[Tennis/NSTT] Outdoor hard court season 9 [RP/Results]

by **Electrum** » Wed Jan 18, 2023 4:20 am

NationStates Tennis Tour outdoor hard court season 9 RP thread

This thread will be the thread where roleplays and results will be posted for the NationStates Tennis Tour's outdoor hard court season.

Scorination Details
All tournaments are scorinated on xkoranate. Singles tournaments have best of three tiebreak sets and doubles tournaments will be best of two sets with a match tiebreaker.

The logarithm ranking points are used. To determine the doubles seeding the average of the two doubles player's logarithmic rankings are used. Draws for both the singles and doubles competition are seeded. All roleplays are scored with quality over quantity emphasized. Multiple roleplays submitted on the same day will be counted as one larger whole. All players without ranking points will have a skill level equal to the lowest main draw player's logarithmic points, if that nation has roleplayed previously or in the tournament.

Where there are more entrants than available places, a knock-out qualification round is played. At the conclusion of each tournament, rankings are updated to reflect the new points earned by players. These points last one season.

Links
NSTT Outdoor hard court season 9 sign-up thread
NSTT Season 9 tournament timeline and rankings
NSTT Discussion/OOC thread
NSTT Discord server

Timeline (all times in UTC)
9 January - Sign-ups begin
23 January - Cenian Open sign-ups close
25 January to 1 February - Cenian Open
19 February - Vika Open/Esaias International sign-ups close
22 February to 1 March - Vika Open/Esaias International
1 March - Burnton Classic sign-ups close
3 March to 9 March - Burnton Classic
9 March - Electrum Slam sign-ups close
12 March to 19 March - Electrum Slam

by **Ceni** » Wed Jan 18, 2023 1:04 pm

About the Complex
The National Racquet Centre is the premier tennis and racquet sports complex within Ceni, located in the capital Cenial, although there are many others (two of which, the Lake Cenial Tennis Centre and the Volatus Millenium Tennis Grounds, held tennis tournaments within Ceni, the Cenial Masters and Volatus Open respectively), as tennis is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, sport in Ceni. The NRC, in addition to tennis, also has facilities for recreational and professional play for squash, racquetball, table tennis, and badminton. There are twenty tennis courts at the facility: two stadium courts, Judi Valemartin Stadium and Adio Zevael Stadium, which seat 25,000 and 20,000 respectively, both fitted with retractable roofs; two Grandstand Courts, Grandstand 1 and Grandstand 2, with capacity of 6,000 each; and 16 other courts, with capacities ranging from 500 to 2,000. When the Cenian Open or other tournaments are not in session, the courts are open to the general public. Practice courts for the event will be available at the Lake Cenial Tennis Centre if contestants so desire. In addition to the tennis facilities, the NRC has ten squash courts, ten racquetball courts, four stadium squash courts, four stadium racquetball courts, ten table-tennis facilities, the Summit Arena with capacity of 10,000 for table tennis matches, and the Palladium Arena with a capacity of 12,500 for badminton matches.

Transportation
Ceni has a good transportation network and it is very easy to get to and from the NRC. The NRC has its own subway station, which is connected to one of the most efficient subway networks in the world, serving most of City Centre and Cenial. Ceni's subway system has links to most major attractions and hotels within City Centre and Cenial. Ferries are also available to cross Lake Cenial. The downtown areas of both Cenial and City Centre are very walkable and there are multiple areas to rent bicycles for a bit easier transportation. To visit other cities within Ceni, a light rail service is available, with links north, south, and west to Santiago de Ceni, Nova Ascea, New Oxford, Whitehaven, and other points beyond Cenial. Overall, it is easy to get around in Ceni.

Most options for getting to Ceni revolve around flight; Air Terranea has a large route network out of Cenial International Airport (CEX), including to the sporting regions. CEX is located north of the NRC and has its own subway and light rail stations for ease of access. Most international flights operate out of CEX, as well as most general aviation, although there are some budget flights out of New Oxford Airport, and Santiago de Ceni Airport in the north has general aviation facilities. Since Ceni is so small, flight is not practical to get around the country. However, besides some ferry services to nearby nations in Rushmore, flight is the only option for actually getting to Ceni, mainly due to its island status.

