NationStates

Cut-off.

---

Singles Competition - Quarterfinals

Mattias Burges (MTJ)        6   4   6   2   2
Heather Long (AIG)          3   6   4   6   6

Bartholomew Pole (KHD)      6   2   7   3   6
Jason Gordon (BRI)          4   6   6   6   4

Bartolo Sabanero (AQL)      3   7   7   6
Jean van de Kloor (TJU)     6   5   5   1

Andrew Simmons (ETM)        6   3   3   6   6
Irina Elinova (NAZ)         2   6   6   2   3

---

Doubles Competition - Quarterfinals

Jo Royalwood/Bob Lightford (SPM)                3   4
Janelle Hood/Sarah Lee Vale (AIG)               6   6

Spencer Kohnhead/Marcus Hathwar (KHD/ETM)       2   5
Valentina Spetsova/Austin McDanielson (TJU)     6   7

Sonya Gredello/Rosa Levinsky (ETM)              3   6   3
Marko Juvan/Rikard Kampl (MTJ)                  6   2   6

Riley Dovatin/Melissa Turnface (KHD)            2   3
Bartolo Sabanero/Qualo Tabos (AQL)              6   6

---

Singles Competition - Semifinals

[WC] Heather Long (AIG) vs Bartholomew Pole (KHD)
[27] Bartolo Sabanero (AQL) vs [7] Andrew Simmons (ETM)

---

Doubles Competition - Semifinals

Janelle Hood/Sarah Lee Vale (AIG) vs [13] Valentina Spetsova/Austin McDanielson (TJU)
[21] Marko Juvan/Rikard Kampl (MTJ) vs Bartolo Sabanero/Qualo Tabos (AQL)

---

Order of Play - Day 8
Afternoon session will start at 1pm, night session starts at 7pm.

The Cauldron
Afternoon session
[21] Marko Juvan/Rikard Kampl (MTJ) vs Bartolo Sabanero/Qualo Tabos (AQL)
Janelle Hood/Sarah Lee Vale (AIG) vs [13] Valentina Spetsova/Austin McDanielson (TJU)
[WC] Heather Long (AIG) vs Bartholomew Pole (KHD)
Night session
[27] Bartolo Sabanero (AQL) vs [7] Andrew Simmons (ETM)

The rain came to the Hamilton International. It was light, but it was still there. Luckily covers were already on the court we would be using, so no one mind the presence of the clouds. TJUN-ia was also still here in Electrum, with 2 entries left to fight for much glory as they can muster. But by the end of the day, that would be halved...
Weather: 20C / 68F - light rain

---

The Cauldron
As night fell in Hamilton, Jean van de Kloor stepped into The Cauldron. It was at this stage at the last Grand Slam that saw de Kloor of Toropo's debut tournament come to an end. Now he looked for more aginst the in form 27th seed of Bartolo Sabanero, from the in from nation of Aqual. Sabanero beat Scarlet herself to set up this match-up, so many were hoping de Kloor could provide some revenge.

The first set went well for Jean, as he put Bartolo to the sword and took it 6-3. All was well. But then Sabanero showed why he was considered in form. In a tight Set 2, he prevailed 7-5. In a tight Set 3, he prevailed 7-5. Jean was getting frustrated as the Aqualias turned the match on its head. Then in the 4th, it happened: Bartolo pulled the trigger and took down de Kloor. Bartolo Sabanero will bein 2 Grand Slam semifinals on the same day, and he took down both of the Big 2 in order to do that...

As for Jean, he fell in the same place he did before...this time it was harder. He will be the TJUN-ian No.1 entering the grass season but only just. Will TJUN-ia ever win a singles title? Maybe, we'll see?
[27] Bartolo Sabanero (AQL) bt [18] Jean van de Kloor (3-6, 7-5, 7-5, 6-1)

Court 2
After that, we now head to Court 2 for the Doubles Quarterfinals. Valentina Spetsova and Austin McDaneilson, the 13th seeds, were taking on the combined effort of the 18th seeded pairing. Spencer Kohnhead was from...well, Kohnhead and Marcus Hathwar from the host nation of Electrum. Both our fiercest tennis rival and the hosts combined into one enemy Scarlet and The Cowboy had to try and take down together.

