Delaclava Carpet Championships at Quinniville - RP/Scores

[Delaclava]

At this, hosting a tennis tournament is old hat for Delaclava. With four Scott Cups held, and many more to come, it is the longest-running tennis tournament in the world, aside from the Olympic tournament. However, Delaclava shifts its tennis focus from the wood courts in the capital of Catherina to the northwestern city of Quinniville, where the grounds crew has slapped some carpet on the courts to play on, making carpet the second surface Delaclava has introduced to international play, this time affiliated with the ITA.

The groups have already been drawn in the men's singles, men's doubles, women's singles, and women's doubles divisions. Each group has four competitors. The singles events have four groups, and the doubles events have two. After a single round robin, all groups will advance two competitors to the knockouts, where the doubles events will have semifinals and a final, while the singles events will have quarterfinals to precede the last two rounds. The groups:

MEN'S SINGLES
Group 1
Darren Giles (DEL)
Rasheel Rancorous (HEL)
Filip Compagini (THA) David Polley (SRZ)
Pierre L'Enfant (SAU)

Group 2
Rocco Davis (DEL)
Sean Smith (SAU)
Jack Hale (MEL)
Salun Castrova (TOI)

Group 3
Stefan Baptiste (SAU)
Marko Hooi (MEL)
AniKarho Fukufuji (TP)
Lor Carta (TOI)

Group 4
Verhuk Deut (TOI)
Jude Adjei-Kontoh (COS)
Nicky Mellis (TP)
Jean-Francois Bonaparte (SAU)

MEN'S DOUBLES
Group 1
Visha Tacyilisev/Jacob Archeos (DEL)
Lesley Iacobelli/Edmundo Bruegman (TP)
Lor Carta/Verhuk Deut (TOI)
Lane Englebrecht/Vito Manwille (VLT)

Group 2
Marcus Kay/Nicholas Miron (TYR)
Trenton Liedke/Hunter Horita (VLT)
Gaston Dellasanta/Lauren Jecklin (TP)
Connor Harvey/Carim Terrazas (MEL)

WOMEN'S SINGLES
Group 1
Albertina Iniesta (DEL)
Kirsa Zaer (TOI)
Trudie Osias (TP)
Sharice Mannes (VLT)

Group 2
Kara Sorlander (NNT)
Patcher Fukufuji (TP)
Janiece Tejadilla (VLT)
Malaika Said (EFL)

Group 3
Victoria Fatima (EFL)
Emilie Burgundy (SAU)
Contessa Toulson (VLT)
Carolina Riley (COS)

Group 4
Helene Ariadna (TYR)
Kim Deal (TOI)
Margrit Meaty (HEL)
Jeanne Ribery (SAU)

WOMEN'S DOUBLES
Group 1
Malaika Said/Victoria Fatima (EFL)
Anja Naftzger/Nakesha Schulthess (VLT)
Arletta Hershnowitz/Mikki Defrancis (TP)
Catherine Wynn/Antonia James (AND)

Group 2
Estell Ohrnstein/Kelau Fukufuji (TP)
Michelle Lee/Melanie Braga (AND)
Jennie Gaci/Gwen Paderau (TYR)
Kirsa Zaer/Kim Deal (TOI)

Schedule
Thurs. 7/29 - 1v2, 3v4
Fri. 7/30 - 1v3, 2v4
Sat. 7/31 - 1v4, 2v3
Sun. 8/1 - Singles quarterfinals, doubles semifinals
Mon. 8/2 - Singles semifinals, doubles finals
Tues. 8/3 - Singles finals

[Saugeais]

National Journal
Sports Section

The Saugeais traveling tennis team landed in Quinniville, Delaclava early this morning to compete in the Delaclava Carpet Championships. Competing on the men's side will be Pierre L'Enfant, Sean Smith, Stefan Baptiste, and Jean-François Bonaparte. And on the women's side, we have Jeanne Ribery and Émilie Burgundy. While none of the competitors play particularly well on carpeted surfaces, that does not deter them from a chance at victory. "I've played a few warm-up rounds out there," says Bonaparte, "and I can say that the carpets play almost like the grass courts of Wimbledon, just a little faster. I think there will be no problem for myself to do well in this tournament." "I personally love to sight-see, and Delaclava gives plenty of chances to do so," says Ribery. "However, I must give myself a chance at this new court. I've never played on carpet surfaces before, so I want to go practice right away!" The group stages will take place between Thursday and Saturday, and will be covered by SNN on television and the National Journal online.

[Mossulia]

(OOC: Mossulia have taken the place of Teroi in professional tennis so we would appreciate it if you changed the code to MSL if that's okay.)

Mossulia Echo

Bizarre surface to start

After weeks of haggling about with paperwork and tennis balls Mossulia finally managed to enter themselves into a tennis cup. The country itself hasn't been known for playing much tennis but today the dream started. We then found out this morning that we would be playing on a surface considered "Abnormal." We found out that we were going to Delaclava to play in the Carpet championships in Quinniville.

Still excitement is buzzing about after the group draws and because we have never seen anyone foreign ever play tennis we struggle to know if the groups are good or bad. Still Lor Carta afterwards was buzzing with excitement and said "I hope we can do well here. All I know is that I was put onto this earth to play tennis and that is why I'm here."

Our players are still a little nervous about playing on carpet, mainly because it would be their first time. The main surfaces used in Mossulia are Chalk and concrete. We also use clay but not as often and cheese is being used due to the shortage clay in southern Mossulia. But still we are building carpet courts at our training grounds so that our tennis stars can get used to them.

[Thatius]

Delaclava,

The nation of Thatius wishes to withdraw its only player in the tournament, Filip Compagini. He was first registered to participate in this tournament, but an opening came in the Schiavonia Lawn Championships, and Compagini was transferred over. He participated in the tournament, and that is all. I believe it is under the rules of the ITA that a player may only play in one of the ITA Tournaments, not several. So it would be a violation if Mr. Compagini was to play here. Please remove him from the group he is in, as he is going to fly back home to Thatius on orders from the Minister of Sports. Thank you for understanding.

[Cosumar]

Will RP later

[Bergnovinaia]

The Bergnovinaian Sports Network's Broadcast about the ITA.


