of the summer, I had the feeling that the time was right - but to be honest, international tennis has been a ride I didn't want to get off. I've been so fortunate to have the experience that in had during the Cenian Open, playing in the quarterfinal, and being part of the ITT win will be something that stays with me for sure. The chance to play alongside Cathy, Ken, and Rob was just this amazing honour and privilege, and I want to thank the three of you for what did. For a player already over the hill, who should be starting to wind things down - the idea that I could be part of the side which won the World Cup of tennis was just... unbelievable.

It some ways, it might have been the easier decision to keep going, to play for another season, but I know I'm going backwards. I personally feel blessed to be playing alongside such great player in the Schottic team - not just Cathy, Jill, and Liz, but the guys who too often slip under the radar. I also know that very soon I'm not going to be able to keep up to their standard, and they should be taking the STF places, climbing up through the ranks, and challenging for the slams.

There are players in the STF who are good enough to be world number one, who will win the top tournaments, and that is what I look forward to most. The days of me being the only Schottic player out there are long gone, but if I have helped to inspire someone in anyway, then that has been the greatest privilege of all. It is with deepest pride, and the most steadfast confidence that I pass on the baton to these guys, and the ones still to come through.

I won't be disappearing entirely. I have a few commitments, which I still plan to fulfil, and I can also announce that I am looking to turn my attentions to doubles at some point. However, for the most part, I will no longer be at the sharp end off tennis. That goes for vast majority of singles tournaments, as well as my place on the ITT team.

Again, I want to thank everyone here, all the loyal supporters back home, and everyone at the NSTT who have been like a family to be over the last few years. This year in particular has been way more that I ever expected. I can remember joking with Rob and Ken at the start of the season, saying that if I got into the top fifty then I could retire a happy man. So... it looks like I can indeed retire with a smile on my face. I'm not going to take any questions for the time being, however I will do so at the press conferences after my matches here in Merseyshore. Thank you again, goodbye."

There were a few questions yelled in his direction, but he kept his head down and headed from the chamber. He had never been a sentimental man, and he wasn't about to start crying now. No one seemed to be overly shocked though. Luke had never been the most committed player, and at thirty-one, it was probably obvious that he was beginning to struggle. With the Merseyshore Masters likely to be the last tournament of the year - and taking into account the way he was playing at them moment - there was every chance that his next match would be an very emotional farewell.

[Neu Engollon]

---

“Good evening, Neu Engollon, I’m Mercinda Denéux, and I want to thank you for tuning in to this special broadcast event on NETV News 4. I realize we compete with a lot of online media and other outlets these days and so we say thank you for being loyal viewers. We’re live in the lobby of the Collections Hotel in downtown Albertville waiting for Mayor Elect of Albertville, Paul Quiront, to step up to the podium and make his acceptance speech. You might remark that national news doesn’t normally cover a municipal election, and you would be right. But the campaign over the last few weeks was anything but normal or hardly without controversy. I think most people have been aware of Paul Quiront’s antics in front of the camera, his social media posts and his actions to undermine political foes. Many have said that we’re seeing a definite dark turn in Neu Engollian politics and fear what may come for the Federal elections next year.

Just moments before, we have confirmation from insiders in the Quiront campaign that he took a call from Mayor Silvia Bascombe. We suspect it was a concession call, as the poll numbers are 97% reported now, and it looks pretty grim for Bascombe. Quiront seems to have taken this election with a near 60% margin...Oh, here he comes...”

“Good evening, Albertville. I want to thank everyone for being here and for all of your support. It’s been a lively campaign for sure, as I think you’ll all agree. I’d like to say first of all, that I’d like to thank Mayor Bascombe for her gracious phone call earlier. She did indeed concede the election to me, and it’s nice to know we don’t need to go through any kind of nasty recount. All that stuff just gets passed down to the taxpayers anyway. I think it’s pretty clear that the constituents have spoken here and that they want me to take the seat and steer this city in the right direction.

All due respect to Silvia, but it’s time that the City take the path that it’s meant to take and become a powerhouse in the Confederacy. It’s stagnated long enough. It’s the fourth largest city in the nation, and coming behind Burgunden, that’s really saying something. So, I think I’ve gone on long enough during debates and previous announcements. I’ll open up the floor to questions now. Yes?”

“Mayor Elect Quiront, first of all, congratulations on your win…”

“Thank you.”

“I’d like to ask if you feel that you got unnecessarily base and vulgar during the campaign, as has been alleged often lately, and also, if you were to have run a cleaner campaign, do you feel that you would still be standing here today victorious?”

“Absolutely. Look, I told it how it was. I gave truth to the voters and that’s what they wanted. The veneer was ripped down, and that’s never a pleasant thing while the dust is still settling, right? Someone’s gonna get their panties up in a bind about it. I can’t help that. We can’t make it fluffy clouds and candy shops for everybody when yer exposing the truth. That’s just how it is.”

“How are business relations going to be in the city now that you will be taking charge? Is there going to be a lot more privatization as rumored? You have a lot of ties to large corporate interests, how much influence is that going to have on your decisions? Also, are you going to uphold your contracts with corporate sponsorships and promotions that carried over from your professional tennis career?”

“I don’t have time to fulfill those corporate sponsorships, and they know that. I have a responsibility and duties to uphold in office now. My legal team is handling any contracts and leftover responsibilities I had to them. Yes, you?”

