[Tennis/NSTT] Outdoor hard court season 7 [RP/Results]

[TJUN-ia]

Quarterfinals day had arrived in Cenial and the Old Derby had finally arrived at the NSTT. With a spot in the semifinals on the line for the remaining TJUN-ian players, let's see how they all got on.

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Singles Quarterfinals: [25] Valentina Spetsova (TJU) bt Philippe Baloui (TJU) (7-5, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4)

We begin with the Old Derby itself, a rivalry that has only seen peace in the NSTT with the rise of Austina, and today was going to be fun. Never before had the NAU and the CSTO face each other in international competition but here in Cenial, history would be made. Valentina Spetsova, Scarlet herself, the 25th seed and one of the Big 2 in TJUN-ian tennis for the longest time would represent the CSTO. Philippe Baloui, L'artiste, unranked but on fire, claiming both a final appearance and boyfriend in the space of a few weeks, would represent the NAU. No matter who won, TJUN-ia would have a player in the semis. The question was, who?

The first set was a tight affair with both players giving it their all in this contest that would be watched by millions back home. It would be decided via clutch play by Spetsova - first blood CSTO 7-5. The 2nd set was just about Spesova's 6-4 and the CSTO were on the brink of victory here in Cenial. But Baloui wasn't going to just allow the only remaining TJUN-ian seeded player in the Single to get a free pass to the semis and came back in the 3rd set hard, giving the NAU some hop with a 6-4 win. The 4th would be tighter than the scores suggest but in the end, Spetsova and the CSTO won the day with another 6-4.

Both players shook hands at the end of this contest and the CSTO would celebrate a huge victory over the old rival. Scarlet moves on to another semifinal, taking on one of the in-form players in the whole of the NSTT and the man who reverse-swept the Samurai - Fiorenzo Tartoni of San Ortelio. Grab your popcorn because this contest is gonna be fun.

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Doubles Quarterfinals: [13] Shinji Makauchi/Felipe de la Rosa (TJU) bt [11] Elia Xal/Fia Xal (CEN) (6-1, 7-6(10-8))

Speaking of Samurai Shinji, he was still alive in the Doubles with El Matador as they looked to take down one of the favourites to win the completion - Ceni's own Xal twins, Elia and Fia, a representation of what many hope the Li Bo twins can become in the future. No matter that, it was 13 vs 11 - but it didn't look like that in the first set as the TJUN-ians dominated play to take it 6-1. The 2nd set would defiantly be tighter as the Twins pushed this to a tiebreak but in the end, our boys would prevail 10-8 to advance to the Final 4. There, they will take on another ranked pairing - 9th seeds and Ceni's own Coosal Darlcheri and Perger Rianor, who just took down THE #1 pairing in Sonya Gredello and Rosa Levinsky in straight sets. This one should be very interesting indeed...

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Scheduled Matches
Singles Semifinals: Fiorenzo Tartoni (SOR) vs [25] Valentina Spetsova (TJU)
Doubles Semifinals: [9] Coosal Darlcheri/Perger Rianor (CEN) vs [13] Shinji Makauchi/Felipe de la Rosa (TJU)

[Ferret Civilization]

“Long story short, the local tennis competition going on back home is entirely too unprofessional to produce quality candidates to be put into the international tournaments the likes of those more established nations output. This is not the past where a select few maintained a stagnated grip at the top that was easy to undo by wild underdogs here and there, the current iteration of this tennis world is far too diversified for that to happen and trying to repeat the past will work for you eventually if you keep at it and learn on the courts. But that does not change the situation going on back on the domestic courts that have been created. Of course we thought about what if instead of trying to home grow a domestic tennis circuit that instead those looking to find success or whatever playing tennis to go abroad to play and hopefully get picked to play for other states in the international tournaments. But that stance is one that the current government is pushing which led to where you are right now so that would not make much sense. It would be more wise to see if it would be possible to partner with another more established nation to build something new from the ground up that would be able to compete with those on the international courts.” Euan explained the start of the idea that they were working on to help the new Salmagundi tennis players have better success in the future. “Of course that does not help you in the next tournament personally but a long haul project this would help you in the ideally close future and allow future tennis enthusiasts a professional local competition to be proud of like practically every other state that sends out professionals to show off have.”

“Would any of them really be up for opening up to outsiders in either case?” ProudSmith asked.

“Probably not,” Euan admitted, “If everyone went abroad in the less ideal situation they would most likely find that they would be not welcomed or at best unneeded with those states having a full brim of quality native players to choose from and not want to pick local grown foreigners. And even on the other paw they would most likely say no to wanting to partner with another state’s domestic circuit to help what would be future competitors on the international courts. That is why we are bringing it up to you to bring back home. Discuss the idea of being willing to open up your local courts to hopeful outsiders that would not stand at chance in their local arena or willingness to accept the help from institutions abroad should one be so charitable in return.”

“Does not seem like there is much use in hoping there either.” Milo said.

“Of course there should be a lot of doubt about such an idea. However is there much use hoping the current path you are on is much better, for you, and for those that will want to come after you with about the same amount of success each time over and over again. If it does not work out it might be all that you have to work with. Though if it does it will be another revitalization of tennis that the domestic courts back home will surely be needing.” Euan said, “All we ask of you right now is when you go home to discuss if everyone back there wants any additional help. Dagmar and I will be sure to ask around anywhere we can to get a general sense on if any institution would be up to assist with admittedly little to gain in return. It most definitely will not be any of the top of the class nations like the one we are standing in though even in the best outcome.”

“I say we try.” IllusiveTramp said, with the other three agreeing to try something new even if it took time to work out.

“May you have better luck in Mendez Bay.” Euan finished, “And try to enjoy Ceni a little bit, watch the rest of the tournament going on. Get some second hand knowledge from it where possible.”

[San Ortelio]

Fiorenzo was fiddling around with his microphone a little bit, much to the nuisance of the sound technician who rectified the position of it twice. Still, it helped the Ortelian overnight tennis star to compose himself whilst light flashes followed up one another like a drunk stroboscope. The continuous murmuring only ended when the moderator gave the signal to the room and subsequently the floor to one of the dozens of reporters which had gathered in the press gallery. He remembered how it had been after his opening round, with just two compatriots from the writing press and a foreigner journalist who looked lost rather than in search of his commentary.

“Mister Tartoni,” a veteran of the wolfpack opened gallantly, “what was your first thought after the match point against Botack Andiam?”

After some careful consideration, Fiorenzo tried to sound composed yet complex.

“It was a variation of sentiments, euphoria, of course, a main one of them. Every win is a unique feeling but beating someone with this state of service… That’s something extra. But also Muliawan came to my mind. For a second you’re top of the world, the next one everything falls from underneath your feet. It can go fast and I wish him all the best in his recovery.”

That was not one-hundred percent earnest. His first sentiment had been relief over disposing himself of the Cenian household name in just three sets. Andiam had shown himself a diesel at times and he knew that a five set affair could well be out of his limits. And whilst he honestly did feel for the Pemecutanian champ, that realization had only came a few minutes ago when, seated in the dressing room, where he finally had had a second to reflect. ‘A second’ suits the description as he got dragged to this place immediately after.

“Can you win the Cenian Open?” another journalist asked, shouting his question from across the room.
“There’s a chance,” Tartoni smiles mysteriously, “but there was a chance one week ago as well. Back then it was a very small chance, now it’s a bit bigger. It would be silly to say there is no opportunity if you’re among the last four but… It’s still a long road ahead.”

There had been two voices fighting in his head over this one. One that said everything was possible and a second, increasingly loud one, that said that his luck had to run out sooner rather than later. Then again – the latter voice had been here all week and hadn’t been on the ball so far.

“Do you look forward,” it sounded from the front row, possibly from a Deuce writer, “to the confrontation with Valentina Spetsova?”

Tartoni grinned boyishly and lifted two fingers.