OOC: I apologize about all the olympics stuff at the beginning.

[Sarzonia]

David Polley would be interested in taking the spot being vacated by Thatius's Filip Compagini.

If there were a spot available for a female player, Joann Grimsley would love to participate as well.

[Delaclava]

David Polley would be interested in taking the spot being vacated by Thatius's Filip Compagini.

Sold. Polley is placed in Filip Compagini's 3rd slot in Group A. Polley should be considered eligible for gaining ranking points during the course of this tournament.

If there were a spot available for a female player, Joann Grimsley would love to participate as well.

There isn't a female spot open at the moment, but if any spot in the women's draw opens up, consider it Grimsley's.

[Bergnovinaia]

David Polley would be interested in taking the spot being vacated by Thatius's Filip Compagini.

If there were a spot available for a female player, Joann Grimsley would love to participate as well.

Also, please register on the ITA's main page if you already haven't.

[Sarzonia]

Last minute notice is not something David Polley usually likes. A creature of habit, being told he has to do something last minute usually is a recipe for problems.

Not this time.

"David, this is Glenn Wesley from the Incorporated Tennis Federation."

"Yes, Glenn?"

"Pack your bags. You're being sent to a tournament."

"What the fuck? What Godforsaken shithole are you sending me to?"

"Delaclava. You're going to take part in the Delaclava Carpet Championships at Quinniville You're replacing Filip Compagini of Thatius."

"Oh, OK. Delaclava's definitely not a Godforsaken shithole," Polley said, smiling. He rather enjoyed it in Delclava, even though he usually had to go there with Joann Grimsley. He was very familiar with the place after participating in four Scott Cups. "Quinniville, huh? They just played Woodstock in the Cyanea Series."

"You're going to be in Group 1," he said. "Which means your second match will be against..."

"I know," Polley said, pulling up the information about the Delaclava Carpet Championships on the website. "Darren Giles."

Darren Giles. The man whose poster glared back at Polley every morning when he woke up. He had a travel version of the poster he took with him any time he went to Catherina for the Scott Cup. He'd played against Giles in three consecutive Scott Cup finals. He lost each of them. If there were one thing that dominated his tennis-related thoughts, it was the intensity of the rivalry between him and Giles.

He knew the reverse was true of his "partner" in Scott Cup play. While Polley was 0-3 against Giles in singles play, Grimsley is 3-0 against Giles's female partner, Albertina Iniesta. Their mixed doubles matches were the stuff of legend. Fortunately for Polley and Grimsley, two of them went in Sarzonia's favour. However, the most recent one did not.

The rivalry would have another chapter in Quinniville. And that was one reason Polley enthusiastically packed his bags for the quick trip. Of course, there was one other bit of good news: He wasn't traveling with Grimsley.

[Delaclava]

MEN'S SINGLES
Group 1
Darren Giles (DEL) def. Rasheel Rancorous (HEL) 6-4, 6-2
David Polley (SRZ) def. Pierre L'Enfant (SAU) 6-2, 6-3

Group 2
Rocco Davis (DEL) def. Sean Smith (SAU) 6-3, 6-3
Salun Castrova (TOI) def. Jack Hale (MEL) 6-4, 6-4

Group 3
Marko Hooi (MEL) def. Stefan Baptiste (SAU 4-6, 6-3, 8-6
Lor Carta (TOI) def. AniKarho Fukufuji (TP) 6-1, 6-2

Group 4
Verhuk Deut (TOI) def. Jude Adjei-Konth (COS) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
Nicky Mellis (TP) def. Jean-Francois Bonaparte (SAU) 6-2, 6-2

MEN'S DOUBLES
Group 1
Visha Tacyilisev/Jacob Archeos (DEL) def. Lesley Iacobelli/Edmundo Bruegman (TP) 7-6 (7-2), 6-0
Lor Carta/Verhuk Deut (TOI) def. Lane Englebrecht/Vito Manwill (VLT) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4

Group 2
Marcus Kay/Nicholas Miron (TYR) def. Trenton Liedke/Hunter Horita (VLT) 7-5, 4-6, 6-4
Connor Harvey/Carim Terrazas (MEL) def. Gaston Dellasanta/Lauren Jecklin (TP) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3

WOMEN'S SINGLES
Group 1
Albertina Iniesta (DEL) def. Kirsa Zaer (TOI) 6-2, 6-3
Sharice Mannes (VLT) def. Trudie Osias (TP) 6-3, 6-4

Group 2
Kara Sorlander (NNT) def. Patcher Fukufuji (TP) 7-6 (7-5), 6-1
Malaika Said (EFL) def. Janiece Tejadilla (VLT) 6-3, 6-3

Group 3
Victoria Fatima (EFL) def. Emilie Burgundy (SAU) 6-2, 6-2
Carolina Riley (COS) def. Contessa Toulson (VLT) 5-7, 6-2, 9-7

Group 4
Helene Ariadna (TYR) def. Kim Deal (TOI) 6-3, 6-1
Jeanne Ribery (SAU) def. Margrit Meaty 3-6, 6-4, 6-3

WOMEN'S DOUBLES
Group 1
Malaika Said/Victoria Fatima (EFL) def. Anja Naftzger/Nakesha Schulthess (VLT) 6-1, 6-3
Arletta Hershnowitz/Miiki Defrancis (TP) def. Catherine Wynn/Antonia James (AND) 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 8-6

Group 2
Estell Ohrnstein/Kelau Fukufuji (TP) def. Michelle Lee/Melanie Braga (AND) 6-0, 5-7, 11-9
Kirsa Zaer/Kim Deal (TOI) def. Jennie Gaci/Gwen Paderau (TYR) 6-4, 3-6, 6-4

[Sarzonia]

Many times, a competitor who just arrives at the tennis venue on the day of the competition is going to be at a serious disadvantage, especially if it involves taking a flight to another country.

Not so for David Polley. The Sarzonian tennis player took the flight to Quinniville, a route previously taken by the Woodstock Mountaineers during the inaugural Cyanea Series between the Mountaineers and the Quinniville Conquistadors.

