[NSTT] 2018 Astyrian Series - IC Thread

[Costa de Ouro]

---

---

The Astyrian Series returns in 2018, only scaled back to two tournaments instead of last year's six. The 2018 BCA Albergaria Open, a Tier 2 event, will be held January 8-14 in Albergaria, Costa de Ouro; the 2018 Antillia Masters, a Tier 1 Mandatory event, will be held from January 22-26 in Antillia, Costa de Ouro.

Signups will be open until two days before the scheduled start of each event; thus, signups for Albergaria will close on January 6, 2018 and signups for Antillia will close on January 20, 2018. Nations may sign up 4 singles players and 2 doubles teams for the Albergaria Open and 8 singles players and 4 doubles teams for the Antillia Masters. Wild cards may be given at the host's discretion. All puppets must be declared; each user may enter two nations total.

RP bonus will be cumulative throughout the series and will be weighted heavily in the scorinator; thus, RP often to give your players a better chance of success.

All singles matches will use three tiebreak sets; doubles at the Albergaria Open will use a super-tiebreaker, first to 10 points (win by 2) in place of a third set, while doubles at the Antillia Masters will use three tiebreak sets.

---

Schedules

---

Albergaria Open
Monday, January 8: Draw posted
Wednesday, January 10: Qualifiers round 1
Thursday, January 11: Qualifiers round 2
Friday, January 12: Round of 32
Saturday, January 13: Round of 16
Sunday, January 14: Quarterfinals
Monday, January 15: Semifinals
Tuesday, January 16: Finals

Antillia Masters
Tuesday, January 23: Qualifiers round 1
Wednesday, January 24: Qualifiers round 2
Thursday, January 25: Break day
Friday, January 26: Round of 64, day 1
Saturday, January 27: Round of 64, day 2
Monday, January 28: Round of 32
Tuesday, January 29: Round of 16
Wednesday, January 30: Quarterfinals
Thursday, January 31: Semifinals
Friday, February 1: Finals

---

Draws

---

Albergaria Open
Singles
Singles - Qualifying
Doubles
Doubles - Qualifying

Antillia Masters
Singles

Singles Qualifying
(10) Llinos Cairistìona (FCF) vs Luciano Ziccardino IV (VKL)
Julia Devoningstan (NKO) vs Julia Marelika (MTJ)

(5) Mihai Caeso Mihailescu (NTN) vs Geraldo Demo (UNV)
Lukas Nunheäd (BRI) vs Vladimir Mung (UNV)

(3) Birger Gwil (FCF) vs Toby Lindberg (MEL)
Izara Sava (MTJ) vs Niken subdula (NKO)

(8) Kieron Summerhayes (BRI) vs Aoife Morrow (MEL)
Juana Reio (VKL) vs Peter Olofsson (MEL)

(1) Márcus Gabriel Alencastro (NTN) vs Teddy Hermann (MEL)
Freepan Jer (UNV) vs Jack Harper (NDO)

(7) Elizabeth Quehall (BRI) vs Martin Shearman (VKL)
Frey Wulf (UNV) vs Kyle Washington (NKO)

(6) Sami Dominikanov (MTJ) vs Paula Blomqvist (MEL)
Martina Anger (VKL) vs Charlotte Prize (QAD)

(4) Hermanni Conall (FCF) vs Ricardo Toli (BRI)
Colonel Selav Tukerawan (VKL) vs Bradley Tang (UNV)

(11) Säde Kaja (FCF) vs Joran Tiperal (VKL)
Sean Larsen (MEL) vs Melissa Raind (VKL)

(2) Vitoria Júlia da Silva (NTN) vs Ceallachán Amhlaoibh (FCF)
Mubashir Abbasi (EFL) vs Matthew Arp (UNV)

(12) Juan subdula (NKO) vs Aden Bea (UNV)
Jenny Olofsson (MEL) vs Elena Dukario (VKL)

(9) Iohanna Márcia Enderssen-Moura (NTN) vs Joseph Bennett (NDO)
Albert Yong (UNV) vs Cate O'Malley (MEL)

Doubles

Doubles Qualifying
(7) Llinos Cairistìona / Säde Kaja (FCF) vs Georgia Nickel/Lukas Nunheäd (BRI)
Muireann Ó Gnímh/ Magnus Larsen (MEL) vs Joran Tiperal/Martin Shearman (VKL)

(5) Márcus Gabriel Alencastro/Mihai Caeso Mihailescu (NTN) vs Dagmar Liùsaidh / Ástríður Eydís (FCF)
Martina Anger/Juana Reio (VKL) vs Mihai Publius Apilesco/Ion Marcus Ioanescu (NTN)

(3) Blair Forest/Donny Knight (QAD) vs Aden Bea/Geraldo Demo (UNV)
Toby Lindberg/ Aoife Morrow (MEL) vs Luciano Ziccardino IV/Colonel Selav Tukerawan (VKL)

(4) Kara Dragovic/ Jelena Svitolina (MTJ) vs Jenny Olofsson/ Peter Olofsson (MEL)
Niken subdula/ Juan subdula (NKO) vs Alwyn Pedr / Ceallachán Amhlaoibh (FCF)

(2) Túlius Tarquínio da Silva/Ápio Rog dos Santos (NTN) vs Albert Yong/Freepan Jer (UNV)
Jack Harper/Joseph Bennett (NDO) vs Thom McDonald/ Martha Dolan (MEL)

(6) Mans Zowzer/Timmy Yukon (QAD) vs Mihaela Ioana Prisco/Vitoria Júlia da Silva (NTN)
Frey Wulf/Vladimir Mung (UNV) vs Dominik Kuhn/ Samira Ralic (MTJ)

(1) Franklin Polymar/Yves Whitz (QAD) vs Kyle Washington/ Julia devoningstan (NKO)
Lance Mance/Ricardo Toli (BRI) vs Bradley Tang/Matthew Arp (UNV)

[Northwest Kalactin]

Singles
1. Niken subdula- Niken won 4 straight championships before giving it up to Julia devoningstan last year he is a great player overall
2. Julia Devoningstan- Julia is fast she can run down a ball pretty easily and won the national championship last year
3. Kyle Washington- Kyle has a very hard hit he broke the record on Northwest Kalactin he likes using his hit against opponents
4. Juan subdula- Juan is very good he comes from a tennis family and and loves expending physical energy his twin brother Niken is good also

Doubles
1. Niken subdula/ Juan subdula- the two brothers have starred In doubles with each other before in 2 other tournaments they have been training with each other for a very long time.
2. Kyle Washington/ Julia devoningstan- These two are a dynamic duo Julia’s speed along with kyles hard hit makes them great

[New Doltania]

For the first time ever, New Doltanian Players will compete in a NSTT tournament! Here is some info on them:

Singles
Jack Harper:
Born in Porta Cruz, Harper is New Doltania's No 1 player!

Joseph Bennett:
Born in Occhenfjord, Bennett is New Doltania's No 2 player!

Doubles
Jack Harper and Joseph Bennett
The quality of these two speaks for itself!

[Ferret Civilization]

Euan sighed looking over what all the different departments were requesting to further Eilionoir's council project. It was making a mess of the library, let alone the staff, patriotic duty or something. This simple life was looking to be rather hectic for the foreseeable future, but it was about to get so much worse with a new arrival. Not intentionally being rude Euan continued to focus on his work as most that came up to the front desk now usually were just submitting some work or another that they wanted found. Leaving a rather quiet pause for some time before he finally looked up to focus on his company, "Oh Councilor Milla, sorry, it should not be too hard to find Eilionoir around here somewhere." Seeing as Milla did not seem satisfied with that answer he paused again, "Unless there is something else that I can assist you with?"