“Two. She’s lost two sets so far. Spetsova is an impressive player… Technically very skilled, powerful, determined, …” It almost sounded as if he was infatuated with the TJUN-ian starlet who was more than a decade his junior, but the admiration was solely tennis-related. He knew that, considering his age, he would never reach the potential a player like Spetsova had if she kept developing like this and secretly envied those ambitious and talented youngsters. “So I look forth to this duel like I looked forward to the one with Sabalero or the one with Andiam. My ambition is to measure myself against the very best and Spetsova is one of them.”

“But do you think you can beat her?” the response from the room was.

He hesitated and one of the two voices earned the upper hand.

“Yes. Yes, I do.”

The other voice started giving him an earful, but the damage was done and the frontpages printed.

[Kohnhead]

Mindy Waterford upsets Dewa Putu Adrian Putra in three sets

Coming into the quarterfinals of the Cenian Slam the first Grand Slam and the first tournament of the 7th season of the NSTT, Kohnhead had one singles player left in Mindy Waterford, a mixed nations doubles pair in Marcus Hathwar of Electrum and Spencer Kohnhead, as well as the pair of Riley Dovatin and Melissa Turnface. After the day was up we would be left with two of those as Riley Dovatin and Melissa Turnface would go down while the others would advance into the semifinals.

Dewa Putu Adrian Putra (PCU)     3   5   3
Mindy Waterford (KHD)            6   7   6

This was the matchup Mindy Waterford wanted in order to prove that she was indeed capable of playing on the biggest stage and a match against world number two Dewa Putu Adrian Putra out of Pemecutan was exactly this. Overall while it was competitive for parts of it Mindy looked liked the better player for much of it, motivated and hungry as she has been this tournament. She has been vocal about getting back to the level that she possessed last seaso and the level she feels she can play at. With a three set victory against the number two in the World she has shown she can do this. While the second set was competitive and ended 7-5 in favor of Mindy the first and third sets were less so and both went to Mindy 6-3. A stat to keep in mind as Mindy prepares for her next competitor the notoriously dominant Louis Valarin out of the home crowd in Ceni is that she has only lost three sets this whole tournament despite playing in five matches. This will be a true test for her on the largest stage against Valarin and with a win she would go the furthest a Kohnheadian player has gone in a Grand Slam.

Riley Dovatin/Melissa Turnface (KHD)          4   2
Sara Zhuo/Gyrachor Rentos (ETM/CEN)           6   6

Now over to the doubles side where Dovatin and Turnface suffered an expected loss to Sara Zhou and Gyrachor Rentos out of Electrum and Ceni which is up there on the list of scariest nations a mixed double can be out of. Dovatin and Turnface definitely punched above their rankings and while they made it to the quarters in Hamilton they had a bad run of tournaments after that leading to a slide in the rankings. At the end of the day they just didn't have the talent to defeat Zhou and Rentos; we will see them again in Steinigestrasse where they will attempt to build off of this deep run.

Spencer Kohnhead/Marcus Hathwar (KHD/ETM)     6   6
Oka Sulastra/Luh Putu Yundari (PCU)           4   2

Our mixed duo pairing defeated a Pemecutan duo with Oka Sulastra and Luh Putu Yundari falling to Kohnhead and Hathwar in straight sets. While their top 30 ranks are quite respectable they were not able to beat the 4th seeded duo of Kohnhead and Hathwar who advance to the semifinals. It took them a little while but Spencer Kohnhead and Marcus Hathwar have found their groove as a duo and in this tournament after struggling during their first couple of matches. Next up for them is a meeting with the duo that just defeated Dovatin and Turnface as they are set to meet Zhou and Rentos tomorrow in the semifinals in what will be a semifinal matchup of mixed nation pairs showing how the new rule has been changing things. Ranks say that we are the favored pair but the eye test and the crowd advantage in Cenial might turn that around, no matter what it should be a very entertaining match.

[Ceni]

Terranean Broadcasting Company

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Cenian Open 2021: Varalin advances as Navsal, Andiam fall in quarterfinals

By Zion Berik
TBC Sport in Cenial

January 11, 2021

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There will be four Cenians in the semifinals of the Cenian Open as Lonus Varalin prevailed in an all-Cenian clash with Ardil Navsal.

It was a much anticipated clash between Varalin and Navsal as crowds packed in the Jude Valemartin Stadium to see a battle between the two most successful players in Ceni's tennis renaissance. But it was Varalin, the higher seeded player, who goes through to the semifinals as he won 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3.

Navsal took the first set with a critical break in the tenth game, but Varalin struck right back in the second, again with only one break making the critical difference. In the next two sets, though, Varalin would power through, even if it was not the most technically sound of matches.

"I was definitely tired from my last match," a five-set, several-hour clash with the Dogtaur ProudSmith of Salmagundi, said Navsal, whose inconsistency has been parodied by several foreign media outlets. But that inconsistency definitely showed up today against Varalin, as he broke down in the third set. "I essentially handed Lonus the third set on a silver platter with my errors." The fifth set was more competitive, but Varalin broke Navsal's tiring serve twice, with ease.

It was the second intra-Cenian clash of the tournament for Varalin, who defeated tenth seed Johmer Vales in the Round of 16 to set up the matchup with Navsal. In the post-match interview, Varalin displayed his charateristic taciturn demeanor. "No, this match doesn't mean more to me than any other quarterfinal match," he said. "I mean, Ardil and I are friends off the court, but so what? On the court, we're playing tennis, not making friendship bracelets."

Varalin will face ninth seed Mindy Waterford of Kohnhead in the semifinals after she dealt with second seed Dewa Putu Adrian Putra with ease.

In the other match featuring a Cenian player, wunderkind Fiorenzo Tartoni defeated Cenian stalwart Botack Andiam in straight sets. Although Andiam tried his time-tested agression on the serve, Tartoni matched it stroke for stroke with clinical returns and passing shots. He will play 25th seed Valentina Spetsova for a spot in the final.

In the doubles, Makauchi/de la Rosa upset home favorites
In the doubles side of things, fans flocked to Adio Zevael Stadium to see a star-packed lineup of Cenian doubles players. First off, Elia and Fia Xal were denied an opportunity to play Ronya on home soil when the TJUN-ian pairing of "Samurai Shinji" Makauchi and Felipe "El Matador" de la Rosa took them down in straight sets, 6-1, 7-6. "We give Shinji and Felipe full credit for their inspired play today," Elia said. "We were a little off our rocker in the first set."

"The second set was much more competitive," she added, "and Felipe and Shinji were playing well at just the right moments. Of course, timing is everything in this sport."

As it turned out, though, that dream match between Ronya and the Xals would not have happened anyway, because Coosal Darlcheri and new partner Perger Rianor took down Ronya in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. This is Darlcheri and Rianor's first tournament together, after Darlcheri split up with his longtime partner Gyrachor Rentos due to a well-publicized and long-lasting divorce battle and Rianor's older brother and former partner Ricpeer retired.

"This was actually a really good opportunity to play Ronya, since I've played them before back in the old era, back when I was partnered with Gyrachor," Darlcheri said. "I was glad to see that they continued their solid playing, and I was glad that this was a super competitive match."

"And he's even more glad that we beat them," interjected Rianor with a smile.

Darlcheri and Rianor will face Makauchi and de la Rosa, the TJUN-ian athletes who beat the Xal sisters.

On the other side of the doubles draw, Rentos and new partner Sara Zhuo swatted past Riley Dovatin and Melissa Turnface, both of Kohnhead, 6-4, 6-2. With Zhuo at the baseline and Rentos at the net, they have been unstoppable this tournament, not dropping a single set.

To be fair, though, they will face tougher opposition than they have faced so far in the semifinal, as they face Spencer Kohnhead of Kohnhead and Marcus Hathwar of Electrum. That match, of course, will represent the success of the NSTT's rule change to allow for more mixed pairings, regardless of the winner.