Not only that, but Polley was very familiar with Delaclava. He was finishing a correspondence course on the history of Delaclav culture. He made it his business to explore Catherina, Corcorran and other cities. Granted, it was his first time in Quinniville, but he'd already pumped Mountaineers shortstop Matt Embry for information on the city.

So, needless to say, Polley walked in with a bit more of an advantage than most just off the plane athletes would have been. He dispatched Saugeais's Pierre L'Enfant in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3 to give him his first ITA tour victory.

"It feels good to get in the win column," Polley said. "I know I feel comfortable in Catherina when I play the Scott Cup, but this is nice. It's going to take some getting used to this carpet, though."

It didn't take long, however, before Polley was asked the question.

"How are you hoping to capitalise on the momentum from this match as you get ready to face Darren Giles?"

"I knew that was coming," Polley said. "Facing Pierre and facing Darren are two completely different things. No disrespect to Pierre, but beating Darren is something I've been working toward for a long time."

After the press conference and a few more questions about Giles, Polley went to his hotel room and stared at the poster he'd hung over the wall behind the headboard of his bed.

"I'll be ready," Polley said softly. "I'll be ready."

[The Andromeda Islands]

Andromedan News Service
Friday, July 30, 2010
Sports Section

The Andromedan Women’s Doubles Teams both lost their opening matches to teams from Tails Prower in the Delaclava Open yesterday.

Catherine Wynn and Antonia James lost to Arletta Hershnowitz and Miiki Defrancis, 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 8-6. Wynn and James had a 12-match winning streak on the Andromeda tour before entering International Competition.

“I think we spent the first set getting used to the surface. Once we got out footing, we gave it a go,” Wynn said.

“It was weird, the surface,” James added. “But we got a hold of ourselves after the first set.”

Antonia James was especially upset. Hershowitz and DeRrancis broke their serve in the 14th game of the last set on her serve.

The same pattern played out in Andromeda’s second match as Michelle Lee and Melanie Braga lost to Estell Ohrnstein and Kelau Fukufuji of Tails Prower 6-0, 5-7, 11-9. Lee and Braga’s winning streak was snapped at 3 games.

“We hadn’t adapted well to the surface,” Braga said. “And out opponents took advantage in the first.”

“Once we got used to the carpet, we had a puncher’s chance,” Lee said.

Fans were entertained by a few trick shots from Braga in the second and third.

“I guess they had nothing to lose,” a fan said. “After losing the first, they decided to take some chances and have fun.”

“They were in disarray in the first, but they made up for it in the second and third. It was entertaining tennis,” another fan added.

Not everyone was happy with the Lee and Braga’s play.

“That Braga chick wasn’t taking things seriously,” a fan complained. “Hitting shots between the legs and whatnot. That hot dogging has no place in tennis.”

“And that Michelle Lee,” another fan complained. “Calling bathroom breaks at 7 all in the third, complaining about calls. It’s disrespectful.”

Lee questioned a call in the eleventh game of the second that the chair umpire reversed. Lee and Braga broke their opponents in that game and went on to win the second set.

“This isn’t a friendly game at the country club,” Lee said. “We played by the rules and we tried to win.”

“Both teams were in it well into extra games in the third," Braga added. "And if we can get the fans involved, it’s all the better.”

Both Andromedan Doubles Teams still have two more matches in the group stage.

[Mossulia]

Mossulia Echo

Tennis gets going

After much expectation matchday one of the Delaclava Carpet Championships at Quinniville happened. It was a day with good points and bad points for Mossulia. But in the end we pulled through it and didn't have that bad of a day.