"Possibly Euan, Eilionoir is not the only one trying to do something for the sake of doing something. Me and Oliver have decided to make the international sports effort official after all this time of going over it with recent events and all. And we would like to get all the original members back together again, will not happen as fast this time however."

"We are doing this again? What happened last time, did not turn out so well and decided to sit out on the idea until later? Just to start up again, now, this is like the third time right? Unbelievable, alright I am in for another journey I suppose. Have to inform my work though."

"Alright, I will inform you of everything on our way to get the others." And explain Milla did, turns out without much else to ride on now Oliver had managed to take what little he could round up and put it into updating all the sporting equipment for international standards. All they had to do was round up everyone once again from their possibly old jobs, again, to bring them back into representing Ferrets abroad. Just patriotic duty or something indeed.

[Mattijana]

Mattijana Name Strong Side For Astyrian Series

MFO SPORT

Alex Dimitrov has named a strong side for the NSTT's season opening events in Costa de Ouro. The Mattijanan chief selector was able to call upon an injury-free squad for the two clay-court events in Albergaria and Antillia.
Mattijanan presence is particularly strong for the Tier 2 warm up Albergaria Open. Number 1 and world number 24 Dominika Lisicki and Mattijana's other top 50 player, Mattias Burges, also returns at number 45 in the world rankings. 19 year old sensation Maria Julenic and familiar face Aljaž Ćorluka also return in the singles competition.

Mattijana undoubtedly had a breakthrough season last year, sparked by the team making the semis in the ITT before Dominika Lisicki and Rikard Kampl won Mattijana's first ever tournament in Mercedini. The year was a good one on a more personal level as well. Maria Julenic, herself a junior ITT find, shot up the rankings whilst Dominika Lisicki is on the verge of the fabled top 20. Doubles performance has been even better. Lisicki and Kampl lie an excellent 16th whilst Lara Basic and Julian Slazic sit 22nd in the world.

Whilst selection for Albergaria is surprising only for its strength, some of the choices for Antillia have raised a few more eyebrows. Whilst the regulars will still be taking to the court, Sami Dominikanov returns in favour of Dan Ljukanic whilst Izara Sava also returns to the team after an injury-hit season, replacing Dominik Augsbirjke.

Sava is a player that the Mattijanan selection team have always held in high regard, but was left out for most of last season due to a long-running ankle injury. She will be keen to vindicate her team's faith in her ability in the new year with some encouraging results, but will need to maintain her fitness if she is to make serious inroads into the team's setup.

Sami Dominikanov's recall is a more curious inclusion. The 19 year old surfaced in the same junior ITT tournament as Maria Julenic, but has seen his career stall since those days. Despite the adversity, Dimitrov has given Dominikanov another chance to shine on the international stage, but some are suggesting it may be a last chance for the world number 177, particularly with this year's Junior ITT star Dan Ljukanic looking promising. Dominikanov has also had rumoured issues off the court, an additional distraction for a player already fighting for his future career.

Julia Marelika returns for her second senior tournament in Antillia. A long-term occupant at the Pulnik Sports Academy near Puljanka, the 18 year old has a forehand strong enough for the world tour. However her main strength is her powerful and technically sublime two-handed backhand, a testament to the world class coaching at the academy. Marelika has a bright future and will be looking to emulate Maria Julenic's rise towards the top 50 from her current position of 263.

In the doubles, Kampl and Lisicki will be entertaining fans with their typically flamboyant style of play, particularly at the net. Quality is in no short supply either. The duo have risen to 16th in the world and have the top 10 and more tournament victories in their sights.

Lara Basic and Julian Slazic, Mattijana's more agricultural partnership, also return. They too will be looking to push for the top 10 and are set for another good year on the tour. Young blood is available too. Dominik Kuhn and Samira Ralic made their debut at the junior ITT in Ceni and then participated in their first senior tournament in the same nation. The ever-dependable Jelena Svitolina and Kara Dragovic will also be back for Antillia.

With optimism comes expectation, but if last year is anything to go by, Mattijana have another good year in store.

[Costa de Ouro]

Albergaria: Singles Qualifying - Round 1

Ralph Newkärn (BRI)                   6   6
Colonel Selav Tukerawan (VKL)         3   0

Julia Devoningstan (NKO)              4   6   6
Sean Larsen (MEL)                     6   1   4

Aljaž Corluka (MTJ)                   6   6
Albert Yong (UNV)                     2   2

Bradley Tang (UNV)                    5   7   6
Martina Anger (VKL)                   7   6   7

Jane Smith (TOB)                      6   6   3
Alwyn Pedr (FCF)                      7   1   6

Haylee Hedlund (EFL)                  6   6   2
Juana Reio (VKL)                      7   2   6

Sukaina Yunan (EFL)                   4   6   6
Matthew Arp (UNV)                     6   3   2

Teddy Hermann (MEL)                   2   5
Jack Harper (NDO)                     6   7

Aljaž Corluka (MTJ)                   4   6   6
Cate O'Malley (MEL)                   6   0   3

Freepan Jer (UNV)                     6   3   6
Niken subdula (NKO)                   1   6   2

Dagmar Liùsaidh (FCF)                 7   6
Paula Blomqvist (MEL)                 6   3

Kyle Washington (NKO)                 6   4   6
Ricardo Toli (BRI)                    3   6   2

Sarah Johnson (TOB)                   4   3
Mihai Carolus Maro (NTN)              6   6

Juan subdula (NKO)                    6   7
Ceallachán Amhlaoibh (FCF)            4   5

Albergaria: Doubles Qualifying, Round 1

Mihai Carolus Maro/Claudius Ion Varro (NTN)                   6   6
Albert Yong/Freepan Jer (UNV)                                 3   1

Muireann Ó Gnímh/ Magnus Larsen (MEL)                         3   2
Llinos Cairistìona / Säde Kaja (FCF)                          6   6

Fabiano Bishop/Sebas Hariri (EFL)                             6   6
Jack Harper/Joseph Bennett (NDO)                              3   1

Luciano Ziccardino IV/Colonel Selav Tukerawan (VKL)           6   3   8
Kyle Washington/ Julia devoningstan (NKO)                     4   6  10

Kiersten Bullock/Reina Jaber (EFL)                            4   7  10
Niken subdula/ Juan subdula (NKO)                             6   6   2

Jenny Olofsson/ Peter Olofsson (MEL)                          1   3
Bradley Tang/Matthew Arp (UNV)                                6   6

Birger Gwil / Hermanni Conall (FCF)                           6   6
Toby Lindberg/ Aoife Morrow (MEL)                             1   1

Thom McDonald/ Martha Dolan (MEL)                             1   6   1
Iohanna Márcia Enderssen-Moura/Maria Cláudia Amúlio (NTN)     6   4  10

EDIT 1: Logo
EDIT 2: Removing incorrect match

[Northwest Kalactin]

Surprisingly we did well we usually don’t do very well in tennis tournaments the only one to lose in the singles was Niken subdula meanwhile Julia devoningstan beat Sean Larson Kyle Washington beat Richard told and Juan subdula beat ceallachen amhlaoibh then we did average in doubles Niken and Juan subdula lost 10-2 in a big game and then Kyle and Julia won their game in a nail biter so overall we are doing good it would be nice to see our competitors win their next game so bye there’s your recap of today’s matches.