Cenial
Cenial is Ceni’s capital city; as such, the Cenian executive, legislative, and judicial branches are all located in Cenial. The President has his home and offices here; office buildings for executive departments are also located in Cenial. The capitol building of Ceni, the meeting place for the Cenian Assembly, was recently redesigned and sits at the head of a park stretching to the President’s home. Judicially, the highest court in Ceni, the Supreme Court, meets here, as well as one of Ceni’s eight appellate courts. In elections, Cenial’s citizens are very active, with more than 85% turnout in national elections and 75% turnout in local elections.

Cenial attracts people from all over the region and the world with its world-class universities—the University of Ceni and the University of Cenial its two most prominent. The University of Ceni is renowned for its instruction in architecture, business, the humanities and history, politics, and law, while the University of Cenial focuses its academic investments in the science section. In fact, the University of Cenial is a leading research university in the fields of biotechnology and engineering.

A large part of Cenial consists of parks and greenery. One of the largest parks in the nation, Lake Cenial Park, stretches along the coast of Lake Cenial and provides opportunities for hiking, biking, canoeing and kayaking, Frisbee golf, and just plain old fun with friends and family. In the spring, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, Lake Cenial Park is a very pretty sight, and its beautiful fountains are available year-round for all to enjoy. Another major park in Cenial is the Capitol Mall, a park stretching from the Capitol to the President’s House, with its memorial reflecting pool. Other green attractions in Cenial include the Japanese garden, in that section of the city, with its beautiful ponds, pagoda, and rock garden section for peaceful meditation, and the National Botanical Garden, with specimens from all over the world and exhibits of most major climates in the region. Not only is Cenial renowned for its green spaces, it is also renowned for its green attitude. Cenial is among the world’s leading cities in the proliferation of green technology, with a large number of buildings with energy saving measures. Many homes have solar panels, and the government has invested money into increasing the amount of renewable energy in the city; around 35% of the city’s electricity comes from renewable sources.

Cenial has a tolerant attitude and welcomes people from all over the world. As a result, Cenial has an incredibly diverse population. People from all over the world—from Asia, Africa, the Social Liberal Union, and all other regions of the world—have chosen to make Cenial their home. Because Cenial is very welcoming to all people, including refugees, Cenial supports a large population from Ciqi and Coconutstan, two countries ravaged by war. Because of its ethnic diversity, Cenial also has religious and language diversity. Hundreds of languages are spoken in different parts of Cenial, although English is mainly used in day-to-day communication. Religiously, no single religion makes up a majority of the population of Cenial. Atheism is the major religion in Cenial, with around 30% of people, although Christianity (almost equally split between Catholics and Protestants) (25%) and Islam (15%) both make up significant fractions of the population. Cenial has one of the world’s largest and most significant Chinatowns, while Little Saigon and Little Lyndainium are also significant ethnic enclaves. Ethnically, Cenians, Avaerilonians, Eurans, Electrumites, and Spanish make up a total of 75% of Cenial’s population, and there is a large diversity in the remaining 25%.

Cenial, as the cultural center of Ceni, is Ceni’s hub for performing arts. Cenial has the largest number of theatres, concert halls, and exhibition centers in all of Ceni. Cenial’s Royal Shakespearian Theatre Company is well renowned for its performances of Shakespeare’s plays, as well as other plays of Victorian English authors. Because of its diversity, Cenial has a large variety of ethnic restaurants of all kinds—from Westerheimian and Avaerilonian to Persian and Vietnamese, which are found mostly in ethnic sections of the city. Homemade Chinese noodles can be found in Chinatown, while Vietnamese culture is prevalent in Little Saigon. There are a number of excellent Avaerilonian restaurants in Little Lyndainium. Popular street foods in Cenial include Middle Eastern and Indian dishes. In the city centre, there are a large number of upscale restaurants catering to legislators, lobbyists, and richer tourists, while small cafes serving Cenian cuisine dot corner sides. Because of Ceni’s proximity to, and reliance on, the sea, Cenian cuisine places a large emphasis on fish and seafood. Popular Cenian dishes include Cenial Clam Chowder, widely regarded as one of the world’s best, various fish stews, and fish & chips. Other significant Cenian dishes contain crab, lobster, sea scallop, and cod. Alcoholic beverages are fairly common in Ceni, and there are a fair number of pubs, including some chain and local pubs. Cavalier Brewpubs and Machu Picchu Pubs, two famous chains, both originated out of Cenial. At night, a fair number of nightclubs serve alcoholic drinks and provide the citizen or tourist with the opportunity to party.