[Ceni]

This is the semifinal cutoff everyone's been waiting for!

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Singles — Semifinals

Fiorenzo Tartoni (SOR)       4   6   4   6   6
Valentina Spetsova (TJU)     6   4   6   3   2

Mindy Waterford (KHD)        6   6   5   3   6
Lonus Varalin (CEN)          4   3   7   6   2

Doubles — Semifinals

Coosal Darlcheri/Perger Rianor (CEN)          4   6   3
Shinji Makauchi/Felipe de la Rosa (TJU)       6   4   6

Sara Zhuo/Gyrachor Rentos (ETM/CEN)           5   6   6
Spencer Kohnhead/Marcus Hathwar (KHD/ETM)     7   3   2

[TJUN-ia]

Semifinals day in Cenial. This was a humungous day as the 4 entrees remaining in both the Singles and the Doubles fought for a spot in the Final itself and a shot of the first trophies of Season 7 of the NSTT. TJUN-ia had a representative in both, but could they rise today?

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Let's begin with one of the most eagerly-anticipated contests of this tournament so far, as a scourge of TJUN-ia played Scarlet herself for a spot in the Singles Final. We are all familiar with Fiorenzo Tartoni of San Ortelio, the only player to beat Jean van de Kloor at the Diamond Trophy and the player who came back from 2 sets down to reverse-sweep Shinji Makauchi. The unseeded player has been playing like one all-tournament so it was fitting that it would be he who would fight 25th seed Spetsova in the semis.

It would be as good of a contest as many would've expected. The first 3 sets were all decided by tight margins and it would be some great play that decided them all, Scarlet taking 1 and 3 while "Tiebreak Tartoni" (which is certainly the best non-TJUN-ian nickname I've seen so far in the NSTT) took the 2nd. At 2-1 up in sets, Valentina had the advantage but Fiorenzo produced a second wind of epic proportions that seemed fitting of San Ortelio as a nation. He took the 4th 6-3 and crushed TJUN-ian hearts 6-2 to set himself up with a date with 9th seeded Mindy Waterford tomorrow. Screw TJUN-ia vs Ceni, the Singles Final would be San Ortelio vs Kohnhead.

But that doesn't muddy how brilliant Scarlet has been in her 4th Grand Slam. Making the semis is tough normally but a Grand Slam is just painful to try and somehow, she made it to this point as a player many assumed was more suited to the doubles. The 18-year-old from Szensky continues to surprise and there is no doubt now on whether she is capable of competing strongly in both categories of the sport. No matter who wins tomorrow, she will be in the Top 15 at the end of this tournament and the #1 TJUN-ia Singles Player over De Kloor. Valentina will be both Queen of TJUN-ian Singles and, with The Cowboy, Queen of TJUN-ian Doubles. She isn't just CSTO's girl anymore, she may as well be the Queen of TJUN-ian Tennis.

Singles Semifinals: Fiorenzo Tartoni (SOR) bt [25] Valentina Spetsova (TJU) (4-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2)

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But the fall of Scarlet in the Singles didn't mean TJUN-ian interest was over in Cenial. Samurai Shinji and El Matador were in the Doubles semis, taking on the only full team from the hosts left in this tournament: the 9th seeds of Coosal Darlcheri and Perger Rainor. Ceni only returned to the NSTT during the final acts of last season but have already made an impact with a Tier 1 Singles Title, 2nd at the ITT and the Doubles crown at the Diamonds with the Xal Twins - who Makauchi and de la Rosa beat yesterday to set up this contest. As one of the GOATs of the NSTT, Ceni thinks it can just reclaim the throne of this sport but, as I have already said in DEUCE, that isn't assured. There are a few nations that do have a good argument of being the best in the sport and while Ceni is one of them, they aren't the rulers by right.

So this contest wasn't just about letting Ceni know where it stood in the modern NSTT, but it was also about Shinji and Felipe proving that they can compete with the elite of the sport on their day. In this contest, they would certainly play as they did. The first set was tight but just about went to the TJUN-ian friends 6-4. The 2nd was just as tight but went to the experienced Darlcheri and new partner Rianor 6-4. The 3rd and final set would be decisive and, by some miracle, the TJUN-ian held on to win it 6-3 and to claim a finals spot for only the 2nd time as a team. They bear hug on the court they made after the handshakes would make the back pages just in time for tomorrow's main event.

I did mention Derlcheri had recently changed teammates but in the final, our Samurai and El Matador will face that former teammate. Local player Gyrachor Rentos joined forces with Electrum's Sara Zhou just before this tournament and these two players, from two nations many would consider GOATs of the sport, have been pretty good as the 5th seeds. Now, in the final of the first tournament of Season 7, a Grand Slam title will either go to these two GOAT nations or to a TJUN-ia who very much wants to join them. Will Zhou and Rentos join the team they beat in the semis, Electrumite Marcus Hathwar and Spencer Kohnhead himself, as the 2nd mixed-nationality team to win in this NSTT? Or will Samurai Shinji and El Matador, tennis friends long before the NSTT came back, join #Austina and De Kloor in the TJUN-ian Hall of Fame? Tomorrow will be a definite climax, as TJUN-ia takes on two of the best for the first trophy of the season...

Doubles Semifinals: [13] Shinji Makauchi/Felipe de la Rosa (TJU) bt [9] Coosal Darlcheri/Perger Rianor (CEN) (6-4, 4-6, 6-3)

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Scheduled Match
Doubles Final: [13] Shinji Makauchi/Felipe de la Rosa (TJU) vs [5] Sara Zhuo/Gyrachor Rentos (ETM/CEN)

[Kohnhead]

Mindy Waterford to the finals as Kohnhead and Hathwar lose in three

If I had told you before the tournament that Mindy Waterford made the finals after upsetting 8th seeded, home town legend Louis Varalin in the semifinals would you have believed me? Would you have believed me if I had added that she would be playing unseeded Fiorenzo Tartoni out of relative (relative to Kohnhead) NSTT newcomers San Ortelio after beating one of our rivals finest? This has been a crazy start to the 7th season in NSTT as we make our return to Ceni and will it end with Mindy Waterford's first trophy and glory to Kohnhead?

Mindy Waterford (KHD)        6   6   5   3   6
Lonus Varalin (CEN)          4   3   7   6   2

Mindy Waterford hadn't lost a set in seven straight sets heading into this match, she was playing angry, hungry, and motivated and that continued right into her start against Louis Varlrin. Drowing out the crowd noice as best as she could for the first two sets she captured them 6-4 6-3 but needed just one more set to put away Varalin for good. However Varalin wasn't going to just give her a spot in the finals just like that and he made the third set a battle and it was tied at five games a piece. That's when Mindy started to really feel the pressure, she had let her emotions drown out the distractions but she couldn't do it for any longer. Just like that she lost both of the next two games to lose the set and lost the fourth set 6-3. For a Kohnheadian watching it was the worst possible scenario, Varalin had all the momentum and it looked like Mindy had finally broke on the biggest stage; a stage she had never been on in her life.

Mindy put all this to rest with a dominant 5th set in a 6-2 victory that sealed her position in the finals of a Grand Slam and not just any Grand Slam. This is the Cenian Open a tournament in its 7th edition and the opener to the NSTT season, this is quite possibly the biggest Grand Slam of the season and possibly the biggest tournament on the season although the NSTT Finals are probably more important this has the historical signifigance as well. Mindy's opponenet will be as mentioned before the surprising Fiorenzo Tartoni out of San Ortelio in his third tournament ever. It isn't the Kohnhead-TJUN rivalry many were hoping with Spetsova losing to Tartoni but despite being unseeded Tartoni is cleary so so much better than his ranking. Mindy will have her hands full and we will have to see if she can keep her composure for an entire match like in her quarterfinals match and unlike the almost meltdown against Varalin. No matter what happens she should be proud of herself and all of Kohnhead will be cheering for her to win the Cenian Open.