MEN'S SINGLES
Group 2
Salun Castrova (TOI) def. Jack Hale (MEL) 6-4, 6-4
In this game Castrova played well defeating Jack Hale in consecutive sets 6-4. He started poorly in the first set and was struggling to find his feet in the thick pile carpet ,he was 3-0 down in the first set. He pulled himself together to take the set after a long string of good play and he was 5-3 up in no time. He then showed his worthiness after a 20 minute deuce between him and Jack, in the end Jack won that game and it was going to be a tight finish with it being 5-4. He proved that he was one of our best tennis player of all time by taking the final game without conceding a point. Then in the second set he took an early lead and made it 4-0 very quickly. Unfortunately Hale wasn't giving up just yet and managed to bring it back to 5-3 very quickly. Jack then took another game and tensions were rising. If Castrova won this it would be game over, if not everything was still to play for. It got tenser as the game went on and in the end it was deuce. Castrova served and ace to make it advantage to him. Then a long rally followed with both of them looking dangerous. In the end Salun hit it high and far and Jack just couldn't reach. He took the victory and they shook hands.
Group 3
Lor Carta (TOI) def. AniKarho Fukufuji (TP) 6-1, 6-2
Carta showed that he could destroy anyone after a spectacular victory over AniKarho Fukufuji. He managed to do it in only 45 minutes. He started well in the first set destroying AniKarho with aces and quick returns. This was a game with few rallies in it and by the end of the first set Lor had managed an amazing 7 aces. In the last game of the set he didn't concede a point and AniKarho was struggling with him.In the second set AniKarho managed to shock him by going 2-0 up, but this may just have been down to Lor's general cockiness at the time but no one is sure. He fought back though taking several quick games to make it 4-2. He then took the next game with much ease to make it 5-2. But AniKarho wasn't planning on making this easy for him. In the last game he was 40-Love up without much trouble and then AniKarho served. Lor found himself drawn into a long rally that took 10 minutes. In the end he managed a short curling shot to stop his opponent and to make it his victory.
Group 4
Verhuk Deut (TOI) def. Jude Adjei-Konth (COS) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
After hearing the news of how well his mates were doing in the other game Deut was determined to win this as well. Sadly in the first set he struggled to get a grip after going 5-0 down very quickly. He tried his best and kept his honour by winning two games before going down. The second set was a bit of a pick me up for him. He managed to take the first few games with ease and set the Mossulian serve speed record at 108 MPH. He then got sucked into a long rally when he was 5-2 up and he was going back to how he was at the beginning of the game. He lost one game and came close to losing another but managed to pull him self up to win the last game of that set to make it 6-3. In the last set he started badly. He was 2-0 and struggling in the third game. He got a text message from Lor saying to try his hardest and the result doesn't matter. He then went out and played tennis with passion. He managed to claw back some games and was in a good position. He then took another couple of games without much trouble and won it.
MEN'S DOUBLES
Group 1
Lor Carta/Verhuk Deut (TOI) def. Lane Englebrecht/Vito Manwill (VLT) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4
After their victories Carta and Deut went into the game with a sense of pride. It showed in their tennis and in the first set they went 4-3 up. Suddenly though the other pair got on top and managed to take 2 games to make it 4-5. Carta and Deut managed to claw one game back and then the other pair managed to win the other two games to give them the set. It wasn't over yet though. Deut and Carta got on top in the second set with good team play and managed to take the set 6-3. It looked like the other team was tiring and they looked like they might not last the next set. The final set was one of the tensest of the day. It started with no break points and it took a long time after many rallies that the score was 4-4. Deut and Carta then took the next game after a long period of deuce and advantages. The last game took 10 minutes and long rallies stretched right the way through it. It was Advantage to the other side and Deut and Carta knew they would have to push to win it. They did. First Carta smashed an ace to make it deuce again. Another long rally ended up with us on Advantage and then finally a shorter rally ended up with Mossulia taking the game.
WOMEN'S SINGLES
Group 1
Albertina Iniesta (DEL) def. Kirsa Zaer (TOI) 6-2, 6-3
In this game Mossulia saw it's first disappointment of the evening. In this game Zaer struggled to get off the ground in the first set after Iniesta went 4-0 up. She still managed to get two games back but it was still a defeat. In the second set she got off to a flying start going 2-0 up with a spell of good luck. But she then got caught out in one game it it snowballed. Towards the end of the set she was 5-2 down, but still she had some fight left. She managed to hit lucky and won a game before a thrashing the final game that saw her off.
Group 4
Helene Ariadna (TYR) def. Kim Deal (TOI) 6-3, 6-1
This game saw our regional delegate defeat us in two sets straight. Kim Deal hardly stood a chance against Ariadna from Tyrrin who destroyed our much fabled tennis player. In the first set Kim started well going 3-1 up and it looked like her day. But then Helene managed to get her own back by destroying Kim very quickly. She made it 6-3 at the end of the set and she had much to celebrate Helene. Kim was determined to try but she still found herself 2-1 down. It was about to get worse. Helene went on to thrash Kim and Kim fell without much pride at the end.
Group 2
Kirsa Zaer/Kim Deal (TOI) def. Jennie Gaci/Gwen Paderau (TYR) 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
This game got the pride back for the girls after their defeats, and for Kim especially it was a sweet revenge. In the first set they went 3-0 down but they got back with a few flaming aces to make it 4-3. Jennie and Gwen managed to get another game back to make it 4-4. Kirsa and Kim managed to win the two more game required to win the set. In the second set they seemed to lack the fire that they had for the first set. They seemed to get it back towards the end of the set and managed to keep it to a respectable 6-3 scoreline. Still they were fired up again for the final set and were ready. In the final set the dominated and it was an all out celebration of the day. Well it was until our crowd was thrown out for making too much noise. In the end we dominated it and won a deserved win.

[Delaclava]

Sorry for lateness, really busy last night. Won't happen again.

MEN'S SINGLES
Group 1
Darren Giles (DEL) def. David Polley (SRZ) 2-6, 6-2, 8-6
Pierre L'Enfant (SAU) def. Rasheel Rancorous (HEL) 6-3, 6-3

Giles 2-0, Polley 1-1, L'Enfant 1-1, Rancorous 0-2

Group 2
Rocco Davis (DEL) def. Jack Hale (MEL) 6-3, 6-1
Sean Smith (SAU) def. Salun Castrova 6-3, 3-6, 6-2

Davis 2-0, Smith 1-1, Castrova 1-1, Hale 0-2

Group 3
AniKarho Fukufuji (TP) def. Stefan Baptiste (SAU) 7-6 (7-5), 6-4
Lor Carta (TOI) def. Marko Hooi 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)

Carta 2-0 Q, Hooi 1-1, Fukufuji 1-1, Baptiste 0-2 E

Group 4
Verhuk Deut (TOI) def. Nicky Mellis (TP) 6-2, 1-6, 7-5
Jean-Francois Bonaparte (SAU) def. Jude Adjei-Kontoh (COS) 6-2, 6-2

Deut 2-0, Mellis 1-1, Bonaparte 1-1, Adjei-Kontoh 0-2

MEN'S DOUBLES
Group 1
Visha Tacyilisev/Jacob Archeos (DEL) def. Lor Carta/Verhuk Deut (TOI) 6-0, 2-6, 7-5
Lane Englebrecht/Vito Manwill (VLT) def. Lesley Iacobelli/Edmundo Bruegman (TP) 6-3, 6-2

DEL 2-0, TOI 1-1, VLT 1-1, TP 0-2

Group 2
Marcus Kay/Nicholas Miron (TYR) def. Gaston Dellasanta/Lauren Jecklin (TP) 7-5, 4-6, 6-4
Trenton Liedke/Hunter Horita (VLT) def. Connor Harvey/Carim Terrazas (MEL) 7-5, 4-6, 9-7

TYR 2-0, VLT 1-1, MEL 1-1, TP 0-2

WOMEN'S SINGLES
Group 1
Albertina Iniesta (DEL) def. Trudie Osias (TP) 6-1, 6-3
Sharice Mannes (VLT) def. Kirsa Zaer (TOI) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3

Iniesta 2-0 Q, Mannes 2-0 Q, Zaer 0-2, Osias 0-2

Group 2
Janiece Tejadilla (VLT) def. Kara Sorlander (NNT) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
Malaika Said (EFL) def. Patcher Fukufuji (TP) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2

Said 2-0, Tejadilla 1-1, Sorlander 1-1, Fukufuji 0-2

Group 3
Victoria Fatima (EFL) def. Contessa Toulson (VLT) 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
Emilie Burgundy (SAU) def. Carolina Riley (COS) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4

Fatima 2-0, Burgundy 1-1, Riley 1-1, Toulson 0-2

Group 4
Margrit Meaty (HEL) def. Helene Ariadna (TYR) 6-3, 6-4
Jeanne Ribery (SAU) def. Kim Deal (TOI) def. 6-1, 6-3