Food and Lodging
The Orion, a 5-star luxury hotel owned by the Orion International Group, is the official hotel of the Cenian Open. All players from foreign nations have been given rooms free of charge at the hotel. For coaches and fans, The Orion is available, as are several other three and four star hotels in the downtown business district, which cater mostly to businessmen, as well as some tourists. There are some more affordable hotels closer to Lake Cenial as well as in other cities in Ceni. For food, the 5-star, modern restaurant Momentum located at the Orion is available. The hotel's breakfast lounge, Eos, has generously offered free breakfast to players. Also located within the Orion is the nightclub Eleuthium. For perhaps less expensive fare, the city is full of dining options, from classic Cenian food to Indian, Chinese, Avaerilonian, Arabic, and other types of cuisine located throughout the city. Each ethnicity has its own section of the city, and most ethnic restaurants are located in their own section. Since Ceni is located in the ocean, seafood is also available, and is generally quite good. Cenial is renowned for its many types and varieties of soup, including its specialty, Cenial Clam Chowder.

Other Attractions
There are multitudes of attractions in Cenial besides tennis, including the National Cenian Museum, which contains artifacts from Cenian and world history (Museum of History), paintings from all time periods (Museum of Classical Art, Museum of Modern Art, and the Lerrisor Sculpture Garden), and paper money, coins, and stamps (Museum of Numismatics, Currency, and Philately). Those interested in animals can visit the Cenial City Zoo; other museums focus on the diversity of Ceni and further collections of art and sculpture. The National Library contains an enormous volume of literature, poetry, and books. Those more culturally minded can visit the numerous opera houses, orchestra and choir buildings, and theatres, where there are performances almost every day. The Capital building and home of the President also attract numerous visitors every year. Break days in the schedule are good days for spectators (and players, if they feel up to it) to go sightseeing.

Draws
Singles (Main Draw)
Singles (Qualifying)
Doubles (Main Draw)
Doubles (Qualifying)

Schedule
All cutoffs to be 2200-0000 UTC on the given day (4-6pm Central Time on the given day).

January 25: Singles and doubles qualifying
January 26: Singles round 1, top half
January 27: Singles round 1, bottom half
January 28: Singles round 2, doubles round 1
January 29: Singles round 3, doubles round 2
January 30: Singles round 4, doubles round 3
January 31: Singes and doubles quarterfinals
February 1: Singles and doubles semifinals
February 2: Singles and doubles finals

by **Gnejs** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 5:08 am

The Prosaic Union of Gnejs and The Gnejsian Tennis Association (native: Gnejsiska Tennisförbundet, GTF) proudly presents the second edition of the Vika Open, now upgraded to Tier 1 status. The first edition of the Esaias International will be the first Tier 2 tournament of the outdoor hard-court season. Both tournaments are sure to present players with a different and challenging experience.

About the Prosaic Union
The Prosaic Union of Gnejs – commonly abbreviated PUG, colloquially called 'The Union', often nicknamed 'The Rock' – is a country located in the far north-east. A constant source of bewilderment for many, the name Gnejs comes from the native word for the type of metamorphic rock called gneiss in English and German. The root of the word is believed to derive from the High German gneist, meaning roughly 'spark', the link being that the rock glitters. Gneiss is a common rock type across the territory making up the modern-day nation and has historically been a readily used building material component.

A vast and sparsely populated land, The Union covers about 1 220 000 square kilometres and has a population of just under 16 million. It is divided into four big regions – Berg (north), Birka (east), Ängby (west) and Vika (south) – which in turn are divided into counties and municipalities. The Interior compromises an immense area of more or less untouched wilderness at the heart of the country's inland and covers parts of all four regions.

The capital city is called Port Kejm, located on the coast in the region Birka. This is where you are most likely to arrive, at the biggest international airport. The city of Esaias is traditionally reached via rail and the Great Southern Corridor. Travel time is about 4 hours.