Sara Zhuo/Gyrachor Rentos (ETM/CEN)           5   6   6
Spencer Kohnhead/Marcus Hathwar (KHD/ETM)     7   3   2

Sadly Kohnhead and Hathwar will not also be making it to the Finals as they fall in a three set battle to Sara Zhou and Gyrachor Rentos of Electrum and Ceni. If you haven't learned anything yet it's that Electrum might be the doubles powerhouse of the NSTT as Hathwar despite being a top 15 athlete heading into this tournament was only the 4th best Electrum doubles player in the rankings and would be behind Deanne Smith if she had played. Instead Smith's partner Sara Zhou teamed up with Rentos from Ceni and led by the home crowd they managed to overpower Kohnhead and Hathwar who are on a very good string of results. While we won the first set it was quite close and as Kohnhead and Hathwar grew more nervous and less composed as the match went on while Zhou and Rentos seemed to settle in winning 6-3 and 6-2. Good luck to them in the Finals where they will be taking on the TJUN-ian duo of Shinji Makauchi and Felipe de la Rosa.


Let's go Mindy, win the Cenian Open

[San Ortelio]

As Fiorenzo entered the Judi Valemartin Stadium, he had to shield his eyes for a second from the sun protruding from above the packed stands. Even if their home favorite had not made it into the final confrontation, the Cenians had come out in waves to witness the highlight of their domestic Grand Slam. This is it, he thought, this is everything.

They claim that when you die, you see your life flashing in front of you. If that’s the case, then Fiorenzo was having a near-death experience. His dad, who struggled to connect with the young toddler for so long, changing into a caring father overnight when he could teach him how to slice. The hours spend on the ratty stretch of asphalt in the nearest dead end, smashing it over and over against a blind wall until he missed his touch and wrecked a window. The first victories, the first trophies and the never satisfied lust for success it had given him. The dominance at the domestic scene, the knowledge that he could win when and where he wanted. The excitement over a new, fresh challenge internationally and now…

This is it, he thought, this is the pinnacle, this is everything I ever worked for. This was a time to look the sun straight in the eye, he believed and as he removed his hand from his brow, he felt satisfactory light as he basked in the warmth of the introduction.

[Ceni]

2021 Cenian Open: The Pick, finals edition

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1/13/2021 - Vyri Arcaina, chief correspondent

Singles Final: Fiorenzo Tartoni (SOR) vs. (9) Mindy Waterford (KHD)
This is certainly an unanticipated final, as publications from across the multiverse have pointed out — at the beginning of the tournament, we picked Tartoni to fall in the Round of 16 to world number 1 Bartolo Sabanero, while we thought Mindy Waterford would lose in the quarterfinals to Dewa Putu Adrian Putra. Obviously, we picked wrong in those two matches — Tartoni defeated Sabanero, and Waterford beat Putra. And of course, both players followed up on those gigantic wins: Tartoni defeated world no. 7 Botack Andiam (a home favorite, no less) in the quarterfinals and 25th seed Valentina Spetsova of TJUN-ia in the semifinals, while Waterford defeated eighth seed and home favorite Lonus Varalin in the semifinals.

So how will these two players stack up in the final? On paper, Waterford has a massive rank advantage — but this wouldn't be the first time an unheralded contender has won the Cenian Open. After all, wild card Riley Escobar of the Andromeda Islands did win this tournament a few years back.

In terms of strengths on court, Tartoni will likely clobber Waterford on the forehand wing, with his powerful, whipsaw forehand and her less powerful, inconsistent one. But on the backhand wing, Waterford has the advantage. And we'll give Waterford the advantage at the net as well. Unfortunately for Waterford, the match will probably be decided on the forehand side of things — so we believe Tartoni will win.

Doubles Final: (13) Shinji Makauchi/Felipe de la Rosa (TJU) vs (5) Sara Zhuo/Gyrachor Rentos (ETM/CEN)
On this one, we did a little better initially, predicting that Zhuo and Rentos would reach the final from the bottom half. But we didn't predict the absolute mayhem that Makauchi and de la Rosa would cause on the top half — we thought they would lose in the quarterfinals to the Xal sisters. Not only did they defeat the former Cenian Open champions, but they also followed that up by defeating Coosal Darlcheri and Perger Rianor, who themselves defeated Rosa Levitsky and Sonya Gredello of Electrum. They have shown an incredibly high aptitude for tennis in the past week and a half.

Both teams have something to play for in this final: Makauchi and de la Rosa will try to continue TJUN-ia's quest to force Ceni to earn "the throne of this sport," as TJUN-ian publication Deuce put it; Zhuo will want to preserve what has become an Electrumite domination over the doubles rankings; Rentos will want to avenge the defeat of his partner and prove to TJUN-ia that Ceni has, in fact, earned a place at the top of this sport.

We'd normally give Zhuo and Rentos the edge, just because of the crowd support — but Makauchi and de la Rosa have proven that they can ignore the cold treatment and the booing the Cenian crowd has given them with their victories over the Xal sisters and Darlcheri and Rianor. They clearly have a mental edge, and we think they'll win the final — but even if they don't, they'll be a force in tennis for the rest of the season.

[Ceni]

Here we are, the moment of truth — it's the final countdown!

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Singles — Final

Fiorenzo Tartoni (SOR)     6   4   6   4   6
Mindy Waterford (KHD)      4   6   3   6   4

Doubles — Final

Shinji Makauchi/Felipe de la Rosa (TJU)     5   6   6
Sara Zhuo/Gyrachor Rentos (ETM/CEN)         7   2   8

[TJUN-ia]

Doubles Final: [5] Sara Zhuo/Gyrachor Rentos (ETM/CEN) bt [13] Shinji Makauchi/Felipe de la Rosa (TJU) (7-5, 2-6, 8-6)

And that is that. In a superb contest that went down to the wire, TJUN-ia was told to sit down and wait for its turn in the limelight of the NSTT. As Tartoni took the Singles to issue a new era, the Doubles showed us the old guard isn't ready to let go of their power just yet.

But we have seen this story before. One day, TJUN-ia will rise to the elite. Some may say we already have, but I believe that to be false. Until we get a player in the Top 10 of the Singles and continue to place highly in the doubles, we cannot consider ourselves to be among the elite in this sport.

New blood will test their strengths in Mendez Bay and from there...who knows. There is change in the air but the full scope of it all may not be felt until the next Grand Slam in Electrum.

[Ferret Civilization]

After another get together with the old Ferret tennis team they took the last simple piece of advice and went to watch the quarterfinals take place. IllusiveTramp was most humored in learning that the San Ortelio player Fiorenzo took on Bartolo and came out the solid winner after three sets with only one possibly looking iffy in the middle. While Fiorenzo was not a qualifier or wild card it made her think that if the Qasden player Ven van der Vin had been the one to play against him at the very start of this tournament he would have had a better chance to possibly win given how other players had upset the upper proven competitors. Now the San Ortelio player was taking on another Ceni challenger from Botack in the quarterfinals, one which saw Fiorenzo continue to dominate over the higher ranked thus supposedly better tennis players. There were also the two matches that had the same nation playing against themselves with those from Ceni and TJUN-ia to make it so that each individual player in the semifinals would be playing for a different state on the singles side of things. When it came to the doubles side of things which each match was rather decisive with no third set of games would see some players from the same nation play but that was more due to the mixed national teams messing that up. It was definitely a setup that would have been quite foreign to hear of just a few seasons ago.