The first set was as smooth as butter as the TJUN-ian won it 6-2. The 2nd set saw a rejuvenated attack from Kohnhead and Hathwar, who were showcasing that players from separate nations can come together and perform very well. But the TJUN-ian need to win, for the sake of keeping the nation in the tournament, and so they took down the dream of 2 nations winning 1 competition for another tournament.

And so, the nation only has them left. "Austina", the pairing some TJUN-ians fantasised about, were now the only TJUN-ian left in this Grand Slam. No matter how well they do, this will be the best Grand Slam in TJUN-ian history. But the thought of these two in the final day playing in front of the world is almost in reach. To make their first final as a paring, they must take down an unranked paring from The Andromeda Island Group - Janelle Hood and Sarah Lee Vale.

[13] Valentina Spetsova/Austin McDanielson (TJU) bt [18] Spencer Kohnhead/Marcus Hathwar (KHD/ETM) (6-2, 7-5)

---

TOMORROW'S MATCH (Coverage Starts at 10:00 am TST)
The Cauldron
Match 2: Janelle Hood/Sarah Lee Vale (AIG) vs [13] Valentina Spetsova/Austin McDanielson (TJU)

Pole gets into the Semis as doubles teams falter

Bartholomew Pole (KHD)      6   2   7   3   6
Jason Gordon (BRI)          4   6   6   6   4

In a long, five set, quarterfinals match against Jason Gordon, Bartholomew Pole emerged victorious and will now be moving on to the semifinals. The first set was a close 6-4 win for Pole. He faltered in the second set as he allowed Jason Gordon to overpower him, and just like that it was 1-1. The third set was the key set of the match. It went to a tiebreaker which saw Pole win it 7-4. If Gordon takes this set, he probably wins the match. Despite winning the third set in tiebreaker fashion it seemed to motivate Gordon who won the fourth set 6-3 to force a deciding fifth set. There were no breaks in the fifth set until it was 5-4 Pole, and Gordon had the serve.

0-0, Gordon faults on his first serve as it's into the net. He goes slow on the second as to not double fault, and Pole takes advantage hitting a laser down the line which makes Gordon run for it. All Jason Gordon can do is muster up a high backhand which falls over the net and leads to an easy spike to win the point for Pole.

0-15, Gordon this time connects on his first serve. Pole sends it back, and it's returned by Gordon. Pole hits a backhand back to Gordon and rushes up to the net and is able to connect on Gordon's return and get the point.

0-30, Gordon sends in a very good serve which puts Pole off balance and his return is into the net. Gordon gets an important win.

15-30, Gordon faults on his first serve again but his second is good. They volley for a little while before Pole gets overeager and sends a shot too deep and past the line. Pole contests the call but the ball was clearly out tying the game.

30-30, Gordon's serve is weak, and Pole presses his advantage. Gordon eventually can't get to the ball on one of Pole's excellent backhands and just like that it's match point in the fifth set with a trip to the semis of a Grand Slam on the line.

30-40 Match Point, you can see both players visibly shaking, and sweating as the game has gone on for almost four hours. Gordon puts in a good serve, and the return from Pole gives Gordon the clear advantage. Gordon can put them into a deuce with his shot but nerves get the best of him and he hits it into the net.

Game Over, Pole wins the last set 6-4, and wins the match. The two unlikely quarter finalists embrace each other after the match knowing how close it was and that it could have gone either way. Pole waves to the roaring crowd on court 2, and starts an interview.


In his next match Pole will take on an even more unlikely face in the Semis, Heather Long from The Andromeda Island Group. Pole has been extremely lucky with his draws and should be the favorite for the 7pm match in The Cauldron. Long is coming off of an upset of Mattias Burges and there's a reason she made it this far.

Spencer Kohnhead/Marcus Hathwar (KHD/ETM)       2   5
Valentina Spetsova/Austin McDanielson (TJU)     6   7

Our TJUN-ian rivals strike again continuing their dominance of us here at Hamilton. Kohnhead, and Hathwar played okay but just weren't good enough to get the job done. Overall their partnership has been a success unlike the pairing of Jack Ho, and Bradley Kohnface.

Riley Dovatin/Melissa Turnface (KHD)            2   3
Bartolo Sabanero/Qualo Tabos (AQL)              6   6

A very good and surprising run from Dovatin, and Turnface ends in an upset loss to Sabanero and Tabos from Aqual. Another two set loss although this one was a lot more surprising than the Kohnhead, and Hathwar loss especially that it was two not even close sets. Dovatin and Turnface will continue to be partners moving forward and I'm excited to see how well they do on grass and if they can build off of this performance.