The people, languages
There are a few common archetypes about the Gnejsian people and their disposition, chiefly that people in general are quiet and reserved. While idle small talk without purpose amongst strangers might be considered appropriate and expected some places, in The Union it is usually frowned upon and considered bothersome.
The native tongue is called 'Gnejsian' (native: gnejsiska) and has a long and rich history. There's an abundance of regional dialects, some so distinct from others that many have suggested they really constitute different – albeit strongly related – languages. It is common to divide the many dialects into three different 'families', north-eastern, western and southron. Children learn English (known in The Union as 'the common tongue') from the age of five, and the population at large is generally considered to be fluent.

The city of Esaias
The Vika Open will take place in the city of Esaias, the largest city and regional capital of the Vika region. The city proper has an estimated population of around 750 000, whereas the greater Esaias metropolitan area totals around 1 250 000 inhabitants. The southron capital is known for its horizontal skyline, and is often described as a friendly city, dotted with open spaces, canals, and a city planning in favour of cyclists and pedestrians. Like in many other Gnejsian cities, a large share of residential areas consists of old wooden house architecture. Special colour rules apply within the city proper, and houses of this kind are all in shades of white and light blue. The city and the metropolitan area has experienced swift developments in the service sector, especially information technology, pharmaceuticals and so-called clean technology. The economy is largely based around services and commerce, some manufacturing, and a robust public sector. A large offshore wind farm just off the coast produces a sizeable portion of the city's energy, and the big harbour is both a commercial hub and home to many boats in the southron fishing fleet.

The Vika Open will be played at the Esaias Tennis Club's main complex. Located in the north-western part of the city, it contains an outdoor Centre Court with a capacity of just below 10,000, while the remaining four competitive courts have a capacity of 5 000.

The Esaias International will – somewhat ironically – be played in the suburb of Fyndal south of the city proper. The Eastern Vika Tennis Training Complex will be hosting the games. It has a capacity of 4300 seats at the Center Court, plus 1500 seats at Court 1. Some of the earlier games will be held at the smaller courts dotting the complex. There’s no seating.

While the outdoor venues are usually clay, it has been remodeled for the purposes of these NSTT events. Substantial investments have been made in readying the venues for international competition. The main upgrades concerns securing international standards when playing outdoors in a rather harsh winter climate, where outside temperatures most likely will vary between 0 and -5 degrees Celsius. Some of the smaller courts hosting the early stages of the Esaias International have not been fitted with the latest technology, and will be cleared manually before and during games.

Most of The Union indeed has a boreal climate, with long, very cold, winters, and short cool summers. The southern region of Vika and the city of Esaias tends more towards a temperate continental type climate, although long winters and somewhat cool summers are still the norm. It just doesn’t get as cold or cool. This is also the reason Esaias and Vika is hosting NSTT tournaments during the outdoor hard-court season. Still, you will be coming here in winter, and there will be snow.

Playing conditions and necessary precautions
Outdoor Winter Tennis is a time-honored tradition across The Union. It is usually played 'in tune' with the elements, in the sense that few adjustments are made, besides from shoveling the court before the game (or, if conditions allow it, packing the snow as flat and hard as possible). Icing down the court and playing on skates is also common, however this really becomes a different kind of game.

The competitors in Vika Open and Esaias International will be playing outdoors, but not in the traditional manner. Measures have been put in place to make sure conditions conform to NSTT-standards, for example a heating system (ribbons, cables, sensors, etc.) that guarantees snow and frost-free courts. This is not the case for early games during the Esaias International.

There are certain precautions that players should observe. Exposed skin can be at risk of freezing and frostbite, and proper attire is essential. Wearing clothes that gets soaked with sweat is a bad idea (hypothermia, etc.), for example. Players should wear a light base of fabric that is designed to pull away moisture from the skin through built-in capillaries, underneath a layer of insulating fabrics. The outer layer should be water-repellent. Gloves are important, and specially designed ones – that won't hinder your grip as much – will be supplied to all participants. And wear a hat — you lose a lot of body heat from your head.

Other than that, here's a few tips to bear in mind when playing tennis in low temperatures:

Warming up takes longer; do some extra stretching before you play. Don't cut back on the water; maybe you won’t feel as thirsty, but you'll need it.

Your strings will become stiffer in the low temperatures, and some types might break easy; aim for a softer string composition, like natural gut.

The temperatures will harden the rubber of the balls and make the pressure inside drop. The ball will feel soft, but make a harder impact.

With less bounce to the ball, and less flexibility to the racquet, it's a different kind of game. Aim deeper and hit harder. Don't go for the top spin. Drop shots, slice, and flat serves will likely serve you well.