With that round out of the way the Salmagundi team was still out of the tournament, no magical event had seen them somehow return, so all that there was to do now was relax. While financial concerns were still there the state of Ceni certainly had plenty of free activities to take part in with things that the old Ferret team had done trailblazing the sites that this new Salmagundi group would have to start over from scratch and do it again. When it came to the heavily urbanized nation state there were now two very different views of it, one from the Ferrets which were the same as those that saw the place before them and the Dogtaurs which were seeing whole new sights. Ferrets were rather used to heavily urbanized areas, even if the inhabitants were largely different from them with the pun intended, though the use of having artificial areas set aside for nature was foriegn. Though that probably had to due with Ceni being an island, one could not just walk out of the urban center and out into the wilds unless you considered swimming across an ocean traversing the wilds. To the Dogtaurs the urban areas were practically cramped with the parks and such being a lot more freeing and on the plus side of being actually free to enjoy.

The next day when it came to the semifinals the two males on the team were interested in seeing what would happen to the Ceni player Lonus who had beaten Ardil after he had beaten the both of them. With Lonus being ranked eighth and the Kohnhead player Mindy being ranked ninth it seemed like a standard outcome after the higher ranking players were knocked out. So they were ready to watch that match take place the two females on the team were ready to watch how Fiorenzo who continued to punch above their weight would take on what should be a supposedly easier competitor Valentina from TJUN-ia. Though that would have been doing the TJUN-ia player a disservice since they had to fight their own uphill battles to get to this point as well and should have comparably had an easier time here if one did not look at the past at all. Both matches would end up taking the same amount of games to complete with both going into the five set range to determine who would be facing each other in the grand finale. While not so stunning when considering what the San Ortelio player had just finished doing the previous two days they would be the ones to come off the winner to face off against the Kohnhead player who defeated the Cenian. That would have shocked the old Ferret team given how they used to rule over tennis without much worry.

The next day would see the two go at it in another five set match to see the current center of attention Fiorenzo not falter but it seemed thrive in the spotlight to win the tournament and hopefully without a doubt make all of San Ortelia proud of them and their accomplishments for a long time out of just this tournament alone.

“Think we will have a chance with Mendez Bay?” Milo asked after the tournament was wrapped up for another year.

“Of course we have a chance, a lot better of one since we will not have to face any of those players on the court there.” ProudSmith said.

“Well we will still have to go up against others that came from the same training as they did even if it is not throwing them instantly into success. They will probably have no issue making us pushovers even if we have more evened chances. Probably win some more though before that point comes.” Odelia said after.

“Can not do any worse in the doubles side of things now can we.” IllusiveTramp said even though the statement could have sounded like a question.

“No, I do not think we can.” ProudSmith said to that.

[San Ortelio]

“What an opportunity are you receiving right now, it’s beautiful!”

Domenico Lunghi knew that the person on the other side of the line expected a wholehearted ‘thank you’ after that, but he simply couldn’t get the words over his lips. Deep down, it felt more like a one-year sentence rather than a lucky shot. It’s not… It’s not that Domenico does not like playing tennis. He thoroughly enjoys the game, the variety it offers, how it neatly met the crossroads of technique and physical prowess. So if he enjoyed it, why on earth did he have to fight back the tears during this call, with a generous sun shining over him and a marvelous overview of the ocean and the harbor of Mendez Bay? It nearly sickened him, the knowledge that less fortunate – both literal and proverbial – tennis players would offer a finger for this opportunity and he…

“It’s a great sight, grandpa,” he replied as flatly as possible.
“I can imagine! The biggest tennis stars are not there but well, it’s a good first step. How is the crowd?”

Lunghi looked around. As the opening round of the qualifiers mainly consisted of unranked players, with barely any of them known to the locals on the court, the public interest was understandably still modest. Yet, his heart broke a little over the anticipation of his grandfather.

“Great, this stadium can hold up to nine thousand fans and there are flags everywhere,” he replied – both technically not lies.
“Marvellous, marvellous,” Flavio Lunghi mused and for a minute, he became a grandfather, “enjoy that moment.”

Just for a minute.

“But do know we need some positive publicity. After that Tartoni victory, his clan thinks the meridian runs straight between their ass cheeks – they’ve setting up billboards across the country with his face and publicity for their tennis clubs… The only good thing about it is that he won’t be in Northwest Kalactin. But you know what to do after each victory, tell the press how important the SOTA has been in your successes.”

Each? Each victory? What on earth were they assuming of Domenico? After all, he was an eighteen-year old, debuting player who came into a tier that seemed much above weight category. At the other side of the net, he would find Grace Covalt. The Kohnheadian veteran, fourteen years his senior, was not really the ace of her country, but had a decent track record in these early qualifier rounds and was hardened by it. After all, she had been just a few inches from beating Graziano Giunti in the qualifiers in Ceni, an often overlooked match that could have made his Giunti's Cinderella story nil and void.

It hit Domenico once more, he was not here for his ambitions or interests. He was here as the sandwich man for Flavio Lunghi, president of the SOTA and very eager to cement his position ahead of the end-of-year elections. The ‘clan of the Tartoni’s’, as grandpa insisted on calling him, had acquired the majority of the tennis courts in the country and his strategy to keep them at bay appeared to be two-pronged: making sure young players kept their allegiance to him and finding rich investors to financially push back.

With a little bit of nuisance, Lunghi fumbled on the Banco Fenice logo which had been stitched to the sleeve of his tennis shirt. The large, green phoenix clashed from an aesthetic point of view, but that was not the reason why he wanted to rip it off. But there would be pictures of this game for sure and the first thing… It was not an option. A wave of disgust overwhelmed him and Domenico just wanted this conversation to end.

“Ok, I think they’re calling my name, I have to go, grandpa,” he insisted.
“Sure, good luck,” Flavio replied but he had to end with, “and show your shirt to the press.”

With a sigh of relief, Domenico pressed the button to call it an end. The hallway to the courts seemed cold and empty, even if people kept on passing him by. One of them was Mirco Tonti, the short and short-tempered prince of the San Ortelian youth categories. Although everyone had claimed he lacked the stature for top-level tennis, Tonti persisted at every step. His opener against Upondan Long Blee was just another barrier along the way he looked forth to breaking. Tonti had one of those badges on his sleeve as well, as part of the youth program.

“So, good luck, Mirco!” Domenico tried to get the negative vibes out of his head.
“Yeah, whatever,” Mirco sniffed and off he was.

Pro tennis is a lonely spot, Domenico realized.

[TJUN-ia]

Welcome to the Mendez Bay, Northwest Kalactin! A beautiful seaside city with the best of the warm weather, it is here on the shore that we will see the next generation of TJUN-ian players take to the court for the very first time in the NSTT. We haven't had any new blood on the scene since the original gang debuted and the beginning of Season 6 but with change in the air, the TFT feel that the time is right to build up the next stars of the game we love. These 8 players, 4 in the singles and 2 new doubles pairings, were chosen in order to fill gaps the originals had in their aim to represent all of TJUN-ia and while they have shown promise in the regional game, we don't know for sure how well they will do in the international game. Will the next Jean van de Kloor or Valentina Spetsova come from this group of players? I guess we will have to wait and see...

---

SINGLES
Pedro Sanchez de la Cruz
Age: 21
Nickname: El Diamante (The Diamond)
Hometown: Carlandas, UAC Zone

El Diamante got that nickname for a reason. Not because of his background, he actually came from a working-class family in the capital of the UAC, but because the first player to play in the NSTT from the UAC may be giving Alfonso Mercado a run for his money as one of the cutest athletes to come from that region. He plays like a cute boy as well, with a playstyle that seems to be a mix of both Philippe Baloui and Austin McDanielson - delicate in regular play but hard and fast when he wants to be. Many people over in the UAC feel he is the perfect tennis player, with the best aspects you need to succeed in this game, but can he prove that in the NSTT?

He is the only player in the Singles to play qualify for the Ro64 as a wildcard, taking on 4th seed Komang Agus Artawan of Pemecutan in a few days' time.