[Ferret Civilization]

Euan and Milla had a fun time going around the colony recruiting all the old team, Alwyn was the easiest as he went from his military service to going into higher education at the place Euan worked. Though it took him away from his studies it was promised special things could be worked out for him if he wanted to go back to playing tennis in foreign lands. Which he was willing to agree to, then it was moving onto the others, ranging from farmers to public workers. Eventually bringing all the old team back together to start up for a third time the Ferret team. With the smaller event size not everyone would be able to jump right back into playing the game to represent the nation abroad. So they would be broken up, which was a funny start, to start off.

The first event they would be getting back into would be the Albergaria Open, while not everyone would get to take part in the event the government tried to fit in as many players as possible in. Leading to those playing in the single’s side of the event and double’s side of the event being different individuals. Meaning that this time once and individual or pair was out, they would be out for good during these games. Of course since all their time off and not doing so excellent when they did play, they all had to go through that fun process of qualifying which was their only chance to do any form of well. At least, and it always has to be mentioned, they got to enjoy a free vacation in an exotic lands.

“Back to the land of giants.” As Alwyn had put it when they had arrived. And indeed, to the tallest individual Ferret, which stood between three feet to a meter, Humans and their stuff were pretty tall to even their shortest of standards. Getting used to using their standards of tennis racket size and travel distance on the court were sure to be fun as well in all their minds. It had been too when they did it, especially whenever they won or rare cases impressed other players, as it proved they had a chance. Which is all they really wanted, as after all this time it was finally agreed that they would have no real chance of winning, and they as a nation should not push for that. That was a start to what their goals as a program was suppose to be, as before it was just do whatever.

The team was most surprised to learn that Ástríður had managed to retain her rank after all this time to still be able to get right into the actual game. It meant the team would be able to stay until the official games started with one player still in it, which was great until Euan finished with who she would go up against. A Dominika Lisicki, ranked seventh overall in the sports competition, which ended the good news with a good laugh, as that hope spot ended as soon as they got it. Be up to see who won the qualifiers to see if any of them actually had a chance.

Once set up in the lands of Costa de Ouro it was time for the real crash course reminder in tennis, beginning only really once they were in the game against other professional players. Alwyn started off with a youthful vigor against a tough opponent that made doing anything difficult in typical fashion. Getting throttled and a reality waker for the whole team in the second set. Only to pull through neatly in the end starting everyone off in a good mood. Dagmar was lucky in hindsight to get a shorter but more intense game starting off just as strong as her more youthful teammate but managing to hold onto it for the second set werring down her opponent before Paula Blomqvist did her. It was all set up for Ceallachán to make for a perfect singles day, though he somehow managed to hold onto some of his poorer luck and the day was just not his. Not able to keep up with his opponent at all, and while there was some good chances for him to do that, he was unable to fully take advantage of them, in the end losing in a swift two sets in the reverse of Dagmar’s game.

It was a seemingly mixed but mostly positive qualifier start, much like they had in the past, leading into the doubles side of the qualifiers. This time with fresh players instead of a mixed bag of whoever had to take part in the singles side. Both their pairs would be facing off from an apparently new national team of Melbergia, Dagmar did well against one of their players on the single side, if that was any kind of learning event. Llinos and Säde got off to a poor start but were quickly able to recover and deny their opponents the win, thus winning the first set and pulling off the same set win a second time winning the game. While Birger and Hermanni were, unlike any of the others for their start, completely thrash their competition all the way leading to two quick sets. In the end the doubles side of their team was able to get through with a one hundred percent win rate. Something that would change by the morrow but they would take what they could get in the moment.

After the day’s games were all over in a collectivist fashion they enjoyed their free time together getting ready for the next day’s games. Alwyn swung his tennis racket side to side, it still had a brand new smell to it, “This still takes some time to get used too, really tripped you up there
Ceallachán, better luck next time right.” He paused to dodge Ceallachán swiping at him, “Ástríður, do you think you will lose worse or better?” He laughed as he dodged Ástríður swiping at him.

“Going to enjoy mocking when you lose this time Alwyn, did not change a bit.” Ceallachán said once Alwyn was clear of being smacked by anyone in the group. This was pretty much going to be a reunion for most of them, and it was looking to be off to a great start. “Since I got nothing better to do now, Ástríður do you want to practice?”

“Absolutely.”

[Costa de Ouro]

Albergaria: Singles Qualification, Round 1

Ioana Amúlio Constantinescu (NTN)     6   2   3
Joseph Bennett (NDO)                  4   6   6

Luciano Ziccardino IV (VKL)           6   3   7
Cláudius Ion Varro (NTN)              4   6   6

Albergaria: Singles Qualification, Round 2

Ralph Newkärn (BRI)                   6   6
Julia Devoningstan (NKO)              4   1

Aljaž Corluka (MTJ)                   6   6
Martina Anger (VKL)                   2   1

Alwyn Pedr (FCF)                      6   6
Juana Reio (VKL)                      2   2

Sukaina Yunan (EFL)                   2   6   6
Jack Harper (NDO)                     6   4   7

Aljaž Corluka (MTJ)                   6   6
Freepan Jer (UNV)                     1   4

Dagmar Liùsaidh (FCF)                 6   6
Kyle Washington (NKO)                 3   3

Mihai Carolus Maro (NTN)              1   7   5
Juan subdula (NKO)                    6   5   7

Joseph Bennett (NDO)                  3   6   6
Luciano Ziccardino IV (VKL)           6   2   1

Winners of Round 2 qualify. Lucky losers: Julia Devoningstan (NKO), Kyle Washington (NKO)

Albergaria - Doubles Qualification, Round 2

Mihai Carolus Maro/Claudius Ion Varro (NTN)                   2   2
Llinos Cairistìona / Säde Kaja (FCF)                          6   6

Fabiano Bishop/Sebas Hariri (EFL)                             6   2  10
Kyle Washington/ Julia devoningstan (NKO)                     0   6   2

Kiersten Bullock/Reina Jaber (EFL)                            7   6
Bradley Tang/Matthew Arp (UNV)                                6   4

Birger Gwil / Hermanni Conall (FCF)                           2   6  10
Iohanna Márcia Enderssen-Moura/Maria Cláudia Amúlio (NTN)     6   3   5

Winners of Round 2 qualify.

[Northwest Kalactin]

As you can see only Juan subdula will be participating for northwest Kalactin in the real part he has passed qualifiers and let’s hope we can have him get a good spot by doing bettter in qualifiers meanwhile in Northwest Kalactin things are stirring up after Hue Ñene has taken into consideration the TYHM bill which will raise taxes in order to promote government spending which could upset northwest kalactanians that could lead to an uprising hopefully that won’t happen by the way that is a worse case scenario so that probably won’t happen anyways please wish Juan subdula good luck in his upcoming matches.

[Ferret Civilization]

The next day in the end would go infinitely better than their start, though what life gives it takes away, their future games were not going to be so bright after the qualifiers. Which that was pretty normal sadly as they never had a long enough run to start pushing past that routine like maybe how the other big player teams did it. Start of the day none of this was a concern however, it was eat the morning meal of meats and other heavy protein food stuff and then preparations for the games. With Euan, Ceallachán, and Ástríður on the sidelines for today, a group which grew as time went on.

Alwyn started off his game strong, doing his best to make sure that nothing got past him and trying to not mess himself over with serving and return mistakes. Managing to keep a comfortable place in the lead with the score and matches to win the two sets thus the game. Dagmar pulled through in much the same way however she dealt with a tougher opponent and had to play more at ease to not burn herself out over one match just to lose the rest of the set. It ended up working just as well for her in the end, coming out with a win meaning that for today, everyone that played on the singles side of the day’s games got through. Granted it was only two team members playing but like always, take what they could get.