The number of daylight hours varies considerably between summer and winter. On the summer solstice, the sun rises over Esaias at 04:15 and sets at 21:56. On the winter solstice, it rises at 08:45 and sets at 15:35. Courts will always be lit, of course, but if you're so lucky as to see the sun, it will hang low, and you should consider wearing sunglasses.

Schedule
22/2
Vika Open:
Singles round of 64
Doubles Qualification (both rounds)
Esaias International:
Singles round of 64
23/2
Vika Open:
Singles round of 32
Doubles round of 32
Esaias International:
Singles round of 32
Doubles round of 32
24/2
Vika Open:
Singles round of 16
Doubles round of 16
Esaias International:
Singles round of 16
Doubles round of 16

27/2
Vika Open:
Singles Quarterfinals
Doubles Quarterfinals
Esaias International:
Singles Quarterfinals
Doubles Quarterfinals
28/2
Vika Open:
Singles Semifinals
Doubles Semifinals
Esaias International:
Singles Semifinals
Doubles Semifinals
1/3
Vika Open:
Singles Finals
Doubles Finals
Esaias International:
Singles Finals
Doubles Finals

Standard cut-off will be sometime between UTC 07.00-08.00. For the first day (22/2), cut-off will be around 11.00-12.00 UTC. Extensions will not be entertained.

Draw
Vika Open Singles:
https://challonge.com/no/56g3ctfm
Vika Open Doubles:
https://challonge.com/no/fwkw3xr
Vika Open Doubles Qualification:
https://challonge.com/no/ffxfbr0g
Esaias International Singles:
https://challonge.com/no/vbyp40zc
Esaias International Doubles:
https://challonge.com/no/jr3l74af

by **Electrum** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 6:35 pm

Burnton Classic

As preparation for the Electrum Slam, the Electrum Lawn Tennis Association invites singles players and doubles pairs to an extended competition on the outdoor hard courts of Burnton, just an hour's drive north-west of Centralis. Players who do peak at the right time during this tournament will be the favourites to win the Electrum Slam, which comes just after the Burnton Classic. This is the first edition of the Tier 1-Major tournament.

About Electrum and Burnton
Electrum is a sports-mad country. It loves its Olympics and its football, but the most important sport in Electrum is the tennis. Tennis in Electrum is administered by the all-powerful Electrum Lawn Tennis Association. Due to the stature of the ELTA, it exerts a high amount of influence in international tennis, especially in the NationStates Tennis Tour, where it captured the presidency after Ceni's withdrawal.

There are a few quirks when coming to Electrum. One of them is its digital currency, the Synergy, which is known for its ubiquity. Upon arrival, all people can gain access to the card based digital currency, but tourists often complain that these cards which are very easily stolen but also incredibly convenient to use. Electrum is also a relaxed country -- it has very socially libertarian laws such as the decriminalisation of all drugs. It's a place to let off some steam and to have some fun.

Burnton is labelled many things. Some label it as a commuter town. Others call it a satellite city. It has always been overshadowed by its larger, well known neighbour but Burnton has a unique culture. It is well known as being the ranch capital of Electrum, and the centre for gridiron football. The best beef steaks are found here. Players have been known to go cow-riding as a photo opportunity, and for the adventurous, bull riding. It is also known for being one of Electrum's more humid cities where the hot air from the north merges with the natural evaporation from the plentiful surrounding forest and lakes.

Playing Conditions
Warm and humid. Only the two centre courts have shade -- these are not roofing structures but rather large pieces of canvas which allows the natural heat and humidity filter through while not allowing direct sunlight. All other courts are uncovered.

Draw and Schedule
Draw

Schedule - All deadlines are 0800 UTC
3 March - Qualification, Round 1 singles** first cut-off to occur at 0600 UTC
4 March - Round 2 singles, Round 1 doubles
5 March - Round 3 singles, Round 2 doubles
6 March - Round 4 singles, Round 3 doubles
7 March - Quarterfinals
8 March - Semifinals
9 March - Finals

by **Electrum** » Mon Jan 23, 2023 3:51 am

Many thanks to the The Grearish Union and Lisander for this logo

The Electrum Lawn Tennis Association formally invites singles players and doubles pairs from all around the multiverse to play on the hard courts of Centralis. The Centralis Tennis Park will once again host the Electrum Slam, with its many outdoor hard courts and three roofed arenas providing the best experience for fans and players.