Hakim Kalah-Mustafa
Age: 19
Nickname: The Judge
Hometown: Al Kalifa, ArU Zone

With a nickname based on the English translation of his Arabic name, The Judge is the first player from ArU to play in NSTT. With a playstyle based on honouring the opponent and giving his all with respect, the main aspects of this guy are fair play and having a good time. In this regard, he may be seen as similar to Joe Katsi, but is he as good as the lovable UO-er? He may not be known for much in the regional game, but many over in Al Kalifa feel that their man can shine in this competitive environment.

He will play Regina Bennett of Silvedania in QR1 for an opportunity against Qasden's Kora Sunder in QR2. If he makes the main draw, he will take on 10th seed Eva Sarvan of Acastanha in the Ro64.

Jasmin Wayverson
Age: 19
Nickname: The Wayver of Dreams
Hometown: Port Town/Portuaria, CU Zone

The CU joins the rest of TJUN-ia in the NSTT, finally, and they are bringing The Wayver of Dreams with them to Mendez Bay. From the capital of Port Town (or Portuaria, whatever you prefer), she's a quick and nimble player with a playstyle unseen in the TJUN-ian scene - all about fats play and fast shots. She can be a bullet on the court and shoot bullets when she needs to. Have I mentioned how quick she is yet? Anyway, she's pretty fast and very bubbly but will the wild world of the NSTT slow her down?

She will play Martin Lane of Kohnhead (of course) in QR1 for an opportunity against Bucklin's Emilio Robles in QR2. If she makes the main draw, she will take on 3rd Bianca Ardent of Gergary in the Ro64.

Ken Pollock
Age: 18
Nickname: KP-EZ
Hometown: Peninsula, JB TJUN-ia

Lastly in the Singles, we have KP-EZ, a player from NSSCRA town who fits into the stereotypes of an NSSCRA fan as well. He loves the thrill of that series and he plays like a thrill as well, taking everyone on as if they were the #1 player in the world. He also thinks that every game is easy for him, hence the nickname "KP-EZ". Will he find this easy then?

He will play Hoorain Anderson of Flexanewmega in QR1 for an opportunity against Qasden's Ven van der Vin in QR2. If he makes the main draw, he will take on Dusan Ventaromovich of Beepee in the Ro64.

---

Doubles
Kendra Fulhampton/Micheal Fulhampton

Kendra
Age: 17
Nickname: The Sister of the Capital
Hometown: TJUN-ia City, JB TJUN-ia

Michael
Age: 17
Nickname: The Brother of the Capital
Hometown: TJUN-ia City, JB TJUN-ia

Our first doubles pairing are siblings, twins even, from TJUN-ia City itself - a city we don't really see much from in terms of tennis. The "Twins of the Capital" with the blood of tennis royalty in their veins, they decided (reluctantly) to combine their efforts in order to give the Fulhampton name the respect is deserved worldwide. Some may say that is a good driver of success, while others feel they are rich snobs who will argue the second they are on the court. No one knows for sure what to expect from them in the NSTT...

They are entered into the Ro64 as a wildcard. They will take on 4th seeds Putu Listya Dewi and Putu Ayu Maherani from Pemecutan in a few days' time.

Kayla McKerrin/Vladimir Boiyskovsky

KM
Age: 19
Nickname: Little Miss Dynamite
Hometown: New Washington, NAU Zone

VB
Age: 20
Nickname: The Quiet One
Hometown: Szensky, CSTO Zone

And finally, we have what many are calling Austina 2: Electric Boogaloo. Little Miss Dynamite, from New Washington and full of character, and The Quiet One, from Szensky and reserved off the court, may seem like an attempt to repeat the success of Scarlett and The Cowboy - and that is exactly what this is. The NATF and CSTOFT both feel that combining their forces in the doubles again can only be a good thing and so, they are trying to repeat the magic with these older players. While they may be green to the international scene, thee guys may actually be a target the Austina stans want to aim for - they already are an item and they have some cute photos together on the internet.

They will play Simon Oxford and Will Washer of Qasden in QR1 for an opportunity against Kohnhead's Milicent Broon and Alexander Dumor (of course) in QR2. If they make the main draw, they'll take on Jan Turovets and Vitaly Rakov of Waisnor in the Ro64.

---

Scheduled Matches

SINGLES - Qualifying Rounds
Q1: Hoorain Anderson (FLX) vs Ken Pollock (TJU) (17/01)
Winner plays Ven van der Vin (QAD) in QR2
Q5: Hakim Kalah-Mustafa (TJU) vs Regina Bennett (SIL) (17/01)
Winner plays Kora Sunder (QAD) in QR2
Q8: Jasmin Wayverton (TJU) vs Martin Lane (KHD) (17/01)
Winner plays Emilio Robles (BUC) in QR2

DOUBLES - Qualifying Round 1
Q1: Kayla McKerrin/Vladimir Boiyskovsky (TJU) vs Simon Oxford/Will Washer (QAD) (17/01)
Winner plays Milicent Broon/Alexander Dumor (KHD) in QR2

SINGLES - Round of 64
[3] Bianca Ardent (GGY) vs Q8 (19/01)
[10] Eva Sarvan (ACS) vs Q5 (19/01)
Q1 vs Dusan Ventaromovich (BPE) (19/01)
[4] Komang Agus Artawan (PCU) vs [WC] Pedro Sanchez de la Cruz (TJU) (19/01)

DOUBLES - Round of 32
Jan Turovets/Vitaly Rakov (WSN) vs Q1 (20/01)
[4] Putu Listya Dewi/Putu Ayu Maherani (PCU) vs [WC] Kendra Fulhampton/Micheal Fulhampton (20/01)

[Ferret Civilization]

With the Cenian Open was over with it was a trip from Cenial, Ceni to Mendez Bay, Northwest Kalactin for the aptly named Mendez Bay Open. Once they got there and got settled to wait for the schedule to the tournament to come out while getting acclimatized to the new location. Once they learned of when they were going to play they were surprised that thanks to their rather short stint in playing in the previous tournament rather than starting new in this one like some other states were choosing to do with their players they were able to skip over the qualifiers completely on the singles side of things. That was a few more days of rest and practice there without the risk of being kicked out by what should supposedly be fellow novice players on the court in the qualifiers but the qualifiers now had the advantage of being more into the matches once they got into the main tournament itself. Odelia and IllusiveTramp would both be going up against Acastanha players Iris and Lucas respectively in the first round of the tournament. Milo would be going up against Aqual player Rafael with ProudSmith who on paper was the best player on the Salmagundi team going up against The Grearish Union player Margie. That meant that they would not be seeing any of the qualifying players in the first round at least, and if they saw them later on it would be a sign that they were a skilled challenge to look out for. On the doubles side due to the first round knockout while being wildcards Odelia and IllusiveTramp were put in the second round of qualifiers to either face either Nova Anglicana players Karl and Gabe or Flexanewmega players Massimo and Hoorain. Whoever won there would go on to give the two of them a challenge to get into the main draw of the tournament that they would hopefully win to join Milo and ProudSmith. The two of them would be going up against Flexanewmega wildcard players Verity and Hoorain in the first round of the tournament.

“You think Dagmar is having any luck?” Milo said one the first day in Mendez Bay while the group spent a quiet morning watching the sun rise over the ocean on the beach.

“Well we did our part, hopefully we have some luck as well since the idea would be a two way street.” Odelia said.

In between Cenial and Mendez Bay they did stop over back home to bring up the idea to partner with another nation to everyone that they could to get the word around. It was up to the majority to decide if they wanted the help and up to Dagmar to be able to find if anyone wanted to help, two things that had to go in a certain way in order to work out. For now the team just had to focus on doing their best in this tournament, if they did well it might reflect good enough on their home courts to get an outsider to want to help believing it would make positive returns on investment.