Llinos and Säde got their game off to a start hitting hard and fast early on to coast through the rest of the set playing more defensively. Trying to make it so their competition wore themselves out faster than they did themselves. And somehow staying true to the luck the team had been getting, they were able to pull a win within a quick two sets instead of having to drag it out in a third. Birger and Hermanni started off on a mistake play, messing up whatever the team had going for them with the loss of the first set. However not willing to go out in two quick sets the pair did all they could do to pull together some winning matches. And the third set was some earlier brutality of a set, leading to a rare ten-five, with the Ferrets with the surprising ten at the end of it. All for a chance to just end up losing the first rounds of the actual games. Though for today, everyone that played won, which was a special kind of occasion.

The next part of this event is where they would end up losing hard and fast with games. Ástríður already had to go up against a highly ranked player that would be fresh and ready to go. While she herself only had some on the fly getting back into the game by practicing with a bummed out Ceallachán. Euan, getting back into tracking the overall competition and seeing who they would be going up against tried to let the team know who they would be going up against next. Alwyn it seemed would be going up against a ranked player, then possibly in a cruel twist of fate against the best player in the international tennis scene. That possible news shot his happy kind of cocky attitude down a bit in a playful manner, with a laugh from everyone else. Dagmar would play against another qualifier that managed to win the games they had just played. And that if she won she would possibly go up against Ástríður, or the seventh best player in tennis she lost to. Which in the end meant even if the by some miracle all won, once again it would be impossible for them to all get through later on because they would have to face each other early on.

The news was just as bleak for the two pair players on the team, with Llinos and Säde possibly going up against the fourth best double team in the tennis world. With Birger and Hermanni going up against a high ranked team, just not one of the top ten best ones, which they took what they could get. However even if they won, they would either be playing against their team members Llinos and Säde or the fourth best team that they lost to. Which would probably turn out just like how it would for their singles side teammates. And if Euan did it right with the information the game organizers gave, would probably mean that they would all be done by the second day of the event. Only hope was if Euan did something wrong with matching up who was who number wise.

So they had to do what they could best, enjoy the sights of the large city and see what kind of a night scene it had it offer. Since the nation overall had a heavy focus on tourism and hosting international events it was not all that hard to find and enjoy. And the people, humans, for the most part, took accommodating what was probably an acid trip of a creature pretty well overall. A few on the team tried the local fish and drinks, despite the home news of the growing risks they took by doing that. Them just being there in the foreign environment was not healthy, so why not go all out for it, only lived once right. There was of course the beaches and the oceans to check out, which from their times in the nation of Ceni for their tennis events, some of them had also come to enjoy when killing themselves eating was not as fun.

Since there was going to be a break between this event and the next one taking place in the city Antillia of this nation. On top of the fact that it was a near certainty that none of them would be playing until the end of this game, that they should just out of pocket a tourist getaway to see the rest of the nation on their own. Something that they did not do the last time they had visited the nation for the international tennis scene. It was an idea for the most part that would begin to grow on them depending on how the games went. They certainly did not lack the resources to do such a thing, only trouble they would have to go through was seeing if Costa de Ouro customs or whatever immigration department would allow them to stay longer. As well as dealing with locals that were going to be more foreign to them as they were the other way around.

[Ceni]

---

Thotan and Nagya retire from professional tennis

---

Cenian tennis players Ellela Thotan and Ciache Nagya - two veterans of the game - announced their retirement from professional tennis at the press conference a week after the NSTT finals, citing their old age and the increasing demands of the pro game.

Thotan, 36, and Nagya, 33, have been on the circuit for years, playing both singles and doubles. But both had the feeling that their careers were coming to an end at the NSTT Finals, approaching the final match. "Both of us are getting fairly old for the pro tour," said Nagya, "and before the NSTT Finals, we had considered retiring if we did especially poorly. We didn't - but we just felt so exhausted after the final match. That told us that our initial instincts were right."

Both described their favorite surface as clay, which is understandable, as three of their four titles came on the clay courts of the early-year Astyrian Series. Steadfastly refusing to adopt the standard net play of most top doubles teams, the pairing adopted successful tactics of strong returns and groundstrokes, with curving backhands and forehands good enough to outwit the best volleyers on any day. Communication was also one of their strong suits, and that helped them win defeats over some of the world's top teams.

The pair ended their year on a high note, winning the NSTT Finals in Mercedini in their last match together. They also combined to win the Paradise City Open in January of 2017 and reached the final of the Astyrian Slam, losing to current world #1 pair Mark Southgate and Megan Elliott. In 2016, the pairing lifted the trophies in Neu Engollon and in Nova Lisboa, both on clay. Nagya also achieved some success in the singles game, winning the Electrum Slam in 2016, before retiring from singles to focus on her doubles game at the end of the year.

After their performance in Mercedini, the two will end their careers ranked number four in doubles.

Neither player intends to abandon tennis entirely, and both told Cenisport that they would likely work with talented youth to train the next Ardil Navsal or Botack Andiam. "I'd like to give back to our community and our country," said Thotan. "Tennis is part of my blood, and while I can't play the pro game any more, I can still remain connected to the sport I love."

[New Gelderland]

RESHUFFLING IN THE TEAM FOR 2018

Members of the New Gelderlish tennis team have announced several changes in doubles partnerships, and some retirements in the singles, as the 2018 tennis season is just starting in sunny Costa de Ouro.

First, Mark Southgate and Megan Elliott both announced that they would retire from singles to focus on doubles. The singles world number five, who recently reached the semifinals at the World Tour Finals in Mercedini, had an epiphany at that tournament about his participation. "I'm not getting any younger playing tennis," he said. "Playing both singles and doubles at a tournament, especially when I'm in the semis or finals of both events, is just getting more and more physically taxing, and I'm not sure I can do it any more." Elliott, who plays much less singles than Southgate, agreed. "I only started to play singles reluctantly, and I've enjoyed playing doubles much more, so it was an easy decision to make."

Second, the number 2 and number 3 Gelderlish doubles teams will be shuffling around their players. The teams of Jack Algernon and Andrew Lamar, ranked number fifth, and Liam Penderyn and Harry Blackwood, ranked third, will now become teams of Lamar/Penderyn and Algernon/Blackwood, respectively. Since the NSTT does not do player rankings in doubles, only rankings of teams, both teams had to petition the NSTT for special dispensation to avoid starting over in the ranks; this was granted, with Lamar and Penderyn assuming the ranking of Penderyn and Blackwood, and vice versa.

All four players said the reason for the switch had to do with tournament logistics. "Since my singles career wasn't as strong, I wanted to focus more on the doubles, while Liam sometimes wanted to focus on the singles instead," said Blackwood. "The same was true with Jack and Andrew, respectively. So we decided to switch up the teams." Penderyn agreed with his former partner's reasoning. "Both Andrew and I want to focus on the singles more, so we don't have to play doubles as often as a partnership. Additionally, I think that Andrew and I have more complimentary styles of play, as do Jack and Harry. Really, I think that both teams will do better as a result." Algernon and Blackwood both also indicated that they would play singles less and less, giving openings to newer players like Max Aswick and Noah Lennox who haven't had as much singles experience.

Algernon and Blackwood are the first seeds in the doubles competition in Albergaria, while Lamar is first seed in the singles competition. Penderyn, Southgate, and Elliott will all make appearances in the Antillia Masters coming up later this month.