“But, what about my other quest…”

“Next.”

“Schottia’s Luke Pool just announced his retirement from the professional NSTT circuit. Do you have any advice for him? Also, do you have any regrets about retiring from the NETC?”

“Ah, a soft ball question. Hehe. I didn't hear about Pool. Luke Pool is a straight shooter and I think he’ll do great at whatever and wherever he moves on...I think for obvious reasons, I don’t have all great memories of the NETC and the pro tennis circuit, although it wasn’t all downers. As I’ve stated before, I think that both the NETC and NSTT are bloated, corrupt organizations and that international pro tennis as its run now is just completely bankrupt. They all feed off and cannibalize each other...The NSTT screwed over the NETC, which in turn screwed over the Confederacy players...It’s a never ending mess. Just like domestic politics here, so I’ll be cleaning up house here in Albertville, maybe in Rhone, and maybe, possibly...Federally, who knows?... And hopefully, one day, I’ll be in a position to clean up international tennis and all sports from all these parasites that feed off the athletes who just want to compete. Okay, that’s enough of that. Next?”

[The Acceptance speech went on for another 24 minutes. Paul Quiront's administration has now officially taken over City Hall in Albertville, Rhone Canton, Neu Engollon, but skipped over many of the transition sessions and briefings from both the Bascombe outgoing administration and top municipal and Federal law enforcement officials. While corporate headquarters are planned for inside the city area, blue collar level job loss to outside the city and canton is still at an all time high and inflation continues unabated.]

[Ethane]

To Hadar ben Ofer and Anat ben Yonah,

All of us at the Ethanian Tennis Union would like to apologise for the treatment you have received from the Ethanese public. It is utterly disgraceful that these threats and attacks are taking place, and it is far from representative of our nation, and our people.

We are just as outraged with the danger posed to you and your lives by these threats by the White Knights, stemming back to the attack in Lowes, and now this threat, with the note marked with actual blood. We take this threat very seriously, and we are looking at ways to increase security for you and protect you, while the threat remains.

As you can understand, the police are undertaking an investigation into this matter, and into the White Knights organisation. We understand that this investigation will not be complete in the near future, and you remain at danger until this issue is dealt with, which will not be immediate.

Therefore, we will be posting a 4 man security squad to your Judean players, as well as the Eastfield Lodge players, and other players who may be at risk from threat or attack, and we will be taking every measure possible to guarantee your security. Security checks at the venue have also been stepped up, with recent reports of the White Knights planning on planting a bomb in the venue leading to a heightened risk level.

We understand if you wish to pull out of the tournament at this moment, and we will accept any resignation from the tournament for those players who wish to return home early because of the present threat. However, we can also offer a higher security area for you to be accomodated in for the remainder of this tournament if you may so wish. However, we can also understand if you wish to stay at the hotel you are currently accomodated in, and we can provide the security officials for your team if you may so wish for the remainder of the tournament, rather than just until we find you higher security accomodation.

Again, we apologise for the threat present to you and your lives, and we are working with the government to reduce volatility in the nation so the stability of Ethane's sports are not put at risk.

Yours sincerely,

Gary Underwood
Deputy Ambassador for the Ethanian Tennis Union

[House of Judah]

“Your highness, we’ve rented the top few stories of the hotel,” said the Royal guardsmen. “Access to those stories are going to be key card only. You’re in the penthouse of course with myself and a few of my men in this room here. That’s for command and close security purposes. The next story down will be the tennis players and your civilian staff and below them the rest of my personnel and your subordinates. We’re not going to have a great deal of coverage, though the police seem willing to work with us.”

“That’s fine. Keep up the good work.”

---

The airport’s manager looked nervously at the man. His suit was well tailored, close fitting and yet gave him complete range of motion. The man nodded and turned to the manager.

“This will do.” He opened his sat phone and quickly dialed a number. “Sphinx, tarmac. Tarmac is a go.”

---

“Well it’s all in the press packet I sent you,” the press secretary was heard to say on the phone. “Well I’m the one who assembled it, so yes it should be good information. Okay I see what the confusion was. The rank is Seren and… yes the most direct translation would be ‘captain’ but the rank is more equivalent of a colonel. I’m glad I could clear that up. No, I don’t have further comment on the details of the action. Yes, all of that is available from public sources. Yes, seventeen of his men and eighty-three civilians… you know what, some of them might have been the local militia, I’m not sure, that was not detailed. Yes, they defended the village for forty-eight hours without relief. Well they saved about five thousand people, so if you want to call… no, the Prince would never describe himself as a war hero. He’s far to humble for that.”

“Sir, we’re fifteen minutes from Ethanian airspace,” said the flight staff as he came by. The Prince nodded.

---

*Confirm that Ethanian air defense has the ball.*

*Confirm, we have the ball.*

*Confirmed, aye. Sphinx, Ethanians have the ball. We’re peeling off. See you on the home flight.*

The two jet fighters flanking the Prince’s plane peeled off and turned back to home just outside Ethanian airspace.

[The Serbian Empire]

"What is going on here?" a mysterious voice said.

"The subject is conscious, Dr. Frelic! Quick record this in our laboratory notes," the lab attendant said.

"This is promising. We've been trying to develop an android that can play tennis as well as Marisa Celeste Frieri at worst. It's taken us months to calculate if the human body is capable of such enhancements," Dr. Frelic admitted to the lab assistant.