Ribery 2-0, Meaty 1-1, Ariadna 1-1, Deal 0-2

WOMEN'S DOUBLES
Group 1
Arletta Hershnowitz/Mikki Defrancis (TP) def. Malaika Said/Victoria Fatima (EFL) 7-5, 5-7, 6-4
Catherine Wynn/Antonia James (AND) def. Anja Naftzger/Nakesha Schulthess (VLT) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3

TP 2-0 Q, AND 1-1, EFL 1-1, VLT 0-2 E

Group 2
Estell Ohrnstein/Kelau Fukufuji (TP) def. Jennie Gaci/Gwen Paderau (TYR) 6-4, 6-1
Kirsa Zaer/Kim Deal (TOI) def. Michelle Lee/Melanie Braga (AND) 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)

TP 2-0 Q, TOI 2-0 Q, TYR 0-2, AND 0-2

[Sarzonia]

The dominant thought in David Polley's mind heading into his last-minute appearance in the Delaclava Carpet Championships was one man.

Darren Giles.

The two had built up a fierce rivalry of sorts in the Scott Cup. Three times, Polley and Giles met representing their nations in the final of the Scott Cup. Three times, Giles got the better of Polley in the men's singles match. If it weren't for the dominance of Sarzonia's Joann Grimsley in her singles encounters with Albertina Iniesta, Delaclava would be gunning for their fourth consecutive Scott Cup title.

As it was, the host nation of that tournament won its first-ever title after Giles and Iniesta finally outlasted Polley and Grimsley in the mixed doubles match. In the previous two encounters, it was Polley and Grimsley putting aside their differences long enough to survive marathon three-setters.

Polley ought to count his lucky stars that the match between him and Giles in the first round of the Delaclava Carpet Championships in Quinniville was only a best-of-three-sets affair. The two men went at it extremely hard for three sets. Polley took the first set 6-2, which put the pressure squarely on the 37-year-old Giles.

Polley felt a burst of energy in that first set, and he was able to get to balls and smack winners past Giles where he wouldn't even reach them previously. That in itself wasn't that noticeable. After all, Polley usually faced Giles after a lengthy group stage and knockout round combination led to the two battling for the Scott Cup finals. Right now, fatigue wasn't nearly the factor it often is in the late stages of a tennis tournament.

However, Giles was not one to let pressure get to him. At least not yet. Giles played some of the most technically sound tennis he'd played in a number of matches. At least the most technically sound of any match Polley watched. Giles took that all important second set 6-2, setting the stage for a dramatic third set.

Giles began the set with all the momentum he'd gained from wresting control of the match from Polley, leading 5-1 with the ball at his racket serving for the match. However, Polley imagined looking back and seeing Grimsley mocking him for being Giles's bitch once again. He took a deep breath and sliced the hardest backhand in his career past Giles for love-15. The crowd in Quinniville, which had been solidly behind Giles, suddenly got quiet. They could sense something.

What ended up happening was Polley coming back to win the next five games overall, giving Polley an opportunity to win the match outright. All he'd have to do was break Giles's serve, which he'd done three consecutive times. If he managed a fourth consecutive time, Polley would finally have that monkey off his back. However, he foot faulted twice on his next serve.

"Fault!" came the call from the chair umpire.

"Love-15" the announcer intoned.

Polley shook his head, quietly admonishing himself.

C'mon! You can do this! he told himself.

He sent a 125 mile per hour serve screaming at Giles. However, the veteran calmly returned it to where a now-fatigued Polley could not reach.

"Love-30."

Pull yourself together! Polley thought. He reared back and fired, this time at 131 miles per hour. Giles returned it squarely into the net.

"Fifteen-30."

Another serve, this time nicked the very top of the net.

"Net!"

"First service."

Polley thought about challenging it, but he saw an ever so subtle ripple of the net. He just bounced the ball a few times, then reared back and launched his next serve.

Time to charge the net, he thought, when he saw Giles apparently content to exchange groundstrokes with Polley. He rushed in after firing a quick backhand. However, Giles saw his opportunity to put his stamp on the proceedings and calmly lifted the ball over Polley's head. A dead sprint back to the back line led to a desperate attempt to return the ball with his racket between his legs. The ball just bounced cruelly five, six, seven times until it rolled to the net.

"Fifteen-40. Double break point." Another double fault ensued, and Giles had snapped Polley's five-game winning streak.

"Six-all," came the announcement. Since it was the third set, that meant there'd be no tiebreaker. Giles won his next game at love, then Polley managed to gain the momentum one final time. Soon enough, he'd be serving at 40-15 with an opportunity to force yet another set. However, Giles had one last gasp in him, winning the next three points.

"Advantage Giles."

The crowd rose to its feet as one, trying to exhort their hero to a hard-fought victory over his Scott Cup rival.

"Quiet please."

No avail. The crowd just kept going.

"Quiet please," the announcer intoned with more insistence. Finally, the crowd silenced.

"Thank you."

Giles served mightily. Polley had no answer. Ace. Game, set, match to Giles once again. Polley lowered his head in exhaustion, in frustration. Then he lifted his head and opened his eyes. He planned to walk over to Giles to demonstrate his grudging admiration for yet another classic battle. He saw Giles still on his knees.

He raised an eyebrow. That reaction was unlike Giles, at least this early in a competition, and Polley could not have expected Giles to react like that after beating Polley. Finally, Giles staggered to his feet and walked deliberately to the net to shake Polley's hand. As the two embraced and Giles said, "great match," Polley said, "thanks." Then he leaned in.

"Hey, are you all right?"

[The Andromeda Islands]

Andromedan News Service
July 31, 2010
Sports Section
Tennis – The Delaclava Open

Both Andromedan Women’s Doubles Teams faced elimination from the elimination phase in Day 2 of the Delaclava Open. Both teams gave valiant efforts.

In the morning match, Catherine Wynn and Antonia James faced off against Anja Naftziger and Nakesha Schulthess of Voltronica. They played with much more confidence than they did on Day 1.

“Now that we’re used to the surface, we surprised people,” Wynn said.