[Acastanha]

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Preparation for Mendez Bay

---

---

Cenian Open as the opening tournament of the season has ended. Acastanhada players have give their best effort even though the result is still mediocre. Miguel Taberon/Pedro Arrachar become the last player who stand in the competition when they were defeated by host double, Elia/Xia Fal in the Third Round. This result also increase their points significantly. This make they are ineligible to enter Mendez Bay Open. To fill the empty that left by Taberon/Arrachar, Federação Acastanha de Tênis (FAT) is selected a young pair to enter the competition. They are André Bapako/Isis Dimpal.

19 years old player, André Bapako is born in Cabo do Sol, the capital of Cabo Province. He is interested in tennis after seeing his uncle playing it once during their family vacation. He is enroll into Cabo Tennis Club which is located in the city. Playing as a single at first, now he is focusing on double after being pair with Isis Dimpal. Bapako has a strong forehand and quite good in netting. Although he is quite aggressive but sometimes it could back fire to himself.

Isis Dimpal is born in Nascente, a small town in Nascente Island. At the age of 18 years old, she is considered a promising athlete of the country. She is pair with Bapako for almost a year. And is considered to selected in mid season 7. She is a good rally player and have a great lob. Her backhand is rather weak. The combination between an agressive Bapako and patient Dimpal is surely very attractive.

Bapako/Dimpal will be playing in qualifying round of Mendez Bay Open. The only Acastanhada players to do so. They are playing against Mirco Tonti/Leandro Baliani from the surprising newcomer country, San Ortelio.

[Northwest Kalactin]

Cutoff!

Singles Qualifiers
Hoorain Andersen (Q) (FLX)        2   3
Ken Pollock (Q) (TJU)             6   6

Long Blee (Q) (UPD)               6   7
Mirco Tonti (Q) (SOR)             3   5

Chante Barron (Q) (FLX)           3   1
Ikram Fawz (SHT)                  6   6

Alain Moreau (Q) (NOV)            6   6   6
Patrick Colling (Q) (SIL)         7   2   1

Grace Covalt (Q) (KHD)            2   6   6
Domenico Lunghi (Q) (SOR)         6   3   4

Hakim Kalah-Mustafa (Q) (TJU)     4   6   6
Regina Bennett (Q) (SIL)          6   3   2

Ivan Lukin (Q) (WSN)              7   6
Michael Fields (Q) (NWK)          5   3

Verity Calderon (Q) (FLX)         1   7   0
Joel Coleman (Q) (NOV)            6   6   6

Ada Nunez (Q) (GRU)               5   6   6
Leo Clark (Q) (SIL)               7   4   0

Jasmin Wayverson (Q) (TJU)        6   6
Martin Lane (Q) (KHD)             3   2

Doubles Qualifiers
Kayla McKerrin/Vladimir Boiyskovsky (Q) (TJU)     3   1
Simon Oxford/Will Washer (Q) (QAD)                6   6

Karl Ballard/Gabe Casey (Q) (NOV)                 5   4
Massimo Forster/Hoorain Andersen (Q) (FLX)        7   6

[TJUN-ia]

The first qualifying day arrived in Mendez Bay as most of the TFT's new blood made their competitive debuts in the NSTT. The TFT has clearly stated that this tournament will mainly be used as an entryway to international competition and that all of the new players will have time to develop in other Tier 2 tournaments. The question is, how did everyone list 2-4 in the entry list deal with their first taste of international competition?

---

Sinlges Strike!
Q1: Ken Pollock (TJU) bt Hoorain Anderson (FLX) (6-2, 6-3)
We begin with KP-EZ, the player from Peninsula who lives in two mindsets at the same time - that all players are just as good as the #1 player and that all matchup is easy to deal with. No one knew for sure if those mindsets were good ones to have but against Hoorain Anderson of Flexanewmega, Pollock certainly played like a good player. He made his shots and won some games and managed to overcome his opponent in straight sets in a great performance that showed the watching public that the man from Motorsports-town could succeed at this level. Next up is Qasden's Ven van der Vin for a spot in the main draw.

Q5: Hakim Kalah-Mustafa (TJU) bt Regina Bennett (SIL) (4-6, 6-3, 6-2)
Out of all of our 3 singles players in action today, it was The Judge of Hakim Kalah-Mustafa who had the toughest match today. Regina Bennett of Silvedania was no pushover and took advantage of Hakim's respectful playstyle to win the first set 6-4 and put the man from Al Kalifa on the brink of elimination. But The Judge refused to fall and became a force to reckoned with in the final two sets, taking both of them convincingly to overturn the tie and pull off the reverse-sweep. That may show how good he is in getting out of difficult situations and he may need that skill in the future. He also takes on a player from Qasden, this time Kora Sunder, and if he wins that, he would enter the main draw with a shot at 10th seed Eva Sarvan of Acastanha.

Q8: Jasmin Wayverton (TJU) by Martin Lane (KHD) (6-3, 6-2)
Lastly, we have The Wayver of Dreams from the CU playing her first match against a player from out fiercest NSTT rivals in Kohnhead. While Martin Lane is certainly no Mindy Waterford, any matchup against Kohnhead is taken very seriously and you could say the very nimble Wayverson treated this match as such. She used her speed to good effect in this contest, winning in straight sets with quick play and quick counterplay too. She certainly has the speed for the NSTT, but we'll see how she does against Emilio Robles of Bucklin - a puppet of Kohnhead. We don't know much about this nation but if they are anything like South Kohnhead, then we must take them seriously as well.

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Doubles Trouble!
Q1: Simon Oxford/Will Washer (QAD) bt Kayla McKerrin/Vladimir Boiyskovsky (TJU) (6-3, 6-1)
It wasn't all good news in Mendez Bay as Austina 2 failed to get off the mark against Qasden's Simon Oxford and Will Washer. Both Little Miss Dynamite and The Quiet One showed some promise in this contest but in the end, it wasn't enough to win today. They will improve over time but for now, this pairing of the lovebirds is still a work in progress.

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Scheduled Matches

SINGLES - Qualifying Round 2
Q1: Ven van der Vin (QAD) vs Ken Pollock (TJU) (18/01)
Q5: Kora Sunder (QAD) vs Hakim Kalah-Mustafa (TJU) (18/01)
Q8: Emilio Robles (BUC) vs Jasmin Wayverton (TJU) (18/01)

SINGLES - Round of 64
[3] Bianca Ardent (GGY) vs Q8 (19/01)
[10] Eva Sarvan (ACS) vs Q5 (19/01)
Q1 vs Dusan Ventaromovich (BPE) (19/01)
[4] Komang Agus Artawan (PCU) vs [WC] Pedro Sanchez de la Cruz (TJU) (19/01)

DOUBLES - Round of 32
[4] Putu Listya Dewi/Putu Ayu Maherani (PCU) vs [WC] Kendra Fulhampton/Micheal Fulhampton (20/01)

[Waisnor]

Starting off on a positive note

Ivan Lukin was the first Waisnorian to start participation in Mendez Bay Open in the qualification round. And that's how he started tournament for Waisnor:

Ivan Lukin (Q) (WSN)              7   6
Michael Fields (Q) (NWK)          5   3

Ivan's first opponent was a player from the host country, Northwest Kalactin, Michael Fields. The first set in this meeting turned out to be very intense, both tennis players were aimed at victory. At the end of the set, Lukin turned out to be better, who won the set with a score of 7-5. But Ivan was clearly not going to stop there and wanted to win the match as well, which was confirmed in the second set, where the victory over Michael was much easier for him than in the first - the set ended with a score of 6-3 in Ivan's favor.

[Ferret Civilization]

“Looks like you are going to be facing that Flexanewmega pair.” ProudSmith observed the rather obvious after watching that particular match wrap up between them and the Nova Anglicana pair. “After that me and Milo get to face the other Flexanewmega pair, what are the odds that it would end up being like that for us.”

“Well the two of them have the advantage of having just played and won a match so it is not as odd as if all both our teams would only face each other in the first round of the tournament.” IllusiveTramp said.