"So when will we put our subject on the court?" the assistant asked.

"I believe that Serena will be ready for the court in a month or two when it comes to NSTT play, but for now we'll see if she's capable of playing adequately at national level tournaments," Dr. Frelic stated.

"What? I'll be in the NSTT in a couple months?" a groggy Serena asked the doctor.

"Yes, and you'll be practicing your serve tomorrow," the doctor admitted to his groggy patient.

"I thought that I was volunteering for biological enhancement, but to become a pro athlete. I was just a nerdy girl who was willing to advance science, but this has gone too far," Serena thought out loud.

"Science doesn't go far enough, the work we've done here to you is just the tip of the iceberg of what biological enhancements we can do!" Dr. Frelic cackled away.

[Britonisea]

Leo Garry (BRI)                    5   3
Mattias Burges (MTJ)               7   6


  Group 6                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Mattias Burges                   2   1  1    3   2  +1    3
2 Dani Mateus                      2   1  1    3   3   0    3
  Leo Garry                        2   1  1    2   2   0    3
4 Icy Mellows                      2   1  1    2   3  −1    3

Leo Garry sat on his bench looking down at his racquet as he swirls it in a loop using the tips of his fingers on the edge of the handle. He just looked down, and he acted as though he was distant from the world. As if, he wasn't on this planet...As if, he is listening to his favourite music and it has taken him somewhere else, somewhere better, somewhere heavenly. But, this was not true. His mind churned as he received multiple headaches, at once, as if an earthquake tremored through his core and up to his head. He was hurt. He was in pain, though not physically. Mentally. The sport that he has played for years, decades seems boring to him, it seems as if he is doing it not for his own sake, but for the sake of his fans or the media, or for his reputation.

Inside his mind, his blood boiled at his lost against - quite frankly - a nobody. Now, we are not doubting, in anyway, his opponents skills in tennis; though Leo Garry had everything, everything, to beat this man. This man who stands in the way of him going through to the knock-off stages. Who does he think he is? Strolling up in this joint, acting like the badman of tennis. He is far from it. Leo Garry, the Britonish #1. Britonisea, that country who had multiple tennis players in the top 15. What a good time. Though, those people have moved on, are on television, in some advert, promoting the next-big-thing, cologne. It seemed as if all of this burdened was put down on him, Leo Garry, the worst Britonish #1 ever.

Sometimes, he just wants to quit. He just wants to leave. He just wants to hid away, his talent is useless. Talent? Oh, what talent does he have? What talent does the Britonish #1 have? What has he achieved in his tennis career? What has he done to make himself, "The Great?" At least he is good at doubles. He comes in to this tournament ranked number three with Elizabeth Quehall ~ The silver medalist in the Women's tennis. And speaking of the Olympics, at least he is the Olympic Champion in the Men's...But that is not enough, is it? That's just not enough. He doesn't want to win the Olympic Games, he wants to win every grand slam...And then the world tour finals. He wants to be #1 of the World...

So, before you look at a man swinging around his racquet, think to yourself....What is he actually thinking about?

[Ndaku]

TFG|The Federated Guardian
Sports || Health || Technology || Space || Domestic Politics || International Politics || Entertainment || World || Ndaku

Thursday 22 December 2110

---

Hate Group Targets Ndakene Muslim Tennis Player

MERSEYSHORE - Late night on Wednesday, Ndakene tennis player Jeanna Hakim found a letter from individuals from a hate group also known as White Knights, stating "Jesus hates Muslims and those who are against Jesus Christ are bound for damnation". The White Knights also spammed Hakim's Tweeter account with various threats and hate statements about the fact that she is a multiracial person and a devout Sunni Muslim. Authorities have already begun their investigation and are currently taking care of the situation; Hakim believes they've responded to her interview with TFG earlier on Thursday.

"It was certainly a shocker to have found such a disgusting piece of writing in my hotel room. Interestingly, I wasn't angered, but more depressed at the fact that there are still people out there - humans - who still see hatred in other fellow humans based on religion and skin color. Truly, it's a shame. Shame on them", says Hakim in a brief interview with TFG Thursday morning.

Hakim's strong responses to the news presses are believed to have caused these White Knights individuals to commit said threats; investigation to the situation is underway, according to local authorities.

Other more popular Ndakene tennis athletes such as Gabe Anderson wrote on Tweeter "In Ndaku, racial and religious conflict is a thing of the past. We're all human beings with different perceptions on things. Let's all be friends". Finishing in the round of 16 of the 2110 AOpen II, Adebowale Gilliam, posted a photo on his Expressagram showing people of all kinds sharing the world around them.

This central idea is what keeps Ndakenes and other allied human nations intact and united. Keep updated with The Federated Guardian everywhere you go by downloading our latest app on your Holograms today!

---

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[Ethane]

Cutoff.