Antonia James surprised the crowd also. She served the winning point of the tiebreak, an ace the clocked in at just over 200 km/h. It’s the fastest serve ever recorded by an ASTA player.

“I wasn’t aware,” James said. “We were just thinking about winning.”

It was a day of records for Wynn & James. It was the first win by an Andromedan Doubles Team in International Competition.

Antonia James and Catherine Wynn didn’t lose a single service game in the match. Naftziger & Schulthess only broke once.

Wynn and James will play tomorrow for a berth in the semifinals.

FINAL: Wynn & James of Andromeda 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.

The afternoon match ended in controversy. Michelle Lee and Melanie Braga faced Group 2 favorites Kirsa Zaer and Kim Deal of Toiletdonia.

“It was awe-inspiring,” Braga said. “We’ve read so much about them.”

Lee and Braga lost their first service game of the first set. Zaer and Deal won the first set 6-4.

“Other than that first game and the tie-break, we were equal,” Lee said.

“We were intimidated,” Braga admitted. “But we realized that as much as we heard about them, they were our opponents. We weren’t going to give it to them,”

“But the chair umpire did,” Lee complained.

Michelle Lee questioned a call in the second set tie-break. The chair umpire upheld the call, which eventually cost them the match.

“I thought the ball was clearly out,” Lee said. “But the linesman called it in. That was the match.”

“You’ll have to excuse my partner,” Braga said. “She has a Law Degree. She loves to argue.”

Michelle Lee and Melanie Braga will play their final match against Jennie Gaci/Gwen Paderau of Tyrrin tomorrow.

FINAL: Kirsa Zaer and Kim Deal of Toiletdonia 6-4. 7-6 (7-4)

[Delaclava]

For once in his life, Darren Giles was just plain tired.

For one thing, he was 37 years old. He was trying to juggle the Olympics and a tournament at home, and had played numerous three-setters en route to the semifinals. And now he was going to need to probably play another against fellow Delaclav Rocco Davis, the 24-year-old who had breezed through his first two matches in Delaclava and didn't need to struggle much to get to the semifinals of the Olympics. Now he was tied up in a battle with David Polley of Sarzonia, who has been coined almost unanimously by Delaclav media and tennis pros as a worldwide top 5 player, who was nearly as good, who wasn't as old, and wasn't trying to contest the Olympics.

For Polley, Giles was a fierce rival, who seemed almost invincible. Each time at the Scott Cup, it seemed that there was a hope of beating Giles, and each time Giles came out victorious. For Giles, Polley was a rival as well. Polley wasn't someone who Giles could look at in awe - although at this point in time, that could be said for no one - but he saw the Sarzonian as someone who could keep the pressure on.

Which is exactly what Polley did by taking the first set 6-2. Giles took the next one by the same score and then jumped to a 5-1 lead, but as if Joann Grimsley were breathing down her Scott Cup partner's neck, Polley took the set back 6-5 with the opportunity to take a victory against Giles on his fourth try, and officially make the matchup the greatest in the history of men's tennis. However, Giles managed to break while standing on those old, crumbling legs, that reconstructed right knee included, held, and somehow managed to break Polley again for the match.

On the other side of the net, Polley was frustrated after coming up short once again, but graciously accepted defeat and walked to the net to meet Giles. But Giles was still on his knees after that last serve. He wasn't celebrating. He wasn't even remotely happy, nor was he angry or frustrated. The only feeling he had at this point was fatigue pulsing through every cell of his body.

He honestly had no idea what was going on. So after Giles told Polley, "great match", and Polley quietly asked, "Are you all right?" Giles could only say what he knew.

"I think so. These old legs don't have what they used to. Just a bit more tired than usual. I should be fine." Giles weakly smiled at Polley, and Polley returned the smile, all that could be done at this point.

When Giles returned home to his hotel room in Quinniville, he merely dropped his bag and collapsed into a chair. As he sat there, thoughts were again racing through his head.

Seriously, I don't know what's going on. I've never felt like this, ever. After listlessly sitting in silence for a few moments, he thought again, Just go see a doctor in the next few days. Worst case, it's just mononucleosis or Grigoro, and I'll be fine in a few weeks.

And soon, everything would be back to normal for Darren Giles. Or so he thought.

[Delaclava]

MEN'S SINGLES
Group 1
Darren Giles (DEL) def. Pierre L'Enfant (SAU) 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)
David Polley (SRZ) def. Rasheel Rancorous (HEL) 6-2, 6-4

Giles 3-0 Q, Polley 2-1 Q, L'Enfant 1-2, Rancorous 0-3

Group 2
Rocco Davis (DEL) def. Salun Castrova (TOI) 6-2, 6-1
Sean Smith (SAU) def. Jack Hale (MEL) 6-2, 6-3

Davis 3-0 Q, Smith 2-1 Q, Castrova 1-2, Hale 0-3

Group 3
Lor Carta (TOI) def. Stefan Baptiste (SAU) 6-1, 6-1
Marko Hooi (MEL) def. AniKarho Fukufuji (TP) 6-2, 6-2

Carta 3-0 Q, Hooi 2-1 Q, Fukufuji 1-2, Baptiste 0-3

Group 4
Jean-Francois Bonaparte (SAU) def. Verhuk Deut (TOI) 6-3, 1-6, 6-2
Jude Adjei-Kontoh (COS) def. Nicky Mellis (TP) 6-2, 5-7, 6-2

Bonaparte 2-1 Q, Deut 2-1 Q, Adjei-Kontoh 1-2, Mellis 1-2

MEN'S DOUBLES
Group 1
Visha Tacyilisev/Jacob Archeos (DEL) def. Lane Englebrecht/Vito Manwill (VLT) 6-3, 6-1
Lor Carta/Verhuk Deut (TOI) def. Lesley Iacobelli/Edmundo Bruegman (TP) 6-2, 2-6, 7-5

DEL 3-0 Q, TOI 2-1 Q, VLT 1-2, TP 0-3

Group 2
Connor Harvey/Carim Terrazas (MEL) def. Marcus Kay/Nicholas Miron (TYR) 7-6 (7-3), 6-4
Gaston Dellasanta/Lauren Jecklin (TP) def. Trenton Liedke/Hunter Horita (VLT) 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (8-6), 6-3