The Morning of Semifinals
Crown Hotel and Casino
Hamilton International

For much of the past fortnight, Janelle Hood and Sarah Lee Vale have maintained their focus on just playing the game. But as they progressed through the draw at Hamilton, they have become more reclusive. Apart from their last couple of matches, Hood and Vale have been in hiding.

They have made their first semifinal on the International Circuit here, in a Grand Slam event. The world press is far less forgiving than the press back home. They have opted to have a brief interview with Dave Bishop and Heather Long at lunch time, but breakfast will be a simple affair. Janelle ordered room service about an hour ago. It just arrived.

The two players sat at a table, admiring both the food and the skyline outlining the Hamilton Tennis Park.

VALE: So, what do you know about our opponents?

HOOD: They’re experienced. They’re more used to this than we are.

VALE: You didn’t sleep much last night.

Hood was worried about this afternoon’s match.

HOOD: I got up early and checked out the local coverage. After a bit, I had to turn it off. Until you woke up, I was just looking out of the window, trying to get rid of the noise in my head.

Vale reaches across the table, grabbing Hood’s hand.

VALE: Listen, we’ve worked hard to become good at what we do. We can’t control what they do. We can’t control the Press. We can’t control what our opponents do. We can’t control the weather. We can only control what we do.

Hood sits for few seconds and thinks about it.

HOOD: Semifinalists at the Hamilton International. It’s a good start for a first Grand Slam.

VALE: You know what else is a good start? This breakfast right here. You should try this jam.

----------

Heather Long’s wake-up call came at 5 am this morning. Although it was a struggle, she found it in herself to dress just enough for a quick morning run.

As she went through her paces around the Hamilton Tennis Center, she thought about the match she had the day before. She thought about all the hype that Lucius Webb was promoting, referring to Mattias Burges as “The Andromeda Killer.” Mattias Burges was the perfect gentlemen, even when he was down in the fifth. It actually didn’t seem like a five-set match then, though with the slight twinges of pain she felt as she ran, it does now.

As with every morning, there were a few other tennis players who also endured morning runs. One guy in particular has been out here every morning, running the same path that Long took. Today, she stopped in order to find out exactly who it was. It was Dave Bishop, the lead tennis correspondent at the Andromeda Sports Connection.

BISHOP: Hello, Miss Long.

LONG: Hello, Mr. Bishop.

‘Dropshot Dave’ Bishop was the #1 player in the Andromeda Islands many years ago. Although he’s pushing 50, he still looks much like he did back in the day, aside from his hair being a bit grayer.

BISHOP: Mind if we keep moving, I got to call Cameron at seven.

Bishop’s wife, Cameron Knight, is back home, pregnant with their third child.

Bishop and Long jog at a more leisurely pace as they talk.

LONG: Mr. Bishop, let me ask you to do something for me.

BISHOP: What’s that?

LONG: You know my next match is with Bartholomew Pole, from Cone Head Country.

BISHOP: Yes, we broadcasted about that match last night.

LONG: Could you please, stop referring to it as ‘The Long Pole match?’

Bishop laughs.

BISHOP: That’s Lucius, Heather. I actually thought about that… and… I’ve been very careful about it since I realized it.

LONG: At least tell Lucius.

BISHOP: Heather, once that match is over, you’ll never have to hear it again. I know it’s a bit embarrassing, it’s a tight rope we walk at ASC: Ratings against Regulators.

LONG: But Long and Pole?

Bishop smiles.

BISHOP: Heather, if that’s the biggest problem you have right now, then you have no problems. Nobody’s going to remember ‘Long Pole.’ They’ll remember that you, Janelle and Sarah Lee all made the semifinals at the Hamilton International.

The two stop at the hotel entrance. Bishop decides to tell Long one last thing before heading back up to his room.

BISHOP: I hope you three make more memories for us this afternoon. Peace!

Long stands outside for a few seconds.

LONG: Peace to you too, Dave Bishop.

Sabanero Carries On to Singles and Doubles Semifinals
HAMILTON, Etm.—Bartolo Sabanero continued his great showing in the Hamilton International today, winning both of his matches in the quarterfinals to progress to the semis in both singles and doubles. Results from both below.