---

Singles MD1

Group 1
Laura Roshik (MRC)                 6   6
Sabina Soca (MTJ)                  0   3

Jade Oreskovic (SRB)               3   3
Stephanie Brown (NGD)              6   6


  Group 1                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jade Oreskovic                   3   2  1    4   3  +1    6
2 Laura Roshik                     3   2  1    4   2  +2    6
3 Sabina Soca                      3   1  2    3   4  −1    3
4 Stephanie Brown                  3   1  2    2   4  −2    3

Group 2
Alastair Breaker (ETN)             1   0
Rasmus Milik (MRC)                 6   6

Gilad ben Yehudah (JUD)            7   6   7
Danjiella Zovic (NEG)              5   7   5


  Group 2                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Gilad ben Yehudah                3   3  0    6   3  +3    9
2 Danjiella Zovic                  3   1  2    3   4  −1    3 
3 Rasmus Milik                     3   1  2    3   4  −1    3  LL
4 Alastair Breaker                 3   1  2    3   4  −1    3 

Group 3
Marisa Celeste Frieri (SRB)        6   6
Sami Dominikanov (MTJ)             1   1

Kasandra Perrier (EFL)             3   7   6
Thomas Hutchon (ETN)               6   6   2


  Group 3                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Thomas Hutchon                   3   2  1    5   2  +3    6
2 Kasandra Perrier                 3   2  1    5   4  +1    6
3 Marisa Celeste Frieri            3   2  1    4   3  +1    6
4 Sami Dominikanov                 3   0  3    1   6  −5    0

Group 4
Linwood Marchand (NDA)             6   6
Tony Tuk (QAD)                     4   2

Marco Vrient (NEG)                 2   2
Thierry Garzala (NEG)              6   6


  Group 4                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Thierry Garzala                  3   3  0    6   1  +5    9
2 Marco Vrient                     3   2  1    4   2  +2    6
3 Linwood Marchand                 3   1  2    3   4  −1    3  LL
4 Tony Tuk                         3   0  3    0   6  −6    0

Group 5
Keeley Sinai (EFL)                 6   6
Andrea Palmannerson (MRC)          4   3

Elizabeth Quehall (BRI)            6   3   2
Halaeo DiGaldi (QAD)               3   6   6


  Group 5                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Halaeo DiGaldi                   3   3  0    6   1  +5    9
2 Keeley Sinai                     3   2  1    4   2  +2    6
3 Elizabeth Quehall                3   1  2    3   4  −1    3
4 Andrea Palmannerson              3   0  3    0   6  −6    0

Group 6
Mattias Burges (MTJ)               6   6
Icy Mellows (QAD)                  3   1

Dani Mateus (NDA)                  7   7
Leo Garry (BRI)                    6   5


  Group 6                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Dani Mateus                      3   2  1    5   3  +2    6
2 Mattias Burges                   3   2  1    5   2  +3    6
3 Leo Garry                        3   1  2    2   4  −2    3
4 Icy Mellows                      3   1  2    2   5  −3    3

Group 7
Sukaina Yunan (EFL)                2   4
Lou Herriot (NDA)                  6   6

Dominika Lisicki (MTJ)             6   2   3
Cracik Almeronovic (MRC)           4   6   6


  Group 7                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Cracik Almeronovic               3   3  0    6   1  +5    9
2 Dominika Lisicki                 3   1  2    4   4   0    3
3 Lou Herriot                      3   1  2    2   4  −2    3
4 Sukaina Yunan                    3   1  2    2   5  −3    3

Group 8
Samuel Hartnell (ETN)              6   6
Maritania Cross (NDA)              2   2

Paisley Brazzos (QAD)              7   2   1
Hollie Gratton (ETN)               6   6   6


  Group 8                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Hollie Gratton                   3   3  0    6   2  +4    9
2 Paisley Brazzos                  3   2  1    5   4  +1    6
3 Samuel Hartnell                  3   1  2    3   4  −1    3
4 Maritania Cross                  3   0  3    2   6  −4    0

Group 9
Feyrord Poniac (QAD)               3   6   1
Edmund Wilkinson (ETN)             6   4   6

Mayeso Kayden (NDA)                4   3
Hadar ben Ofer (JUD)               6   6


  Group 9                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Edmund Wilkinson                 3   2  1    5   3  +2    6
2 Hadar ben Ofer                   3   2  1    4   3  +1    6
3 Mayeso Kayden                    3   2  1    4   4   0    6  LL
4 Feyrord Poniac                   3   0  3    3   6  −3    0

Group 10
Paul Chinra (TOB)                  6   7
Mikhayhu Lévesque (NDA)            1   5

Sarah Johnson (TOB)                6   0   6
Dominic Ripaldi (NEG)              4   6   2


  Group 10                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Sarah Johnson                    3   3  0    6   2  +4    9
2 Dominic Ripaldi                  3   2  1    5   3  +2    6
3 Paul Chinra                      3   1  2    4   4   0    3
4 Mikhayhu Lévesque                3   0  3    0   6  −6    0

Group 11
Charlotte Little (ETN)             6   7
Molly Rhonic (MRC)                 3   6

Arieh ben Daniyyel (JUD)           4   3
Adam Gory (SCH)                    6   6


  Group 11                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Charlotte Little                 3   3  0    6   2  +4    9
2 Adam Gory                        3   2  1    5   2  +3    6
3 Arieh ben Daniyyel               3   1  2    3   5  −2    3
4 Molly Rhonic                     3   0  3    1   6  −5    0

Group 12
Gisela Stefanovic (SRB)            2   7   6
Yves Whitz (QAD)                   6   5   2

Tijana Mirkic (SRB)                2   6
Mark Southgate (NGD)               6   7


  Group 12                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Mark Southgate                   3   3  0    6   1  +5    9
2 Gisela Stefanovic                3   2  1    5   4  +1    6
3 Tijana Mirkic                    3   1  2    3   4  −1    3
4 Yves Whitz                       3   0  3    1   6  −5    0