MEL 2-1 Q, TYR 2-1 Q, TP 1-2, VLT 1-1

WOMEN'S SINGLES
Group 1
Albertina Iniesta (DEL) def. Sharice Mannes (VLT) 6-3, 6-4
Kirsa Zaer (TOI) def. Trudie Osias (TP) 6-4, 6-3

Iniesta 3-0 Q, Mannes 2-1 Q, Zaer 1-2, Osias 0-2

Group 2
Malaika Said (EFL) def. Kara Sorlander (NNT) 6-3, 6-2
Janiece Tejadilla (VLT) def. Patcher Fukufuji (TP) 6-3, 6-4

Said 3-0 Q, Tejadilla 2-1 Q, Sorlander 1-2, Fukufuji 0-3

Group 3
Victoria Fatima (EFL) def. Carolina Riley (COS) 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)
Emilie Burgundy (SAU) def. Contessa Toulson (VLT) 6-4, 6-3

Fatima 3-0 Q, Burgundy 2-1 Q, Riley 1-2, Toulson 0-3

Group 4
Helene Ariadna (TYR) def. Jeanne Ribery (SAU) 6-4, 7-6 (7-5)
Kim Deal (TOI) def. Margrit Meaty (HEL) 6-4, 6-4

Ariadna 2-1 Q, Ribery 2-1 Q, Deal 1-2, Meaty 1-2

WOMEN'S DOUBLES
Group 1
Catherine Wynn/Antonia James (AND) def. Malaika Said/Victoria Fatima (EFL) 2-6, 6-1, 6-2
Arletta Hershnowitz/Mikki Defrancis (TP) def. Anja Naftzger/Nakesha Schulthess (VLT) 6-4, 5-7, 8-6

TP 3-0 Q, AND 2-1 Q, EFL 1-2, VLT 0-3

Group 2
Kirsa Zaer/Kim Deal (TOI) def. Estell Ohrnstein/Kelau Fukufuji (TP) 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 6-3
Michelle Lee/Melanie Braga (AND) def. Jennie Gaci/Gwen Paderau (TYR) 7-6 (7-0), 6-2

TOI 3-0 Q, TP 2-1 Q, AND 1-2, TYR 0-3

Draws to come tomorrow morning.

[Saugeais]

National Journal
Saugeais sails into the knockout round

The group stages finished up today and much to the surprise of all in attendance, Saugeais sends four out of its six tennis members into the knockout stage. Both women, Jeanne Ribery and Émilie Burgundy, are ecstatic over their performance and state they can't wait to continue on. "I must control my excitement, and focus on winning against my opponent tomorrow," says Ribery. Both women finished with 2 wins and 1 loss in their respective groups, and will compete in the semifinals tomorrow. The men's side, however, did not fair as well, with only two of the four competitors qualifying into the knockout round. Jean-François Bonaparte and Sean Smith have made it past the grueling group stage, also with a 2-1 record. "It's great that I was able to move on in my first tournament," claims Bonaparte, out of breath after his long match. "But it will all be worth it if I keep my eyes on the prize." Stefan Baptiste and Pierre L'Énfant, however, did not have the same luck. L'Énfant was only able to squeeze out one win in the group stage, whereas Baptiste didn't manage any wins at all. Says Baptiste after his match, "I could've done a whole lot better, but I guess I wasn't prepared physically or mentally for this tournament."

Stay tuned for future updates on SNN and the National Journal at national-journal.com

[The Andromeda Islands]

Andromedan News Service
Sports Section
Tennis
August 1, 2010

The Andromedan Doubles Teams won both of their Day 3 Matches to end the Group Stage of the Delaclava Open with an even record.

Among the morning matches were Michelle Lee & Melanie Braga’s match against Jennie Gaci & Gwen Padreau of Tyrrin. They would battle for 3rd Place in their group, until the 1st set tiebreak.

“Losing a first set tiebreak can be demoralizing,” Lee said. “I knew we would have the upper hand if we could steal the first set tiebreak.”

“Stealing was hardly the word,” Braga said. “They gave it to us.”

Lee and Braga won the first set tiebreak 7-0. They also forced two service breaks early in the second set.

“We finally got into a groove,” Braga said. “Too bad it couldn’t have happened yesterday.”

Lee and Braga were in attendance for the last doubles match of the day. Catherine Wynn & Antonia James played against Malaika Said & Victoria Fatima. The winner would win the final spot in the double’s semifinals.

Said and Fatima, both undefeated in singles competition, won the first set 6-2.

“Things looked grim,” Wynn said. “But we knew if we could force a third, we’d have a good chance.”

“Malaika Said & Victoria Fatima are both great players,” James added. “I doubt we would have done as well if we also played singles.”

“We also had the crowd on our side,” Wynn added.

Many in the audience cheered for the underdog Andromedans. Both Said and Fatima had a good chance of winning the Women’s singles competition. Wynn and James stood between them and a berth in the doubles semifinals.

Wynn and James won all but three games in the 2nd and 3rd sets, winning 2-6, 6-2, 6-1.

“Today is a great day for Andromeda,” Wynn said.

Wynn and James will likely face Kirsa Zaer and Kim Deal of Toiletdonia in the Semifinals.

[Mossulia]

Carta's Blog

Well here I am after the group stage internet peoples. It was an interesting last day with only 2 of our singles entries going through. Still seeing as I'm through with a perfect record I just can't complain. Other people can though, Salun tasted two defeats in a row to go out, and both the girls crashed out.

It isn't all doom and gloom for the girls though. They managed a perfect record in the doubles group to fire them into the semi-finals of that after a victory over Estell Ohrnstein and Kelau Fukufuji. They may have won but was tight. Still they're through and that's good for them.

Then in the men's doubles me and Deut managed a last day victory over Lesley and Edmundo to put us into the next round as well. It was tight though and we only just scrapped a win in the last set. So all of us apart from Salun will be and I feel sorry for him. Hopefully he can pick himself up and do better next time.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the tournament. In the men's singles there are the two male tennis legends, Darren Giles and David Polly. Both of them have won the Scott cup before and they have played each other a lot in previous years. In truth I would like to face one of them ,preferably in the final. These two won't make it easy for us but I think we still have it in us to win it.