[Costa de Ouro]

Albergaria: Singles Round of 32

Andrew Lamar (NGD)           5   6   6
Halaeo DiGaldi (QAD)         7   1   1

Feyrord Poniac (QAD)         1   4
Aljaž Isaac (EFL)            6   6

Neia Dovan (CEN)             6   4   7
Derek Dubrovnik (BRI)        3   6   5

Maria Julenic (MTJ)          6   6
Alex Sanders (TOB)           0   1

Dominika Lisicki (MTJ)       5   1
Ástríður Eydís (FCF)         7   6

Alwyn Pedr (FCF)             6   6
Juan subdula (NKO)           3   3

Stephanie Brown (NGD)        6   6   6
Julia Devoningstan (NKO)     7   3   1

Noah Lennox (NGD)            4   6   6
Joseph Bennett (NDO)         6   3   1

Andy Amada (CEN)             6   6
Kyle Anderson (BRI)          2   3

Dagmar Liùsaidh (FCF)        6   6
Rog Ion Tralito (NTN)        3   3

Paisley Brazzos (QAD)        2   6   3
Paul Chinra (TOB)            6   1   6

Ralph Newkärn (BRI)          0   6
Max Aswick (NGD)             6   7

Jaxton Monty (QAD)           6   6
Kyle Washington (NKO)        2   4

Jack Harper (NDO)            0   6
Giorgio Irani (EFL)          6   7

Lonus Varalin (CEN)          6   6   6
Mattias Burges (MTJ)         4   7   3

Aljaž Corluka (MTJ)          4   6
Marisa Maradona (CEN)        6   7

[Ferret Civilization]

A little sick was always some way to start of the bright new day, when yesterday’s night out caught up with one. Right on the start of the Albergaria Open too for that extra kick, though since it was the round of thirty two only three of them had to really get through a game, the rest of the team had an easy one off. Just a little handicap that kept them in the official game longer to keep everyone around. Bright new day, time to get dressed up and ready for the Humans, eat the morning meal, get down to the sports stadium and hope that one is more up to the task of competing than the next fellow.

Ástríður was up for her game, with only a little bit of crash course training help from Ceallachán and watching the others in the team play. It was time to take up the racket in a real game, against Dominika Lisicki from Mattijana, there was not much of a chance that she would win. Not in these circumstances, only could hope that she could prove that she was worthy of taking part in losing at the end. Once on the court and the game started it was truly taxing on Ástríður to keep up, but in the end she did most the time, turning usually quick sets into long ones in a drawn out attempt to win the match. It stayed neck to neck tied up in an intense game to see who would come out on top. Which in the end of the first match, the Ferret came ahead, a well fought for match that was not made easy at all by her competition. The second match would fare no better in simpliness, more long and drawn out sets to win the match. Both sides doing seemingly doing all they could to win. Having her team for support in the stands and a second win from a starting win she pulled through to win the second match and thus the game. After thanking Dominika for a great game she parted to go celebrate with her fellow team members after the game was over.

Alwyn ended up going against the qualifying player Juan Subdula that had managed to beat out Ceallachán at the very start of this event. Armed with a little more knowledge on how they played on the court from a team member’s experience compared to just watching it was a better hope to the start of the game. It ended up not being too much of an exciting game, with the two taking advantage of getting a set where ever they could in an attempt to win. The game was a bit of a conundrum for Alwyn, if he won here, he would move on to face Ástríður in the round of sixteen which would mean it was guaranteed that one of the team would be able to move on to the quarterfinals. However if he lost it changed to a chance to get to that place, either way in the end it probably would be him losing. Though for the current game going on against Juan, Alwyn was pulling through with the wins taking the game and something to poke fun at Ceallachán with.

Dagmar went into her game somewhere between Ástríður and Alwyn when it came to her competition’s officially listed ranking compared to all the other players in the international tennis field. And it seemed like it was a good base to see just how hard the game would be. With in usual fashion was pretty tough, back and forth across the wide court to hit a big ball with an oversized tennis racket was something that was probably an under admired thing a Ferret had to do in order to competition against the other players in the sport. It really took a lot of stamina to pull off, which was nothing special as everyone needed to have some level of good stamina in order to compete in the game. The lead went back and forth during the start of the first set, as Dagmar was fresher and ready to go just like her competition, only able to get the set at the end. Leading into a strong start in the second set that started to waiver in the closing sets, however she was able to keep her wits about her and pull out the win for the game.

Like yesterday, everyone that played won their games, which was a more incredible feat than it was last time those hours ago. Llinos, Säde, Birger, and Hermanni already knew what they would be going up against in tomorrow’s series of games. Ástríður after her nearly impossible game win got it easy with Alwyn as they would just have a fun game against each other like they did when these odd situations happened before. Dagmar however got to deal with a nightmare of an upcoming game, going up against Andy Amada from Ceni, very appropriately ranked second best in the field. There was even less hope for her getting through than there was for Ástríður. That would be it, only one of them were getting through to the quarterfinals in this event. And Euan keeping track of every possible player that they could face, it would probably end for them there on the singles side as then they would probably go up against the third best player in the field Stephanie Brown from New Gelderland. And that would be it for their story, as the doubles side of their team usually went just as fast as the singles side. It was looking like they would only get two more days to enjoy the place and sights.

After all the games were over Dagmar and Ceallachán decided to check out the beach and see what it was like this time around. “Remember when we were all fresh and just starting out all that time ago. Ainsley had managed to take on an entire olympic tennis event and come out with the first place gold. And everyone was so excited that the government grew the program for us to get involved. That Astyrian Series 2016 was the best for us was it not. Seemed like we got a strong case of beginners luck with who we were to go up against. I had to go up against the seventh best at the time Neia Dovan from Ceni instead of her better ranked sister Kika Dovan that was the best player at the time. Which if that did not happen I probably would not have won at all. Now after all this time all we have done is try not to lose, seems like we lost that spark that started us of you know.”

“Whoa where has this come from, I remember you winning the Paradise City Open and Cadenza Clay. I also remember I was one that never really did well to Alwyn’s amusement probably. However you got through with an incredibly laid back attitude that drove me crazy, it worked for you. What is this, now, I get that we have all changed, it was been quite some time. But do not start down this now that we have all agreed that this does not matter anymore.”

The swell of a multitude of drops rising and receding tide creating its noisy background effect. “It was nice though.” Ceallachán could only hmm in agreement to that. It was, but that time had past time, no one was going for the long term and now that it had past them by there was no way that any of them would make it to the big times anymore before having to go into retirement or dropping dead. They were however suppose to be enjoying doing this, which they were, the spread out vacations never lost their appeal. Euan meanwhile in another part of the city was seeing where he would have to go to discuss extending their time in Costa de Ouro.