Group 13
Aljaž Corluka (MTJ)                6   6
Goran Petrovic (SRB)               1   3

Ricardo Toli (BRI)                 3   4
Mei Jokek (MRC)                    6   6


  Group 13                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Aljaž Corluka                    3   3  0    6   1  +5    9
2 Mei Jokek                        3   2  1    5   3  +2    6
3 Goran Petrovic                   3   1  2    3   5  −2    3
4 Ricardo Toli                     3   0  3    1   6  −5    0

Group 14
Jim Cowie (SCH)                    7   5   8
Maria Julenic (MTJ)                5   7   6

Vladimir Ivanovic Ivanov (SRB)     2   6  11
Ty Kanelious (QAD)                 6   0  13


  Group 14                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jim Cowie                        3   3  0    6   3  +3    9
2 Ty Kanelious                     3   2  1    5   3  +2    6
3 Vladimir Ivanovic Ivanov         3   1  2    4   4   0    3
4 Maria Julenic                    3   0  3    1   6  −5    0

Group 15
Carus Lurious (SCH)                6   4   6
Markus Carlgren (MRC)              2   6   2

Rikard Kampl (MTJ)                 6   3   3
Liam Penderyn (NGD)                2   6   6


  Group 15                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Liam Penderyn                    3   3  0    6   1  +5    9
2 Carus Lurious                    3   2  1    4   3  +1    6
3 Rikard Kampl                     3   1  2    3   4  −1    3
4 Markus Carlgren                  3   0  3    1   6  −5    0

Group 16
Derek Dubrovnik (BRI)              7   3   6
Mila Sekera (SRB)                  6   6   4

Odell Bristol (NDA)                7   2   4
Tommy West (NGD)                   5   6   6


  Group 16                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Derek Dubrovnik                  3   3  0    6   1  +5    9
2 Tommy West                       3   2  1    4   3  +1    6
3 Odell Bristol                    3   1  2    3   4  −1    3
4 Mila Sekera                      3   0  3    1   6  −5    0

Group 17
Alex Sanders (TOB)                 5   7   6
Mattias Doerwald (NEG)             7   5   3

Livnat bat Avram (JUD)             4   6   5
Megan Elliott (NGD)                6   3   7


  Group 17                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Megan Elliott                    3   3  0    6   1  +5    9
2 Alex Sanders                     3   2  1    4   3  +1    6
3 Mattias Doerwald                 3   1  2    3   4  −1    3
4 Livnat bat Avram                 3   0  3    1   6  −5    0

Group 18
Ofir bat Paz (JUD)                 6   6   6
Jaxton Monty (QAD)                 7   4   0

Max Aswick (NGD)                   5   2
Felice Mareaux (NEG)               7   6


  Group 18                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Felice Mareaux                   3   3  0    6   1  +5    9
2 Ofir bat Paz                     3   2  1    5   3  +2    6
3 Max Aswick                       3   1  2    2   5  −3    3
4 Jaxton Monty                     3   0  3    2   6  −4    0

Group 19
Aljaž Isaac (EFL)                  6   6
Jane Smith (TOB)                   0   4

Yissakhar ben Ira (JUD)            6   1   3
Giorgio Irani (EFL)                3   6   6


  Group 19                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Giorgio Irani                    3   3  0    6   1  +5    9
2 Aljaž Isaac                      3   2  1    4   3  +1    6
3 Jane Smith                       3   1  2    2   4  −2    3  LL
4 Yissakhar ben Ira                3   0  3    2   6  −4    0

Group 20
Jason Gordon (BRI)                 6   7
Sanja Molanovic (MTJ)              3   5

Alexander Linip (MRC)              2   6   4
Jaimy Leger (EFL)                  6   3   6


  Group 20                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jaimy Leger                      3   3  0    6   1  +5    9
2 Jason Gordon                     3   2  1    4   2  +2    6
3 Alexander Linip                  3   1  2    3   5  −2    3
4 Sanja Molanovic                  3   0  3    1   6  −5    0

Group 21
Jill Clark (NGD)                   4   6   6
Starlin Azocar (SRB)               6   3   1

Ofra bat Dekel (JUD)               6   4   6
Bradyn Burn (EFL)                  3   6   3


  Group 21                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jill Clark                       3   3  0    6   3  +3    9
2 Bradyn Burn                      3   1  2    4   4   0    3
3 Starlin Azocar                   3   1  2    3   4  −1    3
4 Ofra bat Dekel                   3   1  2    3   5  −2    3

Group 22
Estela Fenton-Millington (EFL)     7   4   6
Jeanna Hakim (NDA)                 6   6   4

Louis Amada (CEN)                  0   3
John Muir (SCH)                    6   6


  Group 22                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 John Muir                        3   2  1    5   3  +2    6
2 Estela Fenton-Millington         3   2  1    5   3  +2    6
3 Louis Amada                      3   1  2    2   5  −3    3
4 Jeanna Hakim                     3   1  2    4   5  −1    3

Doubles MD3

Group 1
Newton Gray/Thomas Greene (ETN)                      6   3   6
Ivan Ivanovic Ivanov/Marika Kanepi-Vukovic (SRB)     3   6   2

Catherine Kruminš/Adam Gory (SCH)                    6   3   6
Andy Amada/Noah Damaris (CEN)                        3   6   2