Bartolo Sabanero (AQL)      3   7   7   6
Jean van de Kloor (TJU)     6   5   5   1

Although Sabanero's typical late start was absent from his last singles victory, it reappeared here, with Jean van de Kloor taking the first set in solid fashion by six games to three. Sabanero still looked like he hadn't fully warmed up yet early in the second set, with the TJUN-ian continuing to lead before the Aqualia managed to reflect the form he has shown throughout this tournament, breaking back to equalize before breaking again to clinch the set at 6-5. The third set was arguably the best, with both players playing some incredible tennis from start to finish, with many "points of the match" (it was truly impossible to choose just one). The set was ultimately decided in the eleventh game, with Sabanero managing to curve his forehand down the line just in, with little room for error—the shot was so close to the line that the chair umpire had to come down to confirm that it was indeed in by a hair. Having secured the fateful break of serve, Sabanero himself served with much more confidence and freedom, and he consolidated to fifteen. There is no question about van de Kloor's impressive skills as a tennis professional (after all, the title of number one TJUN-ian is not one lacking merit by any means), but it seems the only path to victory for the eighteenth seed in this match would have been a win in the third set, as Sabanero completely dominated the fourth, buoyed by his two prior close set wins and an almost dejected van de Kloor. Although Sabanero has won this one 3-6, 7-5, 7-5, 6-1, it would be naïve to think this is the last of his encounters with the TJUN-ian Big 2; we for one certainly look forward to their next meeting, whether in the grass swing or beyond. Sabanero's semifinal match-up will be no less of a challenge, going up against seventh seed Andrew Simmons, the last Electrumite standing, in the finale of the night session on The Cauldron.

Riley Dovatin/Melissa Turnface (KHD)            2   3
Bartolo Sabanero/Qualo Tabos (AQL)              6   6

Sabanero was, as in previous tournaments, on "double duty" today, competing in both the singles and doubles draw alongside Qualo Tabos. The two Aqualias wasted no time against their Kohnhead opponents, quickly opening up a one, then two-break lead in the first set, keeping Riley Dovatin and Melissa Turnface to winning just one of their service games apiece. With the now-familiar positioning of Tabos at the net and Sabanero keeping up the pace at the baseline, they again broke early in the second set. Although they did not this time manage a second break, they were never in need of it, as both Sabanero and Tabos held with relative ease against their twenty-eighth-seeded opponents. They advance to the semifinals, where they will open up play in The Cauldron against the twenty-first seeds, Marko Juvan and Rikard Kampl of Mattijana, at 1:00 P.M.

It is certainly an exciting time for Aqualian tennis, with Grand Slam semifinalists in both singles and doubles for the first time in Aqual's short history on the international circuit. We hope you will again join us on our website for live updates and a live stream of the two matches, and as always check our full results tomorrow in the print edition of the Toboso Chronicle.

Cutoff.

Tomorrow's temperature: 32C/89F - Bright sunny day. Roofs will be opened.

---

Singles Competition - Semifinals

Heather Long (AIG)         1   6   6   6   6
Bartholomew Pole (KHD)     6   7   4   1   3

Bartolo Sabanero (AQL)     6   6   6
Andrew Simmons (ETM)       3   1   4

Doubles Competition - Semifinals

Janelle Hood/Sarah Lee Vale (AIG)               4   4
Valentina Spetsova/Austin McDanielson (TJU)     6   6

Marko Juvan/Rikard Kampl (MTJ)                  1   7   3
Bartolo Sabanero/Qualo Tabos (AQL)              6   5   6

---

Order of Play - Day 9
Afternoon session starts at 11am. Night session starts at 7.30pm.