[Costa de Ouro]

Albergaria: Singles - Round of 16

Andrew Lamar (NGD)        6   6
Aljaž Isaac (EFL)         2   2

Neia Dovan (CEN)          6   7
Maria Julenic (MTJ)       2   6

Ástríður Eydís (FCF)      3   1
Alwyn Pedr (FCF)          6   6

Stephanie Brown (NGD)     3   6   6
Noah Lennox (NGD)         6   3   4

Andy Amada (CEN)          7   3   6
Dagmar Liùsaidh (FCF)     5   6   7

Paul Chinra (TOB)         3   4
Max Aswick (NGD)          6   6

Jaxton Monty (QAD)        6   6
Giorgio Irani (EFL)       3   1

Lonus Varalin (CEN)       7   6
Marisa Maradona (CEN)     5   2

Albergaria: Doubles - Round of 16

Jack Algernon/Harry Blackwood (NGD)        6   6
Terry Reben/Icy Mellows (QAD)              3   4

Julian Slavic/ Lara Basic (MTJ)            2   7  10
Paul Chinra/Alex Sanders (TOB)             6   5   8

Jill Clarke/Melissa Herbert (NGD)          6   6
Kiersten Bullock/Reina Jaber (EFL)         4   2

Llinos Cairistìona / Säde Kaja (FCF)       7   6
Sarah Johnson/Jane Smith (TOB)             6   4

Leo Garry/Elizabeth Quehall (BRI)          6   6
Mans Zowzer/Timmy Yukon (QAD)              2   4

Dominika Lisicki/Rikard Kampl (MTJ)        6   3
Coosal Darlcheri/Gyrachor Rentos (CEN)     7   6

Perger Rianor/Ricpeer Rianor (CEN)         7   6
Fabiano Bishop/Sebas Hariri (EFL)          5   1

Birger Gwil / Hermanni Conall (FCF)        7   6
Jaguar Zenteanite/Zeke Newham (BRI)        6   0

[Ferret Civilization]

When the sun rose to brighten the new day the room the Ferrets were staying in still smelled like the ocean from yesterday’s expedition to the beach. Over a breakfast of local fish Ástríður and Alwyn discussed which one of them deserved to win more and potentially go up against the third best player Stephanie Brown. Everyone besides Ceallachán got to play in the day’s games, however it was already guaranteed that one would be joining him, and hope was still low for the other players on getting through. But everyone would still play to the best of their ability in an attempt to bring back some of that old glory.

Starting off with Ástríður versus Alwyn spectators would not get to watch a lot of action that other games had happen. They still did not really know how other teams did it but within their own little family they did not have much of a real rivalry spark, it was already hard enough going up against the other fielded teams. The entire game pretty much consisted of hitting the ball back and forth to each other, really was suppose to be an easy game day for them. Practice on the serve was nice however, and Ástríður slowly gave the matches to Alwyn. It was set up to be a joke, since neither of them felt like they would win the next game. Be a fun thing to rub against Ceallachán for a day, then Alwyn would lose hard but it would be worth it. Poking fun would start up right after their game was over and Alwyn was the official winner moving on it the event.

Dagmar was going to be facing a tougher opponent on paper than Ástríður had to deal with, Andy Amada would probably be the end of the line for her in this event. It would not however be the first time they met on the court, it did not go well all that time ago either. Back in the Cenian Open 2016, Dagmar was ranked the tenth best player in the tennis world at the time, it was a glorious time for the Ferrets, and she made it to go up against the ranked eighth best player, Andy Amada. Despite all the hope and the luck they had at the time she got crushed in three straight matches to lose the game against the Cenian. Then afterwards due to government inaction and indecision the team would not get to play much after that. As the high start wore off. And Dagmar, unlike Ástríður, would end up slipping so far down in ranking on paper that she had to start in the qualifiers again, were as the Cenian Andy and the nation’s built up tennis fame, would go on up in ranks to get to the second best place where they were now.

A Cenian news outlet, one of the few to take notice of the breakout team, noted the rise and fall of Dagmar. This time it was no old versus the new, and no one would probably remember this being a rematch, one the Ferrets thought would just end in another loss. Though this time, there would be no one around to care. As the government and their goal had lowered the bar so low for them they could not trip over that. Ceallachán had to remind Dagmar that is where she did her best however, when she did not care and no one was pressuring her to win like it had grown to be. So she was happy with herself now, no matter the outcome.

And, in the game set against the two, it showed. It was hard, it was gruelling, and it was a sure to be a show for anyone watching. Ferrets always looked up to the Cenian players, and always knew that whenever they had to play against them it was never going to be a pleasant experience. Though Dagmar made Andy work for every set, keeping the score as close to tied all the way until the end of the match. Granted it was a loss but it was a well earned loss. With both sides keeping up the action into the second match, this time the tides turned to Dagmar’s favor, winning more sets to gain a lead and win it. Bringing once again into a third match, though this time she was not getting horribly destroyed. If the first match had been a close thing the third was a whole lot worse. With both of them putting in their all, coming down to one final set for the whole game. One that would drag on as neither of them wanted to lose. Though it would be Dagmar to take the game, as impossible as it was from all the way back to when the team was just starting out. The Ferrets had not lost it after all it seemed, there would be a lot of celebrating over this, and most likely some noise complaints from where ever they did that. Not wanting to be rude however as they were still big fans of the Cenian players they had faced from all that time ago Dagmar made sure after the game was over and the players said their good game to ask if Andy wanted to catch up and join them.

However the game day was still not over and they still had their doubles side to worry about. Though going off the high of the singles side impossible win Llinos, Säde, Birger, and Hermanni would be sure to give it their all. And their all they did give it, with both the pairs getting a hard first match, and the same end scores. Llinos and Säde however had their work cut out for them, as Sarah Johnson and Jane Smith from the other side also gave it quite the effort in the second match. Probably to try and drag it to a third match to tire out the Ferrets faster than they would tire out. Though in the end the pair managed to stay on top of the game to take it for a win. Birger and Hermanni during their second match were able to one up their team members by completely shutting down Jaguar Zenteanite and Zeke Newham from making any points to take the game for the win.

With the game day over Euan quickly checked to see how things were going in the event. They would continue to have it harder as all the high ranked players started to run into them. They had originally felt like tomorrow would be the day they would have to pack up and be out of the event though today they felt a little better. Right now they were the only team fielded that were still qualifiers, a reminder of the days when they started and had a similar situation happen to them. Alwyn was still sure he was going to lose against Stephanie Brown, he never had the luck Dagmar had, and even if he did he would probably have to go up against the best player Andrew Lamar, or a Cenian Neia Dovan. He was not sure which was worse if he was able to win this next game. And on the doubles side their pairs would have to go up against the third and fourth best doubles tennis team players. With the reward for a possible win just going up against the first and second best doubles team players. It was rather bleak but right now they did not worry about it, they were excited still from Dagmar able to win.

Things may have looked terrible, but when the sun was going down in the late afternoon the team had gotten their food and decided to enjoy one of the best places to them possible, back at the beach. With plenty of laughing and playing in the sand and all that young behavior to remind them of the times past. Reminiscing and overall just being nostalgic, followed up with a sand fight just to make a mess of everything. They had the ocean water to wash off in anyways before heading back to where they were staying. For now, during this day, would be a good time in their memory, no matter had poorly reality gave it to them tomorrow.

[Ceni]

---

Albergaria Open: rounds 1 and 2 roundup

---

Sixth seed Neia Dovan faced a scare in the opening round against Britonisea's Derek Dubrovnik, whose low ranking belies his quality as a player, as the Britonish federation doesn't send their players to many tournaments. She took the first set 6-3 but soon found herself losing the second 6-4 and down 5-3 in the third, with Dubrovnik serving. However, she mounted a last minute scramble, winning the next four games to take the match with a combination of good serving and pinpoint backhand winners. In the second round, she easily took the first set against Mattijana's Maria Julenic 6-2. The second set was more of a contest, as Julenic resisted Dovan's attempts to break serve, but Dovan closed it out in the tiebreaker. She will face first seed Andrew Lamar in the quarterfinals.

Second seed and a two-time Albergaria finalist Andy Amada swatted aside Britonisea's Kyle Anderson in the first round, 6-2, 6-3, showing off his clay-court skills to earn a date with Ferret Civilization's Dagmar Liusaidh, a stellar clay court player who has won several minor titles on the surface, in the second round. Amada, too, has won titles on this surface, including 2016's Nova Lisboa tournament on similar courts, and defeated a red-hot Dagmar here two years ago, who had just come off soundly defeating the world number one Ardil Navsal. The short ferrets have seemed to like these slow clay courts, but have displayed a weakness against big servers such as Amada, who managed to eke out a win in the first set, 7-5, as Dagmar managed to hold on to most of her service games despite her short stature. However, in her absence from the tour, Dagmar seemed to improve her reading of Amada's serve, and she broke him twice in the second set to set up a third set showdown. The third set ended, fittingly, in a tiebreak, which was tense until an inch-perfect lob from the ferret sealed the deal on the last point.