  Group 1                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Andy Amada/Noah Damaris                            3   2  0  1    5   2  +3    6
2 Newton Gray/Thomas Greene                          3   2  0  1    4   3  +1    6
3 Catherine Kruminš/Adam Gory                        3   2  0  1    4   4   0    6
4 Ivan Ivanovic Ivanov/Marika Kanepi-Vukovic         3   0  0  3    2   6  −4    0

Group 2
Jill Clark/Melissa Herbert (NGD)                     7   4   4
Dominic Ripaldi/Thierry Garzala (NEG)                5   6   6

Paul Chinra/Alex Sanders (TOB)                       7   4   5
Kika Dovan/Neia Dovan (CEN)                          5   6   7


  Group 2                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jill Clark/Melissa Herbert                         3   2  0  1    5   3  +2    6
2 Kika Dovan/Neia Dovan                              3   2  0  1    5   3  +2    6
3 Paul Chinra/Alex Sanders                           3   1  0  2    3   4  −1    3
4 Dominic Ripaldi/Thierry Garzala                    3   1  0  2    2   5  −3    3

Group 3
Livnat bat Avram/Arieh ben Daniyyel (JUD)            6   3   8
Jade Oreskovic/Tijana Mirkic (SRB)                   1   6   6

Sarah Johnson/Jane Smith (TOB)                       6   6   5
Jordan Bennet/Lucy Hockers (ETN)                     7   4   7


  Group 3                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jordan Bennet/Lucy Hockers                         3   3  0  0    6   2  +4    9
2 Livnat bat Avram/Arieh ben Daniyyel                3   2  0  1    5   3  +2    6
3 Sarah Johnson/Jane Smith                           3   1  0  2    3   4  −1    3
4 Jade Oreskovic/Tijana Mirkic                       3   0  0  3    1   6  −5    0

Group 4
Rikard Kampl/ Dominika Lisicki (MTJ)                 4   7   4
Marco Vrient/Mattias Doerwald (NEG)                  6   6   6

Felice Mareaux/Marla Gerard (NEG)                    5   4
Jack Parminus/Adam Stratesimov (MRC)                 7   6


  Group 4                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jack Parminus/Adam Stratesimov                     3   2  0  1    5   3  +2    6
2 Marco Vrient/Mattias Doerwald                      3   2  0  1    5   4  +1    6
3 Rikard Kampl/ Dominika Lisicki                     3   2  0  1    5   4  +1    6  LL
4 Felice Mareaux/Marla Gerard                        3   0  0  3    2   6  −4    0

Group 5
Rayford Wise/Dhaakir Prieto (EFL)                    6   6
Goran Petrovic/Ria Valentia (SRB)                    2   2

Manasses Henryson/Itri Rider (NDA)                   0   7   4
Alma Semmes/Danjiella Zovic (NEG)                    6   5   6


  Group 5                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Rayford Wise/Dhaakir Prieto                        3   3  0  0    6   0  +6    9
2 Goran Petrovic/Ria Valentia                        3   1  0  2    3   4  −1    3
3 Manasses Henryson/Itri Rider                       3   1  0  2    3   5  −2    3
4 Alma Semmes/Danjiella Zovic                        3   1  0  2    2   5  −3    3

Group 6
Marisa Celeste Frieri/Gisela Stefanovic (SRB)        6   6
Mattias Burges/ Aljaž Corluka (MTJ)                  3   4

Yissakhar ben Ira/Gilad ben Yehudah (JUD)            2   6
Giorgio Irani/Clementina Travers (EFL)               6   7


  Group 6                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Marisa Celeste Frieri/Gisela Stefanovic            3   2  0  1    4   3  +1    6
2 Giorgio Irani/Clementina Travers                   3   2  0  1    5   2  +3    6
3 Mattias Burges/ Aljaž Corluka                      3   1  0  2    2   5  −3    3  LL
4 Yissakhar ben Ira/Gilad ben Yehudah                3   1  0  2    3   4  −1    3

Group 7
Ricardo Toli/Lance Mance (BRI)                       6   6
Furaha Abraham/Brooke Géroux (NDA)                   1   3

Patrick Sintarnov/Harry Rymin (MRC)                  2   6   6
Kiersten Bullock/Reina Jaber (EFL)                   6   4   4


  Group 7                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Ricardo Toli/Lance Mance                           3   2  0  1    5   2  +3    6
2 Kiersten Bullock/Reina Jaber                       3   2  0  1    5   3  +2    6
3 Patrick Sintarnov/Harry Rymin                      3   2  0  1    4   3  +1    6
4 Furaha Abraham/Brooke Géroux                       3   0  0  3    0   6  −6    0

Group 8
Jake Cartson/Steven King (ETN)                       4   4
Måns Zowzer/Timmy Yukon (QAD)                        6   6

Jonum Korlovia/Johanna Korlovia (MRC)                6   7
Mark Southgate/Megan Elliott (NGD)                   2   6


  Group 8                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Jonum Korlovia/Johanna Korlovia                    3   3  0  0    6   0  +6    9
2 Mark Southgate/Megan Elliott                       3   2  0  1    4   3  +1    6
3 Måns Zowzer/Timmy Yukon                            3   1  0  2    2   4  −2    3
4 Jake Cartson/Steven King                           3   0  0  3    1   6  −5    0