The Cauldron
Doubles Championship - Afternoon
[13] Valentina Spetsova/Austin McDanielson (TJU) vs Bartolo Sabanero/Qualo Tabos (AQL)
Singles Championship - Night
[WC] Heather Long (AIG) vs [27] Bartolo Sabanero (AQL)

Hamilton International, Electrum
The Cauldron, Match 2 (Around 3pm Local Time/2:00 pm TST)

As the crowd applauded at The Cauldron, two teams entered its hallowed halls. One of them was TJUN-ian. Valentina Spetsova and Austin McDanielson were in their 2nd ever doubles semifinal. The last time they were at this point, it was the Kinterten and they fell to a pairing from Pemecutan. But this wasn't the Kinterten: this was a Grand Slam, where the best of the best come and try to achieve eternal glory. As the 13th seeds, they were the highest-ranked pairing left in the doubles after traditional Grand Slam Chaos had swept through Hamilton. Their opponents showed that: they were from The Andromeda Island Group. Janelle Hood and Sarah Lee Vale had survived as an unseeded pairing and had somehow made it this far. Now they were a game away from a Grand Slam final with only Scarlet and The Cowboy in their way. Both teams wanted the opportunity to try and win a Grand Slam, so the pressure was certainly on.

The first set was tight to start as both teams showed their worth. As one would get the advantage, the other would take it away. It took a bit of a late break from the TJUN-ians to win it 6-4. First blood TJUN-ia. The second was also like this and it played similarly too and that was important. The threat of the upset was ever-present, but Scarlet and The Cowboy managed to shoot that down to win in straight sets.

You might be thinking "Why all the suspense. It was a straight-sets victory, there's nothing to be suspenseful about!" Well, yes, you have a point: there is both suspenseful about a straight-set win. But you forget the setting: this was in The Cauldron. This was the Semifinal of the biggest tournament on clay. This was the final step before the Final of a Grand Fucking Slam. Players dedicate their lives to trying to do well at these tournaments, let along to try and make the final match itself. The result may have been "uneventful", but the setting certainly was.

The TJUN-ians couldn't believe what they had done. Scarlet was in shock as she went to shake hands, The Cowboy was on the clay floor in stunned silence. He then got up and did the deed, the shock setting into his face. Both players didn't know what to do as the applause rang around The Cauldron, and you can understand why. Scarlet had finally made a doubles final, completing the set. But The Cowboy was crying. He was in his first final ever, even though his singles play was not as good. Then came a moment that would send the internet into a frenzy. Scarlet saw the emotion that was being spilt by McDanielson, so she went over and gave him a hug. She allowed him to cry into her shoulder while she led him off towards the seats. The Cowboy would eventually calm down enough so that both of them could walk off to the applause of the crowd.

TJUN-ia is in a Grand Slam Final. One opponent stands between us and eternal glory and it's one you may have heard of: Aqual's Bartolo Sabanero and Qualo Tabos. Bartolo, slayer of the Big 2 in the singles, will be in both finals tomorrow. Could he make it 3-0 against TJUN-ians in the tournament with Tabos, or will Scarlet get revenge in the best of ways with The Cowboy at her side? I guess we just have to wait and see if glory is coming our way...

[13] Valentina Spetsova/Austin McDanielson (TJU) bt Janelle Hood/Sarah Lee Vale (AIG) (6-4, 6-4)

---

TOMORROW'S MATCH (Coverage Starts at 10:00 am TST)
Weather: 32C/89F - Bright sunny day. Roofs will be opened.
The Cauldron
Doubles Championship: [13] Valentina Spetsova/Austin McDanielson (TJU) vs Bartolo Sabanero/Qualo Tabos (AQL)

The Cauldron
Hamilton Tennis Center

This weekend, The Cauldron is the Center of the NSTT Universe. Yesterday, three Andromedan players were involved in the semifinals of what is perhaps the most difficult tennis tournament in the NS Universe.

#1 – Yesterday @ 4:05 pm

The 13th-seeded TJUNian duo of Valentina Spetsova and Austin McDanielson broke out to an early lead, breaking Janelle Hood and Sarah Lee Vale in the first game of the match. While Hood and Vale came close to breaking back, the rest of the set held to form.

In the second set, things were square until the seventh game, which lasted more than 20 minutes. Spetsova and McDanielson finally broke Hood and Vale in the longest game of the match.

In the end, the TJunians triumphed over the Andromedans 6-4 in two. Before heading to the locker room, Hood and Vale watched as McDanielson fell to his knees in jubilation. The air was thick with emotion as The Cowboy cried on the shoulder of his partner.

As for Hood and Vale, the emotions they felt were mixed. The sting of defeat was dulled by a sigh of relief. Their lives would return to some sense of normalcy.

Spetsova & McDanielson will face the Aqualians Bartolo Sabonero and Qualo Tabos tomorrow morning at 8:00 am Eastern Andromeda Standard Time.