Clay court specialist and world number 15 Lonus Varalin, who is currently trying to eke out a return to the top ten, had another tough test in the form of Mattijana's Mattias Burges, from a rising star nation on the tennis circuit. It was a sandwich match as Burges took the second set 7-6, surrounded by sets that Varalin won.
In the second round, he defeated former AOpen and Antillia Masters champion Marisa Maradona, who has since faded out of the spotlight, comfortably, 7-5, 6-2. He will face eighth seed Jaxton Monty of Qasden in the quarterfinals.

In the doubles, unseeded Coosal Darlcheri and Gyrachor Rentos, formerly in the top 5, defeated Mattijana's pairing of Lisicki and Kampl in two tight sets. The two pairs contrasted in styles, as the net-charging Cenians had to fend off the Mattijanans, who were perfectly happy to stay at the baseline and hit passing shot and lob winners. Ultimately, a few key points in the first set tiebreaker and one loose service game from Lisicki and Kampl in the second set saw them through to the quarterfinals, where they will face second seeds Leo Garry and Elizabeth Quehall of Britonisea. Perger and Ricpeer Rianor, seeded third, had an almost equivalent scoreline; qualifiers Fabiano Bishop and Sebas Hariri of Eastfield Lodge troubled them briefly in the first set before the brothers defeated the pairing solidly in the second set.

[New Gelderland]

ALBERGARIA ROUNDS 1 AND 2 ROUNDUP

First-seeded Andrew Lamar tackled world number thirty-three Halaeo DiGaldi of Qasden, a consistent but not spectacular player, in the first round. The first set was tight, and it went the way of the Qasdonian, as an errant double-fault in the twelfth game sealed Lamar's fate. However, the NSTT Finals champion, known for his forehand and occasional serve-and-volley tactics, came roaring right back despite that loss, taking the next two sets 6-1 apiece. The twenty-one-year old stormed past Eastfield Lodge's qualifier Aljaz Isaac, who had only won one NSTT main draw match before this in his career, in straight sets, both 6-2. He will face Ceni's Neia Dovan in the quarterfinals.

Third-seeded Stephanie Brown, ranked number eight in the world after winning last year's Antillia Masters tournament on clay, had a tougher than expected first round test against Julia Devoningstan of Northwest Kalactin, who entered the main draw as a lucky loser (incidentally, Northwest Kalactin's media had not evidently noticed this, claiming that only one of their players had advanced). The lucky loser took the first set in the tiebreak after a series of Brown errors, but the second and third sets were more to form as the third seed crushed Devoningstan. Next, Brown would take on fellow Gelderlish player Noah Lennox, who defeated New Doltanian qualifier Joseph Bennett in the first round in a tight three-set clash. An up-and-coming youngster, Lennox took the first set against his older compatriot, but Brown quickly came back to take the next two. She will face qualifier Alwyn Pedr in the quarterfinals.

Max Aswick, Lennox's doubles partner, bageled Britonish qualifier Ralph Newkarn in the first set of their first round encounter, but the second set was more intense as the qualifier took the set to a tiebreak. However, from the moment the first point was played, it was clear that Aswick had the upper hand; a series of groundstroke and return winners allowed him to take the set and the match. In the next round, he upset Tobiasia's number two player, Paul Chinra, in straight sets. The world number 31 offered little resistance, allowing Aswick to break him three times in total during the match and sending him to the quarterfinals, where he will face Dagmar Liusaidh of the Ferret Civilization - who just upset number two seed Andy Amada.

In the doubles, first seeds Jack Algernon and Harry Blackwood, playing together for the first time, didn't look too shabby against Qasden's Terry Reben and Icy Mellows. The Gelderlish pair absolutely dominated together at the net, as the right-handed Blackwood and the left-handed Algernon could cover a lot of ground in the center. Of course, stellar returning didn't hurt, either, as they landed a spot in the quarterfinals against Julian Slazic and Lara Basic of Mattijana. Jill Clarke and Melissa Herbert, number thirteen in the world, have a game suited to clay, with groundstrokes and returns emphasized, and that showed in their dominant win over the qualifiers Bullock and Jaber of Eastfield Lodge. They earned a spot in the quarterfinals against Cairistiona and Kaja of the Ferret Civilization: while doing well in the singles, they haven't done so well in the doubles, likely due to their short stature which means they can't cover the net as effectively.

[Costa de Ouro]

Albergaria: Singles - Quarterfinals

Andrew Lamar (NGD)        6   2   6
Neia Dovan (CEN)          3   6   4

Alwyn Pedr (FCF)          6   1   6
Stephanie Brown (NGD)     2   6   2

Dagmar Liùsaidh (FCF)     4   7   6
Max Aswick (NGD)          6   5   4

Jaxton Monty (QAD)        4   7   3
Lonus Varalin (CEN)       6   6   6

Albergaria: Doubles - Quarterfinals

Jack Algernon/Harry Blackwood (NGD)        6   4  10
Julian Slavic/ Lara Basic (MTJ)            2   6   7

Jill Clarke/Melissa Herbert (NGD)          7   6
Llinos Cairistìona / Säde Kaja (FCF)       6   3

Leo Garry/Elizabeth Quehall (BRI)          0   6   7
Coosal Darlcheri/Gyrachor Rentos (CEN)     6   3  10

Perger Rianor/Ricpeer Rianor (CEN)         2   4
Birger Gwil / Hermanni Conall (FCF)        6   6

[Ferret Civilization]

Waking up to the smell of the ocean was always a positive start to the day, and even if they all horribly lost their games today they felt like they would still have a net positive outlook on the event. All of them were proud of each other for getting to where they were now after pretty much restarting from scratch in the tennis game. And being in the quarterfinals as just a bunch of qualifier players was nothing to scoff at, though they could laugh at it. With less and less players playing in the event as it narrowed down gave them more and more free time afterwards to enjoy themselves or practice, but mostly play.

Alwyn would get to start the day off with pressure from Ceallachán to not mess this up, and being his overconfident self on the outside showed off a he would not. And for going up against the third best player on paper in the tennis field he really did show it in the first match. Starting off strong taking the first sets of the game, only losing two times due to being outpaced but in the end pulling through with all he had. The second match fell out of his favor as Stephanie Brown returned everything he gave and then some, thoroughly smashing him. However like a pendulum the luck that he seemingly pulled from Dagmar went back to his favor. Able to secure the later end of the game for himself to take the game win. Which was so unbelievable Alwyn was ready for another match thinking he was not even close to getting through. Taking a second to get through that he really won and was really going onto the semifinals. There was already the high for today barely matched by yesterday’s impossible win.

Dagmar, while not going up against a big scary seeded opponent, was not going to have an easy day. As by this point in the event every other player was well qualified to be there and go for the win. So she took the start easy on herself, losing early on sets to just see how the game would be before ramping up the effort against Max Aswick from New Gelderland. With the first set done with and odds now stacked against her if she slipped up she increased the effort to win. Which did not just equate to her taking the game, as her opponent stayed right with her the whole way. Only able to take the game before it turned into another tiebreaker match. The third set she had to tone it down from still feeling yesterday’s game but was able to match the competition. Turning the first set’s score around in her favor to take the game. Which would only increase the excitement everyone on the team was feeling.