Group 9
Ravid ben Yehoshua/Ofir bat Paz (JUD)                6   6   6
Sabina Soca/ Dominik Augsbirjke (MTJ)                0   7   4

Rafferty Henri/Karissa Macy (NDA)                    6   4   7
Liam Penderyn/Harry Blackwood (NGD)                  4   6   5


  Group 9                                          Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Ravid ben Yehoshua/Ofir bat Paz                    3   3  0  0    6   2  +4    9
2 Rafferty Henri/Karissa Macy                        3   2  0  1    5   3  +2    6
3 Liam Penderyn/Harry Blackwood                      3   1  0  2    3   5  −2    3
4 Sabina Soca/ Dominik Augsbirjke                    3   0  0  3    2   6  −4    0

Group 10
Jack McDonell/Alan Alexander (SCH)                   6   6
Franklin Polymar/Yves Whitz (QAD)                    4   4

Terry Rèben/Icy Mellows (QAD)                        6   4   5
Phoebe Harvey/Berat Latif (EFL)                      2   6   7


  Group 10                                         Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Phoebe Harvey/Berat Latif                          3   3  0  0    6   2  +4    9
2 Jack McDonell/Alan Alexander                       3   2  0  1    5   2  +3    6
3 Terry Rèben/Icy Mellows                            3   1  0  2    3   4  −1    3
4 Franklin Polymar/Yves Whitz                        3   0  0  3    0   6  −6    0

Group 11
Laura Roshik/Wendy Noyek (MRC)                       6   3   6
Glenn Benoit/Masuma Hodson (NDA)                     1   6   4

Blair Forest/Donny Knight (QAD)                      6   6
Julian Slazic/ Lara Basic (MTJ)                      3   3


  Group 11                                         Pld   W  D  L   PF  PA  PD  Pts 
1 Blair Forest/Donny Knight                          3   2  0  1    5   2  +3    6
2 Laura Roshik/Wendy Noyek                           3   2  0  1    5   4  +1    6
3 Julian Slazic/ Lara Basic                          3   2  0  1    4   4   0    6
4 Glenn Benoit/Masuma Hodson                         3   0  0  3    2   6  −4    0

[Ethane]

Doubles
Singles

[Mercedini]

Mercedinian Tennis: A (Half) Year In Review (1/2)
@ Merseyshore Multipurpose Sports Centre - Merseyshore, Ethane

With the year quickly coming to an end and the NSTT World Tour Finals approaching, we thought we would give our review of the year that Mercedini has had in the world of Tennis. Since debuting, Mercedini has had it's fair share of ups, downs and all different kinds of in-betweens. Players have made a name for themselves and some have faded away, but as this is likely to be Mercedini's final tournament of the year, we thought we would go through the year player-by-player to see how our players faired against the rest of the world. Mercedini has placed a bid to host the NSTT World Tour Finals so it could be the case that the Mercedinian Tennis Association has one more job to take care of, but for the players, they have already been ruled out of a spot in the World Tour Finals. In this edition, we will be focusing on the singles players who have participated in NSTT events, staring with the current Mercedinian #1; Cracik Almeronovic.

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Cracik Almeronovic
Current Rank: 38th | Projected: 35th (+3) | Best Tournament: Electrum Slam (473 pts.)

When Mercedini debuted in the Electrum Slam many moons ago, few expected that Cracik Almeronovic would end up being the Mercedinian #1 at the end of the year, even fewer thought he would crack the Top-50. Well, he proved the doubters wrong and ended up leaping into the higher end of the leaderboard on his first go, he carried that momentum into his later tournaments and has landed in a promising 38th position at the end of the year. It might prove to be a big year for the big Mercedinian as his domestic rank means he is likely to top the billing for his nation at many tournaments. His lack of support at the top is slightly concerning with no other Mercedinian player joining him in the later rounds, but 2017 may be a big year of Mercedinian with Almeronovic being challenged at the top by other Mercedinian rising stars. Even though he missed out on a spot for the NSTT World Tour Finals, he will surely be at the forefront of the Mercedinian bid for a spot at the finals.

In the Merseyshore Masters currently going on, Cracik Almeronovic breezed past his qualifying group, picking up all available qualifying points, only conceding one set and making it into the hat for the first round draw. He will play Neu Engellon's Dominic Ripaldi in the first round.

Mei Jokek
Current Rank: 64th | Projected: 63rd (+1) | Best Tournament: Mercedinian Open (390 pts.)

Despite a slow start to proceedings, Mei Jokek grabbed the latter end of 2016 by the balls and surprisingly ended up as the Mercedinian #2 and the highest ranked female in the nation. A healthy debut in the Electrum Open combined with good showings in almost all of her other tournaments gave the Mercedinian a stunning points per tournament average of 134.25, eclipsing those of her rivals around her. Jokek ultimately stole the number two spot from her compatriots thanks to her tremendous showing in the Mercedinian Open on home turf, reaching the final and picking up 390 points to add to her tally. Another one that could challenge for a Finals spot. She could turn out to be a dark horse in 2017.

In her final tournament of the year, Jokek put an early setback in the group behind her in the group and ended up winning her other two matches to qualify second in the group. Mei Jokek has been given a rather winnable draw against Judah's Gilad ben Yehudah.

Laura Roshik
Current Rank: 94th | Projected: 89th (+5) | Best Tournament: Electrum Slam (142 pts.)