About Electrum and Centralis
Electrum is a sports-mad country. It loves its Olympics and its football, but the most important sport in Electrum is the tennis. Tennis in Electrum is administered by the all-powerful Electrum Lawn Tennis Association. Due to the stature of the ELTA, it exerts a high amount of influence in international tennis, especially in the NationStates Tennis Tour, where it captured the presidency after Ceni's withdrawal.

There are a few quirks when coming to Electrum. One of them is its digital currency, the Synergy, which is known for its ubiquity. Upon arrival, all people can gain access to the card based digital currency, but tourists often complain that these cards which are very easily stolen but also incredibly convenient to use. Electrum is also a relaxed country -- it has very socially libertarian laws such as the decriminalisation of all drugs. It's a place to let off some steam and to have some fun.

Centralis is Electrum's largest city and its capital. It is a cosmopolitan centre with people of all ethnicities and nations residing here. All players can expect to receive some home-grown support while they are in Centralis. While players are in Electrum, they can choose to enjoy some of Electrum's famous cultural sites from the Centralis Botannic Gardens to the Modern Arts Museum. Centralis is also known for its foodie and coffee culture, especially in its sprawling alley ways -- it's very common to meet a friend for brunch to eat smashed avocado on toast and a flat white coffee.

Playing Conditions
The three roofed arenas are, in decreasing size, Phillip Maxwell Arena (centre court), Janine Gredello Arena (show court 1) and the Peter Oaker Arena (show court 2). The atmosphere in Phillip Maxwell and Janine Gredello is more reserved, with crowds tending to cheer on seeded players that they recognise. Peter Oaker Arena, which is open to all with a ground pass, has a rowdier atmosphere, where underdogs and Electrumites receive their best support. The sixteen outer courts are well attended, with fans of all countries coming to Electrum to watch their favourite players play and train. All courts are fully televised with players given the right to challenge decisions made by umpires. Shot clocks are also present on all courts.

The Centralis Tennis Park is also known for its quick light blue hard courts which are suited to nearly all styles of play. The Electrum Slam has historically the most amount of upsets -- there is speculation as to why this might be the case -- experts tend to put it down to the compressed nature of the tournament which tires players playing in both singles and doubles, as well as the quick hard courts which favours risk-taking and aggression over defensive baseline play.

Accommodation and transportation to Electrum is provided free of charge with players staying at Centralis Orion Hotel, a five star hotel-casino complex with spas, massage parlours, swimming pools, spas, etc. All players will receive an additional thousand synergies to spend at the hotel or, at the casino for those in the mood for gambling. Room service operates 24 hours a day. Teams will be transported by a chauffeur daily in a private car to the Centralis Tennis Park, which is ten minutes away. Once the tournament is over, chauffeurs will bring players back to Centralis Airport, with winners having special limousines.

History of Tennis in Electrum
The Electrum Lawn Tennis Association has hosted many tournaments for the NSTT ever since the first season all those years ago. These have included the Hamilton International, the International Team Trophy, the Terranean Slam in Somer and of course, the Electrum Slam. In recent years, there have been changes to the tournaments that the ELTA hosts. The Hamilton International tournament was voluntarily downgraded from the Grand Slam to the Tier 1 level, while Somer, after losing the Terranean Slam event, has been given the rights to host the International Team Trophy.

The Centralis Tennis Park was established in 1910 under the direction of Phillip Maxwell, the first president of the ELTA. The park originally consisted of grass courts. However, with the high cost of maintenance, the CTP switched to the hard courts in 1931. The three named show courts are named after significant tennis pioneers in Electrum. This includes Phillip Maxwell, Janine Gredello (mother of Sonya and former patron of the ELTA) and Peter Oaker (secured government funding for the transition to hard court). The Centralis Tennis Park was formerly named the National Tennis Centre, but it was renamed to avoid confusion with the Cenian counterpart.

Other important tennis figures in Electrum include Harvey Regent and Alia Craft. Harvey Regent was, as some might say, the finest tennis player in Electrum's old domestic circuit. After passing away due to old age, the ELTA honoured his legacy by naming the perpetual singles trophy after him. Alia Craft, who is the namesake of the doubles trophy, is a founding board member of the ELTA as well as distinguished former doubles player. She was an excellent player who increased the awareness and exposure of doubles tennis. Runners-up receive a miniature version of the trophies, whereas champions receive a full-sized replica.