After the singles side of the day’s games were over Euan made sure to see who they would be going up against in the semifinals. Alwyn’s award for winning against Stephanie Brown was to go up against the best player on paper Andrew Lamar, who was from the same nation as Stephanie. Dagmar’s reward for winning was to go up against the fourth best player in the tennis field Lonus Varalin, from Ceni. The mountain of a climb was looking to end at a sheer cliff face now but that bothered no one. The two would happily go into their games tomorrow and take whatever they got. And the exciting part, was even if they both lost the team would get to stay for the finals and see which of them would at least get third place. That was exciting for them, no matter what now one of them was guaranteed third place in this event. If they were able to keep up the impossible and win there would be a chance for both of them to end in the top three.

Llinos and Säde would end up trying in vain to keep up with their single side teammates luck at winning. Starting off going back and forth between Jill Clarke and Melissa Herbert only for them to take the first set in a tiebreaker. After giving it their all to get to this point and already being tired in the current game, on top of already having the happy news that their team members were going to get to play on anyways and that they did not have to push themselves. The pair eased up on the second match, which quickly allowed for their competitors to take the game. Birger and Hermanni would start their game just as strong as their fellow pair team members did, only unlike for them, it ended up working for these two. Thoroughly taking the first match for themselves against the third best doubles team players Perger Rianor and Ricpeer Rianor. The Cenians did ramp up the stakes for winning the game in the second set, however the Ferret duo were having none of that. Staying on top of the situation to take the second match and end the game in a win for them without having to go into a third. Which was a surprise to end the day off with as usually their doubles side ended poorly by this point.

Birger and Hermanni’s award for winning would be to go up against another pair of Cenians, Coosal Darlcheri and Gyrachor Rentos. They had managed to beat out the second best doubles players Leo Garry and Elizabeth Quehall from Britonisea. Like Alwyn they were not sure which would have been worse to go up against. However since they had made it to the semifinals they too would get to stay to the finals to at least have a shot for third place, which at the end of the day was more than enough to carry the team’s hope on. And the day had given them plenty to celebrate still. Euan checked again to see how the rest of the event was currently going, they Ferrets were still the only qualifiers fielded in the competition. Another surprise was that there were only three national teams left in the event as well, them from Ferret Civilization, Ceni, and New Gelderland. That was always something they could say they had going for them.

[Costa de Ouro]

Albergaria: Singles - Semifinals

Andrew Lamar (NGD)        6   6
Alwyn Pedr (FCF)          4   0

Dagmar Liùsaidh (FCF)     7   6
Lonus Varalin (CEN)       5   4

Albergaria: Doubles - Semifinals

Jack Algernon/Harry Blackwood (NGD)        6   6
Jill Clarke/Melissa Herbert (NGD)          2   4

Coosal Darlcheri/Gyrachor Rentos (CEN)     7   6
Birger Gwil / Hermanni Conall (FCF)        6   2

[Ferret Civilization]

The mornings to the end of the event were coming to an end, with the semifinals today and the finals tomorrow that would be it. And they were still in the game, the greatest surprise out of all this was that after all this time they still had a shot. Which considering the overall jovial mood it really was all they needed. Today’s games were going to be the greatest struggle to overcome.

Alwyn would end up losing whatever luck he had going for him right at this point of the event, as the skill of the current best player Andrew Lamar outdid that six ways to Sunday. Early game energy all went into barely keeping up with the moves his opponent made. Losing the first match without much to do about it, and the second match would go so much worse for him. Unfortunately unable to keep up the returns or serving the ball, ending with clean zero sets for him against six for Andrew. It was a straightforward and fast game at least.

Was not the greatest way to start off a day when it came to Dagmar’s game. Though it could have been worse and they have been through worse.
She knew whatever the case was to just enjoy the here and the now. Starting off with that same start of the day energy as Alwyn she gave it her all against Lonus Varalin, knowing that the Cenian would be sure to return the favor here. With the sets going back and forth, some quick and some long, the first match slowly fell into Dagmar’s favor. When the first match was hers it was the good news for the game, it would be up to the Cenian to have to work to drag it out to a third match to take the game. Something that the Ferret had to now stop from happening if she was to win. The second match went more slowly as the sets were draw out, the Cenian really showing off that their fielded team deserved the ranks they had. Though Dagmar was able to stay on top of things for the second match, to slowly take the game for her win. Putting her into the finals, against the best player Andrew Lamar. But that was not a thing to be concerned about, she had just managed to at minimum, get second place in the competition, which was more than enough.

Birger and Hermanni would end up dealing with the same fate as Llinos and Säde, starting off as strong as possible against their Cenian opponents just to loss the whole match to a tiebreaker set. Which it would be a lie to say that that did not break them. Making for a quick second match that did not go in their favor at all. Ending the team’s presence for the doubles side of the event.

Even though most the rest of the team playing in the game took hard losses in the day’s games, they still were more than happy that out of all of them, Dagmar was able to rise back up and get a spot in the finals. And when those came, whatever the outcome of it may be, they would be just as happy none the less.

[Costa de Ouro]

Albergaria Singles Final

Andrew Lamar (NGD)        5   4
Dagmar Liùsaidh (FCF)     7   6

Albergaria Doubles Final

Jack Algernon/Harry Blackwood (NGD)        6   6
Coosal Darlcheri/Gyrachor Rentos (CEN)     2   4

And with that, we have a break of a few days before the start of the Antillia Masters - see you then!

[Ferret Civilization]

Final morning, despite the last set of games going mostly unfavorable to the overall team everyone was still so excited hardly anyone could eat breakfast. Unlike what they had originally thought they had managed to stay to see the very end of the games, to be taking part in it. Dagmar would be going up against the best player Andrew Lamar, who had managed to take down Alwyn without much difficulty. Though that did not matter, if Dagmar lost at least she got into the finals, from a qualifying start, a feat only achieved by them when they were just starting out for the first time. The old times sure had a way of coming back from memory throughout all of this. After a small meal and a lot of playing around it was time for the last game of this competition.

On the court it would be all seriousness, Dagmar had worked her way up to this moment. Facing off against a variety of different highly ranked players like Andy Amada and Lonus Varalin. Andrew managed to start off strong, going for an early lead and outpacing the Ferret much like they had done against Alwyn. Dagmar was almost close to losing the first match as he took his fifth set against her four. Now she could have stopped there and hoped for a better second match to drag it out. But she continued to give it her all in the uphill battle against a better player in every way. And it payed off, taking the last grueling three sets for herself to end the game seven sets for her against Andrew’s five. A start that would revitalize the whole team somehow since they were already pretty high off the whole situation.

It must have shook up the competition because Dagmar was able to keep up the aggressiveness in the sets this time to return the favor and take the early lead. Which would be necessary to keep Andrew from dragging it out to a third match to surely take the game then. And by some miracle it worked for the Ferret’s favor, bringing it down to what would end up being her winning set. To take the second match and the game, and the entire competition title. Just like old times, just as impossible to should have been able to pull off. The excitement at that moment was more than enough to explode if it could, the competition was over and one of their own was able to take it once again for herself. All the other parties they had were going to seem small compared to the one they were about to throw tonight.

Collectively looking back on the games, their team was able to knock out the top four ranked players themselves. Dagmar able to win against the best, second best, and fourth best ranked players on the tennis circuit, while Alwyn was able to beat the third best. Really hopefully showing that the team still had a fighting chance after a long time of slipping up overall. They sure had exceeded the expectations set for them back at home. Though now they got to look forward to the next step in the event, a harder and larger competition that was more likely to take them all down a peg. But that was the future, and they had their now to celebrate.