Laura Roshik pwroved to be a force to be reckoned with, despite her size, to finish as the #3 ranked Mercedinian and was pipped to the post to the #2 spot after a poor showing in the later tournaments of the year. Her debut was special, as the pocket rocket was the second-to-last to be eliminated which gave her a three digit tally in only her first tournament. However, later tournaments proved to be her downfall, failing to qualify in many of her tournaments after that, her qualifying victories may have kept her points tally ticking over but her absence in the later rounds of any tournament meant that she lost her momentum going into the end of the year. The ITT and AOpen gave her light rest bite but she ultimately failed to challenge Jokek who took her #2 spot at the death.

Roshik's long rest combined with her extensive training regime means she is at full fitness going into the Merseyshore Masters. Laura participated in a tight group and only recorded one loss in the group, finishing second in her group and qualifying for her first major tournament in a while. Roshik has been given a tough draw in the first round, she will play Neu Engellon's Felice Mareaux for a chance to play the third seed Catherine Krumins in the second round.

Alexander Linip
Current Rank: 122th | Projected: 118th (+4) | Best Tournament: Handon Open (110 pts.)

Alexander Linip also had a quiet start to his career before coming alight and consolidating his #4 position for his nations, meaning he is likely to qualify for many exclusive tournament, the #4 ranking also mean that Linip could feature in the next edition in the ITT if he plays his cards right for the rest of the tennis season. Linip has been possibly been the most consistent member of the team, picking up modest points in 3 of the 6 tournaments he has participated in. Culminating in his best showing in Schottia, where he picked up 110 points in the Handon Open which meant he gave himself a large margin between himself and 5th place. Despite being a late bloomer, Linip will most like stay in the realm of the moderate-to-good, unless a campaign in a big tournament goes his way.

An all-round decent year for Alexander Linip ends in disappointment as he is knocked out in the qualifiers of the Merseyshore Masters, only achieving one win and finishing third in the group.

Jonum Korlovia
Current Rank: 280th | Projected: 276th (+4) | Best Tournament: Electrum Slam (37 pts.)

Jonum Korlovia has been relatively absent in the singles tournament since his debut in the Electrum Slam. That's because he has been focusing on his doubles action with his sister in the doubles tournaments (which we will be covering in the second half of this publication). Apart from a brief showing which gave him a solid 37pts, it is unsure whether Jonum will be returning to singles action. He hasn't participated on any more singles tournaments even though he has had the option to.

He did not travel to Ethane, meaning his year has already, we don't know whether he will be back in 2016. You never know...

Andrea Palmannerson
Current Rank: 319th | Projected: 313th (+6) | Best Tournament: Electrum Slam/AOpen (11 pts.)

Andrea Palmannerson has relatively absent in the tennis rankings aswell, but not for the want of trying. It's safe to say that Andrea feels the pressure when entering big tournaments on her own. She has participated in about 5 or 6 tournaments but has draw a blank in half of those. In fact, her points have come from single qualifying victories in each tournament. Although it won't be the most convincing performances, it could be said that she is setting herself a platform to use in 2017.

History has repeated itself in the Merseyshore Masters and Palmannerson failed to win a single set to finish bottom of the group and to record yet another duck for her career.

Rasmus Milik
Current Rank: 332th | Projected: 324th (+8) | Best Tournament: Electrum Slam (15 pts.)

Rasmus Milik was anticipated to be the golden boy of tennis, winning the domestic tournament which meant he was on the plane to Electrum, he was an automatic qualifier for the first round proper of the Electrum Slam but failed to record a victory at the tournament and went home with the 15 points he was practically gifted. Since then, he hasn't been as active on the tennis tour as we would've thought, only recording one more victory in AOpen Qualifying before recording a couple of pointless tournaments (literally & figuratively). 2017 could be a good tournament for one of Mercedini's youngest players, if he participates in the right tournaments and picks his right moment to strike.

Milik seems to be back on the right track in his career, but it has taken a bit of luck to get there. Milik looked down and out in his group but a stunning match which saw him lose only one game throughout the entire match which saw him finish third in his group (even though all of the bottom three ended up on the same points and set difference). Thankfully, Milik picked up one of the lucky loser spots and will compete in his first 'first round proper's since his debut. He will play Ceni's second seed Johmer Vales.

Molly Rhonic
Current Rank: 433th | Projected: 430th (+3) | Best Tournament: AOpen (11 pts.)

Molly Rhonic, the golden girl who masterminded the Junior ITT winning team (the first and currently only Mercedinian victory in any event) and is now currently working on her senior career with some luck, however it will take some effort getting off the ground in a crowded and saturated tour. She as only participated in one tournament where she claimed her first victory and points tally; the AOpen. After that, she took part in other tournaments without any luck and where she left empty handed.

In the Merseyshore Masters, Molly Rhonic left with another donut on her record as she lost every match in her group. After a brief senior campaign in 2016, she looks to bounce back in 2017 by training hard and putting in the hours to finally get some points on the board.

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So there we have it. Our round up of 2016 from the perspective of the singles players. We have four players in the first round of the Merseyshore Masters so let's hope for a good showing in the final event of 2016 (excluding the NSTT World Tour Finals). Points are up for grabs in Ethane so it's the last chance for our players to grab some points and shoot up the NSTT leaderboards.
We will be back with the review for the doubles players, but from here in Merseyshore... good night!