#2 – Yesterday @ 11:33 pm

Two hours ago, things didn’t look very good for Heather Long against Bartholomew Pole. She was down two sets after having lost a hard-fought tie-break. A few fans unfamiliar with Heather Long’s game left The Cauldron midway through the third. What they missed was yet another Heather Long comeback.

In her previous five matches, Long had gone 6-for-7 in fourth and fifth sets. Her best tennis had been played in the later stanzas.

Long broke Pole in the ninth game of the 3rd set. She would win eight straight games before Pole managed to hold serve late in the fourth.

In the end, Long ended up winning all but one of eleven straight games. When Pole finally held his serve in the 5th, he was down 3-1. The rest of the match held form as Long prevailed 6-3 in the 5th.

As Long left The Cauldron, she was met by Bartolo Sabonero of Aqual on the way to the locker room. Sabonero had played in the first doubles semifinal that morning. They talked briefly before Sabonero began his pre-match routine.

#3 – 7:20 pm

Heather Long emerged from her locker room to play in what could be the match of her life. She was taking nothing for granted. Her opponent, Sabonero, had just beaten Andrew Simmons, a citizen of Electrum, in straight sets on what was essentially Simmons’ home court. Sabonero had also just played in the doubles final a few hours ago. Due to his participation in the doubles bracket, Sabonero had, quite literally, played more sets at Hamilton than Long has. He wasn’t going down without a fight.

Long was wearing a skirt imprinted with patterns from the Andromedan flag. Catherine James let her borrow it for the occasion. Other than that, her outfit was plain white. As she and Sabonero went through their pre-match paces, she looked in the stands. Not only were most of her Andromedan compatriots there, but there were several dignitaries from the Andromeda Islands, plus a large number of fans.

Long also recognized a familiar face sitting with Todd Richardson, Victoria Tran and Kendra Jackson. It was Riley Escobar and his wife, Britt. Now the Lieutenant Governor of Portsmouth State, Escobar was the last Andromedan to win an International Tennis tournament.

As Sabonero and Long exchange practice volleys, Long tries very hard to forget the enormity of the moment. She breathes with each stroke. She feels the weight of the moment lift away with each step. She feels the same enthusiasm filling her soul the way it did when she played her first match so many years ago. It was there, on those tennis court back home, where the tall, gangly young duckling emerged into the graceful swan contending for the 6th Singles Title at the Hamilton International.

The ball has just begun. The music has started, and it’s time to dance!

Sabanero Vying for Not One, But Two Hamilton Titles
HAMILTON, Etm.—Bartolo Sabanero is continuing to make history in the Hamilton International, now becoming a finalist in both the singles and doubles draw. Will he make history as the first Aqualia to win a Grand Slam in the two championship matches tomorrow? Only time will tell. Results from today's semifinals matches below.

Bartolo Sabanero (AQL)     6   6   6
Andrew Simmons (ETM)       3   1   4

Although we have come to expect greatness from Sabanero, certainly no one could have expected just how great he played today against Andrew Simmons, especially given the Electrumite's home court advantage and top ten ranking. Sabanero looked strong early, as opposed to his more infamous late starts, and the break of serve in the fourth game was enough for the set at-large to go 6-3. With the momentum clearly on his side, he began to open up even more against Simmons, who was perhaps caught off guard a bit by the Aqualia's early attack and made some unfortunate errors—enough, in fact, to be broken all but once in the second set, which went to Sabanero by a 6-1 margin in less than half an hour. Simmons finally broke through in the third set, with the Electrumite even managing to break serve in the first game with some well-angled winners from deep in the court, before Sabanero altered his strategy, approaching the net with his experience volleying in doubles shining through to break twice later in the set, which he clinched by six games to four to advance to the championship match 6-3, 6-1, 6-4. He will there face Heather Long of the Andromeda Island Group, who has shocked the tennis world by getting to the finals as a wildcard in the tournament, although who has also had to endure some long matches (including five-set wins over Mattias Burges and Bartholomew Pole in the last two rounds). Tune in live on our website at 7:30 P.M. to see which of the two will win their maiden Grand Slam title (in also, surprisingly, their maiden Grand Slam appearance)!