“Should not be as tough as it was in the last tournament so you should have a much better chance. After you win the qualifiers maybe we can try to get past the first round this time.” Milo added.

“If only it worked that way.” IllusiveTramp replied to that first part. “Though yes hopefully it should be an easier time for all of us here to find out our place in tennis.”

“Up for a round of practice?” Odelia asked to which everyone agreed. Given that if they were hoping to make it further than their last and first effort in international tennis they should be at least trying to put in their part.

Luckily they did not have to go far from watching the qualifying matches take place to finding a court to practice on. The Salmagundi team split up into their doubles pairs to help Odelia and IllusiveTramp have a better chance on the main courts tomorrow and get over the newness disadvantage. They spent most the rest of the day after the qualifiers had taken place doing that, working each other up and taking breaks when they had to due to dealing with yet another oceanic climate.

Once early night had come it was a better time to explore the city, one that was much smaller than the city on an island that was Ceni. “It is interesting to see such unease.” IllusiveTramp noted at the way larger security presence everywhere, “What do they think anarchy is?”

“A negative without a doubt, the state would have it be that way after all. Not the one that you are used to.” Milo answered. “Sad to see the worst is expected out of people here.”

The group really had no idea what they were doing so they spent a little bit of time just walking around taking in the city and the people some more before deciding it would be wise to get some sleep to be awake for another rather lazy day tomorrow. Though at least one of their own would be seeing some action to start off their part in the tournament.

[Northwest Kalactin]

cutoff

Singles Qualifiers
Ven van der Vin (Q) (QAD)         5   1
Ken Pollock (Q) (TJU)             7   6

Long Blee (Q) (UPD)               4   4
Ikram Fawz (SHT)                  6   6

Rivera Bassett (Q) (BUC)          6   2   6
Alain Moreau (Q) (NOV)            2   6   1

Michael Juno (Q) (QAD)            7   2   6
Grace Covalt (Q) (KHD)            5   6   4

Kora Sunder (Q) (QAD)             6   5   4
Hakim Kalah-Mustafa (Q) (TJU)     4   7   6

Ivan Lukin (Q) (WSN)              2   3
Joel Coleman (Q) (NOV)            6   6

Rhonda Robbins (Q) (NOV)          6   1   4
Ada Nunez (Q) (GRU)               4   6   6

Emilio Robles (Q) (BUC)           7   6
Jasmin Wayverson (Q) (TJU)        5   1


Doubles Qualifiers
Milicent Broon/Alexander Dumor (Q) (KHD)       7   6
Simon Oxford/Will Washer (Q) (QAD)             5   2

Andrew Colling/Patrick Colling (Q) (SIL)       3   2
Emilio Robles/Arlo Daniels (Q) (BUC)           6   6

Odelia Ayers/IllusiveTramp (Q) (SSI)           6   6
Massimo Forster/Hoorain Andersen (Q) (FLX)     4   2

André Bapako/Isis Dimpal (Q) (ACS)            4   1
Mirco Tonti/Leandro Baliani (Q) (SOR)          6   6

[Waisnor]

Well, at least one he defeated somebody)

Ivan Lukin remained the only participant currently representing Waisnor in Mendez Bay Open. He had already won one of the qualifying matches and was preparing for his second match:

Ivan Lukin (Q) (WSN)              2   3
Joel Coleman (Q) (NOV)            6   6

Lukin's next opponent was Joel Coleman from Nova Anglicana. From the very beginning of the meeting, Joel confirmed his superiority on the court over Ivan, and as a result, this resulted in a victory in the first set with a score of 6-2. Ivan tried to rejoin the game, but it was clear that after in his last match he lost the energy that allowed him to win it. The second set only confirmed this even more - Coleman won again, already with a score of 6-3, thus knocking Ivan out of the tournament.

[San Ortelio]

André Bapako scrambled to the line to get the ball. He reached it, just, but as a consequence it came back agonizingly slow and in an easy arch. Even if Leandro had already positioned himself near the net, Mirco Tonti sprinted forwards from the back line and smashed it with all he had within him. He even nearly hit one of the Acastanhi in the process but just darted part the face of Dimpal, giving the referees no reason to call it off. It was the last ball of a fairly balanced duel between the four teenagers, even if the scoreline pointed in the advantage of the San Ortelian duo. Whilst Tonti screamed in something which held the middle ground between retribution and rejoice, Baliani walked to the net and shook the hand of the adversaries.

“If I would know you better,” Leandro mentioned in the dressing room, “I’ld say there had been some frustration over the Blee loss that needed to get out there.”
“If,” Tonti riposted, well aware of the truth.
“In which case I would tell you that I sympathize with you because a single off-day on the qualifiers is definitely a nuisance and the worst time to have that.

Mirco grunted once more, albeit it was a more happy grunt.

“I would, in that case of course, also advice you to can it ahead of the upcoming game. We will be placed vis-à-vis one of the top three seeds, the kind of team that has performed at Grand Slams, won an actual game at the Cenian Open and will kick the ass of everyone who is not capable of controlling their rage like a regular adult.”

Mirco stared in the general direction of Leandro – this was not how their energy usually flowed. Tonti was the one that did what he liked, Baliani followed calmly in the tracks of his mayhem, that’s how their chemistry worked. But before he could utter a word…

“But that’s only if I would know you better, of course,” Leandro concluded. “All I can say know is that I admired the passion and look forth to the opening round.”

[TJUN-ia]

Mendez Bay is always a good backdrop, no matter the scenario, but for 3 of TJUN-ian new blood, this would be an important day indeed. Qualifying day 2 meant that if you won today, then you would be in the main draw itself tomorrow. Let's see what happened today then...

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SINGLES - Qualifying Round 2
Q1: Ken Pollock (TJU) vs Ven van der Vin (QAD) (7-5, 6-1)
We begin, as always, with KP-EZ as he took on Ven van der Vin of Qasden for a spot in the main draw tomorrow. The first set was a bit of a tight one as both players gave it their all but in the end, Pollock prevailed 7-5. He then used that momentum to take Set 2 in dominating fashion, making sure there would be more than 1 TJUN-ian in action tomorrow. He will take on Dusan Ventaromovich of Beepee in a match he will take on as if it was for the title, whilst also showing cockiness in his own abilities - classic KP-EZ.

Q5: Hakim Kalah-Mustafa (TJU) bt Kora Sunder (QAD) (4-6, 7-5, 6-4)
Once again, it was The Judge who had the hardest time out of the winners as he took on Kora Sunder, also of Qasden. The first set was tight but this time, Sunder took it 6-4 and forced Hakim to act fast if he wanted to stay alive in this tournament. The 2nd set was "do or die" for definite but in the end, he came through 7-5 and used that momentum to pull off another reverse sweep with a 6-4 Set 3.He certainly likes to stress out the audience at home but I'm sure that 10th seed Eva Sarvan of Acastanha won't be as forgiving.

Q8: Emilio Robles (BUC) bt Jasmin Wayverton (TJU) (7-5, 6-1)
If you take the win for KP-EZ but flip it on its head, then you get the result of The Wayver of Dreams vs Emilio Robles of Bucklin. They certainly had Jasmin's number today and her fast offence was put in check for most of this contest. Something to improve on for the CU's own heading onto the following months.

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Scheduled Matches

SINGLES - Round of 64
[10] Eva Sarvan (ACS) vs [Q] Hakim Kalah-Mustafa (TJU) (19/01)
[Q] Ken Pollock (TJU) vs Dusan Ventaromovich (BPE) (19/01)
[4] Komang Agus Artawan (PCU) vs [WC] Pedro Sanchez de la Cruz (TJU) (19/01)

DOUBLES - Round of 32
[4] Putu Listya Dewi/Putu Ayu Maherani (PCU) vs [WC] Kendra Fulhampton/Micheal Fulhampton (20/01)