[Delaclava]

Knockout matchups are here!

MEN'S SINGLES QUARTERFINALS
#1 Rocco Davis (DEL) vs. #8 Marko Hooi (MEL)
#4 David Polley (SRZ) vs. #5 Sean Smith (SAU)
#3 Lor Carta (TOI) vs. #6 Jean-Francois Bonaparte (SAU)
#2 Darren Giles (DEL) vs. #7 Verhuk Deut (TOI)

MEN'S DOUBLES SEMIFINALS
#1 Visha Tacyilisev/Jacob Archeos (DEL) vs. #4 Marcus Kay/Nicholas Miron (TYR)
#2 Connor Harvey/Carim Terrazas (MEL) vs. #3 Lor Carta/Verhuk Deut (TOI)

WOMEN'S SINGLES QUARTERFINALS
#1 Albertina Iniesta (DEL) vs. #8 Janiece Tejadilla (VLT)
#4 Sharice Mannes (VLT) vs. #5 Helene Ariadna (TYR)
#3 Victoria Fatima (EFL) vs. #6 Jeanne Ribery (SAU)
#2 Malaika Said (EFL) vs. #7 Emilie Burgundy (SAU)

WOMEN'S DOUBLES SEMIFINALS
#1 Kirsa Zaer/Kim Deal (TOI) vs. #4 Catherine Wynn/Antonia James (AND)
#2 Arletta Hershnowitz/Mikki Defrancis (TP) vs. #3 Estell Ohrnstein/Patcher Fukufuji (TP)

[Mossulia]

Lor Carta threw the ball into the air for a serve. It wasn't right so he collected it up and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He was worried for once. Not worried really, just nervous. He had nearly won it and he wasn't about to blow it now.

Come on, you just need to keep your cool.

He did. With an ace he put himself through.

"Game set and match to Carta," said the announcer.

He went and shook his opponents hand and went back to his seat to see his girlfriend. He was 22 and still managing to go to university and keep his tennis career going. He had a drink and then went back with her. When they got back to his hotel room she started talking to him about something they had been discussing for weeks.

"Look," she said "really you can't keep going like this Lor. Your trying to juggle too much and you really can't keep on like this."

"I'm fine, I just need a pick me up," He said as he lit up a smoke.

"And you need to stop smoking or your going to get cancer," she replied.

"Okay, look. I want to get my PhD and then it'll calm down," he said.

"Fine Lor I'll see you later then."

"Okay then see you later."

He sat down and wrote his blog up about all the action of the day. He decided to take a nap before he went off on his date and then he did. he finally got home at 10 o' clock. He then invited Deut over to watch the draw. They did and Deut came out of it nervous. He had drawn Darren Giles who although was getting on a bit is still feared.

"THE WORLDS NUMBER 1 SEED! Are you kidding me?" exclaimed Deut.

"Oh come on you saw him after the Polly match, he was tired." said Carta.

"I know that but he'll be as good as ever next match," moaned Deut.

"Anything can happen mate. Just go out their and do your best," said Carta.

"My best is no good," said Deut.

"What are you talking about?" said Carta "Your ruddy brilliant!"

"Easy for you to say," said Deut "you don't have the world number one seed next.

In the end Deut cheered up and went home. Carta turned on the TV and watched it late into the night.

[Sarzonia]

David Polley watched closely as his longtime nemesis Darren Giles walked slowly off the court. He exchanged a smile with Giles, who did his best to reassure him that everything was fine, but there was something bothering Polley.

"He just didn't look right," Polley said. "There's normal fatigue for playing multiple tournaments and there's that."

"David, you're not a doctor," said Polley's trainer Lloyd Barclay. "Besides, Darren's 37 years old. He's a marvel for even being able to play at such a high level at his age. If you think playing in the Olympics and here is easy at his age, you try it."

Polley shook his head.

"You may be right," he said. "But I've played Darren enough times to know the kind of shape he's in. There's just something that bothers me about this match. I can't place it."

He wouldn't get much time. After all, he still had his match against Hellhorn's Rasheel Rancorous to play. He decided he'd go get some food from the local Crusty Carl's and get some sleep.

After he awoke to a delicious breakfast served by the hotel staff, he drove his rental car over to the tennis facility. When he got there, he began by warming up a bit. He paid little attention to Giles, who was also getting ready for his match. He glanced up as he was finished with his pre-match stretching routine and saw a male figure stagger somewhat as he left.

Polley shook his head, thinking his imagination must have gotten the better of him. Besides, he didn't see enough to get a clear view of who it was who staggered. Could have just as easily been any competitor who simply needed some alone time with the trainers.

He walked out to the court where he'd be facing Rancorous. He knew his spot in the knockout rounds of the men's tournament would be on the line, and even though Rancorous was 0-2 and Polley was 1-1 and had his match against Giles in the rear view mirror, he figured the Hellhorn native would try to capitalise on the slight fatigue Polley tried to work out with his pre-match stretch.

Sixty-eight minutes later, Polley was approaching the net after a straight sets 6-2, 6-4 victory which propelled him into the knockout rounds. He would later find out that he'd be facing Sean Smith from Saugeais. That wasn't that much of a surprise. However, when tournament organisers told Polley he would be the fourth seed and not Group 4 winner and Smith's countryman Jean-Francois Bonaparte, he raised an eyebrow.

That was until a tournament organiser explained that Polley's record in sets was the likely reason he was set to face Smith as a higher seed instead of Bonaparte as a lower seed.

Delaclava's Rocco Davis was the number one overall seed and would face Marko Hooi. Giles was the No. 2 seed and would face Verhuk Deut of Toiletdonia. Deut's countryman Lor Carta was to face Bonaparte.

"It's going to be a challenge," Polley said. "If the seedings hold up, I'll likely face Rocco Davis in the next round. I've never faced him before, but if he's the number one seed over Darren, he's a guy anyone would definitely have to take seriously."

However, Polley cautioned against looking past Smith.

"There's a reason Smith's the number five seed," he said. "That guy's going to be a tough opponent. I'm going to focus my energies on facing him and then we'll see what happens."