Marko Juvan/Rikard Kampl (MTJ)                  1   7   3
Bartolo Sabanero/Qualo Tabos (AQL)              6   5   6

It seems that, now that Sabanero has warmed up throughout the tournament, he needs less of a warm-up in each successive match, as he and Qualo Tabos raced off to an early first set win against opponents Marko Juvan and Rikard Kampl, breaking thrice for a 6-1 margin. Another break of serve early in the second set made many believe it would be a blowout performance for the Aqualias, but the twenty-first seeds rallied back (literally) to not only save two match points in two separate games, but take the set for themselves by seven games to five. The deciding set was a truly competitive contest near the beginning, with both teams swapping breaks before finding rhythm on their service games. Later into the set, it was Tabos' time to shine. Although often overshadowed by Sabanero due to his joint singles and doubles runs, Tabos is actually many times the key to the Aqualian pair's success in the doubles events, with his killer instinct at the net (and fast hands to back it up). His volleys allowed not only both the Aqualias to hold serve without hiccups, but also to break the Mattijana team's serve when it mattered most, taking the last three games for a 6-3 set win. They advance to the championship match, where they will face thirteenth seeds Valentina Spetsova and Austin McDanielson of TJUN-ia. Spetsova, better known as Scarlet, is eager for revenge for her loss to Sabanero in singles (along with TJUN-ia as a whole, more generally). It is certain to be a dramatic final!

We hope you will join us for Sabanero' and Tabos' championship match on The Cauldron at 11:00 A.M. as the sun fills the arena with its warmth (thankfully not its extreme heat) and natural glow, as well as again for the singles championship later in the evening. Both will be streamed live on our website, with live coverage from our journalists in Hamilton starting an hour before each match, and a full recap from the two Aqualias' historic bid to become the country's first Grand Slam champions to come on the front page of tomorrow's print edition of the Toboso Chronicle.

The final cut-off for the clay court season. For the victors, the spoils.

---

Doubles Championship

Valentina Spetsova/Austin McDanielson (TJU)     6   2   6
Bartolo Sabanero/Qualo Tabos (AQL)              4   6   3

Singles Championship

Heather Long (AIG)         6   6   6   2
Bartolo Sabanero (AQL)     0   7   7   6

Congratulations to the winners, and thank you all for a successful clay court season. See you in Salvador for the start of the grass court season.

The Cauldron
Hamilton Tennis Club
11 pm

Earlier in the Tournament, Heather Long had found her footing and told herself that she was riding the wave. She had grown accustomed to the ebb and flow of the matches at the International level.

Tonight, she faced a man who had more experience with the rhythm of the International tour. Bartolo Sabanero hadn’t just made the final here, but played in the doubles final earlier in the day. He and Qualo Tabos took their final to three sets before losing to Scarlet & The Cowboy.

Sabanero looked lost in the first set, but found his place in the second. He won both the second and the third in excruciatingly lengthy tiebreakers. Although he won 6-2 in the fourth, it certainly felt like five sets. Long had held her serve for three sets and still lost to the player she privately thought of as Aqual’s Iron Man.

As the two shake hands at the conclusion of the match, Long knows that she will have to wait a little longer and work a little harder to earn an International Title. She stood near the entrance of her locker room and watched as Sabonero basked in the glory of a well-earned Championship.

“Congratulations, Senor Sabonero.”

----------

Thanks and Praise go out to everyone who made this thread so interesting. Looking forward to more matches in the future!

Peace and Love!

Hamilton International, Electrum
The Cauldron, Doubles Championship (11am local, 10am TST)
Weather: 32C/89F - Bright sunny day. Roofs will be opened.

The Cauldron. One of the most important arenas in the NSTT, situated in the deserts of Hamiton in Electrum. It would be here, at 11 o'clock sharp, that TJUN-ia entered it's 3rd ever final - its 2nd in the doubles - but its first in a Grand Slam. A lot of history would be made no matter if the TJUN-ians win as to reach the final of a Grand Slam puts you in the history books anyway. But the chance of eternal glory is always one you must take and two of TJUN-ia's own were trying to two what Shinji Makauchi and Felipe de la Rosa could not: win a doubles title in the NSTT.