The Electrum Slam also awards the Best Underdog Trophy. This trophy is given to the qualifier or wildcard which makes it the furthest into the competition. The trophies represent the improvements players make to their game in the pursuit of tennis excellence.

Previous Champions
Singles
2014 - Elaine Foyner (CEN)
2015 - Johmer Vales (CEN)
2016 - Ciache Nagya (CEN)
2017 - Andy Amada (CEN)
2020 - Dominika Lisicki (MTJ)
2021 - Valentina Spetsova (TJU)
2022 - Georg Heraklit (PUG)

Doubles
2014 - Sonya Gredello/Rosa Levinsky (ETM)
2015 - Sonya Gredello/Rosa Levinsky (ETM)
2016 - Leo Garry/Elizabeth Quehall (BRI)
2017 - Leo Garry/Elizabeth Quehall (BRI)
2020 - Camille Fournier/Inès Fournier (RCN)
2021 - Sara Zhuo/Gyrachor Rentos (ETM/CEN)
2022 - Val Korekal/Luciano Crepaldi (CEN/SOR)

Best Underdog
2014 - Kika Dovan (CEN) and James Lindsey/Pedro Mendoza (MLW)
2015 - Not awarded
2016 - Not awarded
2017 - Not awarded
2020 - Jean van de Kloor (TJU)
2021 - Georg Heraklit (PUG)
2022 - Mirella Xanthou (BRO)

Draw and Schedule
Draw

Schedule - All deadlines are 0800 UTC
12 March - Qualification
13 March - Round 1 singles (section 1-4)
14 March - Round 1 singles (section 5-8) (late cutoff)
15 March - Break day (does not happen IC)
16 March - Round 2 singles, Round 1 doubles
17 March - Round 3 singles, Round 2 doubles
18 March - Round 4 singles, Round 3 doubles
19 March - Quarterfinals
20 March - Semifinals
21 March - Finals

by **Srednjaci** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 3:56 am

CENIAN OPEN- season 9

FIRST EVER CENIAN OPEN FOR OUR TENNIS PLAYERS!

BY

IVAN JURLINA

Dear viewers, welcome to the show "IT'S TENNIS TIME!"
Our best tennis players will play Cenian Open fpr the first time ever.

TENA ŠPIRIČIĆ - 21 years, 179 cm, 69 kg, born in Katanija. Our best ranked tennis player, is currently in 17th position and she have 1870 points. Her's best rank was 9th position.
Tena is first tennis player from Srednjaci with single title. Tena is champion of Three Degrees Open.
In doubles Tena is on 53th position in the NSTT . Partnering with Alina Koreleva played one final.
At Electrum Slam she was the most successful.An excellent tactician on the field, a very intelligent player with great technique. She compensates for her's lack of strong punches with fast legs, great technique and quick reactions.
She reads the game very well and closes the possibilities of getting easy points to the opponent. Does'nt make a lot of unforced errores during the match, all around player, with incredible defensive skills, return to the field every ball she catches. She has great overhead smash, terrific volley, great forehand and backhand.
Serves accurately and precisely, rarely makes mistakes on service. The balls have rotations and bounce faster in contact with the ground.
There is no speed like Lucija Bagarić but her first serves are hard to read and return. Tena also uses a two-handed hidden backhand that is also hard to read. She often annoys his opponents with his game because She returns each ball and thus forces the opponent to take an one more shot, which is often an unforced error for an annoyed opponent.
She is a former domestic champion, and a former junior Srednjaci champion.

Tena Špiričić played her first match outside DR Srednjaci in the qualifications of the Steiningestrasse tournament and beat Benedicto Napoletani (YVK) with 6: 4,4: 6,6: 2. In the first round of the tournament she beat Zunaira Hardy (BUC) with 4: 6,7: 6,6: 0! In the second round, she was defeated by Rodrick Uppatin (31) (KHD) with 6: 3.6: 2.

Tena will play Ceninan Open for the first time.