But who were the players involved? Let's start with our 2. Valentina Spetsova has had a great time thus far in the NSTT. She made the Kinterten her tournament, reaching the semis in the doubles and making the final in the singles. Ever since then, her performances have been consistent but never up to those highs. Today, Scarlet would have an opportunity to take down 2 objectives at the same time: putting the Kinterten behind her and getting revenge over the player who took her down a few days ago in the singles. As for Austin McDanielson, his transformation as a player since the Kinterten has been plain to see. While his singles play has been "alright", it with Scarlet that The Cowboy truly shines and many have noticed that. Some might say there might something else that drives The Cowboy to play well with Spetsova and while the rumours are just rumours (for now), they have been circulating ever since the "Water Bottle Moment" after that Kinterten semifinal and fuel was added to the fire after what happened after they won the semifinal yesterday. The "Hug and Calming" moment, as it is now called on social media (especially twii.tur), has certainly made these two the centre of TJUN-ia's conscious and the eyes would certainly be all on them - they were favourites on paper as the 13th seeds, the highest remaining seed left.

Their opponent, across the net, were looking to make history themselves. At the Istria Open in Banija, many weeks ago now, saw the debut of a nation from the region of Osiris by the name of Aqual. Two players at that tournament for the debuting nation were Bartolo Sabanero and Qualo Tabos. These two made the final of that tournament, only to fall just short to the Tennis Empire that is Pemecutan. Since then, Aqual has been consistent and it seems fitting that they made it this far. Sabanero was on double duty today: playing in both finals. I don't know if that has ever happened before in the NSTT, but it must be rare. It was Sabanero that took TJUN-ia out of the signed and it could be him that takes TJUN-ia down at the final hurdle. Screw Kohnhead, today the enemy was Aqual!

And so, at around 11 am, play began. It was tight to begin with, as both teams wanted the other to make the first mistake. Only 3 sets in the doubles, so every game counted. At 4-4, Spetsova took over and made sure this set was TJUN-ia's with quick play and an unnerving spirit. 6-4. Advantage TJUN-ia.

But the Aqualias' knew that had this wasn't over. Sabanero was in an interesting position: trying to win one final while preparing for another (which he would win, by the way). He had 2 shots of eternal glory but he wasn't going to waste either. And so, he and Tabos came back fighting and hard. An early break turned quickly into a definite advantage and they won Set 2 comfortably, 6-2. This match had to go to a decider, for all the marbles.

And so it was. The pressure was on both teams as the eyes of The Cauldron and the eyes of the multiverse were watching and waiting for someone to win. Someone had to win. McDanielson would be the one to decide this game, earning a break in which the TJUN-ians would look back from. As Scarlet sent a shot into the left at 5-3, Tabos missed. It was over.

"Game, Set and Match: Spetsova and McDanielson"

Many things happened at once: the crowd cheered and applauded the great match they had witnessed, the many TJUN-ian fans watching on TV were cheering too, Spetsova fell onto her knees and McDanielson was flat on the clay crying his eyes out. They had done it. TJUN-ia had Champions. TJUN-ia had Grand Slam Champions. In an instant, two players from these fair isles were forever immortalised in the history of NationSates Tennis Tour.

They both managed to get up and shake the hands of their opponents. Aqual would win today, just not this match. Afterwards, Scarlet and The Cowboys hugged again. Both of them were crying, both of them were in shock, and both of them deserved it. They deserved everything on this fine day in Hamilton. Once they finally released and Support Level 2 was reached, they were met with more applause. They went over to their coaches and the rest of TJUN-ian delegation, who were in attendance in the coaches box, and they got two TJUN-ian flags. They used them as banners and paraded them as such while the stage was being set.

They received their doubles trophy to a rapture of applause both here an back at home. The CSTO's Golden Girl and the NAU's quickfire Cowboy were champions of a Grand Slam, and there would be many bottles of champagne popped in Riverside tonight. As they put their trophy down, the tannoy announced that everyone must stand: "The Rivers and Seas" were about to play. As they stood, they took it all in. Scarlet and The Cowboy are now the 2nd ranked pairing in all of tennis, just behind the Fournier twins. They would eventually be immortalised in the new TJUN-ian Hall of Fame as the first names in, forever recognised in the history of this nation.

Mattijana's MFO Sport was right after all: TJUN-ia is an established tennis nation. There was no doubt about that any more...

[13] Valentina Spetsova/Austin McDanielson (TJU) bt Bartolo Sabanero/Qualo Tabos (AQL) (6-4, 2-6, 6-3)