CAREER OVERVIEW
SINGLES WIN/LOSS RATIO CAREER
W 28 
L 13 

SINGLE TITLES 1 
SNIGLE FINALS 1

DOUBLES WIN/LOSS RATIO 
W 24
L  13 
DOUBLES  TITLES 0
DOUBLES FINALS 2

BEST NSTT SINGLE RANK 9 
CURRENT RANK  17

IVAN ŠTIMAC - 22 years old, all around player but most successful on clay courts.
Štimac is currently the 33rd player in NSTT rankings . Our third best ranked player.
183 cm, 82 kg, muscular build, left-handed play, one-handed backhand. A very awkward player who can beat anyone but doesn’t have a constant so he can easily lose as well. He is very fast and agile, he moves great on the field, he has a good volley and more than a great forehand with which he has an advantage in the game.
Ivan is quite good on the service, he doesn't make mistakes, but he is not a service player either.
Born in Katanija he plays for the Comet Tennis Club.
He won 3 domestic tournaments last year. This domestic season Štimac lose in the final of Melarit Open to Ljubomir Ivanković but won the title in Taru Open beating Lucija Bagarić in finals.
Ivan Štimac played qualifiers at the Steiningestrasse tournament , season 7, and was better than John Ivanisevic (BGG) in the first match with 7: 6,6: 7,6: 4. In the first round, Goran McEnroe (BGG) won with 7: 5, 6: 3.
In the second round, he lost smoothly to Martha McNeil (27) (GRU) with 6: 1, 6: 0.

Ivan Štimac will play Cenian Open for the first time.
SINGLES WIN/LOSS RATIO CAREER
W 22
L 15
SINGLE TITLES 0
SNIGLE FINALS 0

BEST NSTT RANKING : 18
CURRENT RANKING : 33

ALINA KORELEVA- is 19 years old, a young tennis player born in the town of Raduč. The best junior of the region and the city of Raduč. She won two junior tournaments of the highest rank in DR Srednjaci and finished as number two in junior championship two seasons ago, two points behind of Igor Matković.
A talented tennis player who mostly uses the service volley game. She has a good first serve, a high percentage of interceptions, but also a great game after the service.
In domestic championship, this season Alina achieved two singles QF and one final and semifinal in doubles.
Alina is curently at 43rd position NSTT rankings, her best rankings ever was 39th position. Season 7 she ending at 131st NSTT position.
Alina have one double international final in her carrer partnerig with Tena Špiričić.
Alina by winning the title of The 1st Gergary Invitational, she broke into third place in the national rankings at the NSTT. Young Alina is our third racket. Alina is on the rise of her career, she is playing better and better tennis.

CAREER OVERVIEW
SINGLES WIN/LOSS RATIO RECORD
W : 19
L : 11 

SINGLE TITLES 1
SNIGLE FINALS 0

DOUBLES WIN/LOSS RATIO 
W : 22 
L : 11
DOUBLES  TITLES 0
DOUBLES FINALS 2

BEST NSTT RANKING : 39
CURRENT RANKING : 43

LUCIJA BAGARIĆ - 20 years old, 183 cm tall, 72 kg, born in Bistua Nuova and also plays for Smash Tennis Club.
Lucija is curently ranked on 23rd position on NSTT ranks. Our second best ranked tennis player.
With her tennis club, she won the DR Srednjaci championship last year. Muscular constitutions of the body, she plays with her right hand, one-handed backhand is also her best shot in the game. She likes all substrates but mostly grassy and hard courts.
Great foot work and pure power from the baseline give her the ability to quickly transit the game to the net.
She plays very well on the net, she also plays doubles so her volley is great, she is very successful, it is hard to lob her.
Her service is phenomenal. Serve quickly, powerfully and very accurately. Lucija has the best ratio of ases vs double foults in Srednjaci. She served 504 aces in 72 matches played, which is 7 per match.
She served the most aces in match against Irina Prydruchna in the first round of the Dormatisi Open. In two sets, she served 26 aces and only 1 double fault.
Strong service allows her to play "serve-volley".
Her fastest forehand was 168 kmh (104 mph) and her one-handed backhand was 161 kmh (100 mph). Her service is 82% of interceptions and after the first service she gets 86% of points! The average speed of the first service is 179 kmh (111mph) and the fastest speed service is 211 kmh (131 mph).
In the individual women's competition, she won gold at the championship in DR Srednjaci with a victory in the final against the then champion Tena Špiričić with 6: 7, 6: 2, 6: 4.
In mixed doubles, she was first in a pair with Leonid Farkaš.
Lucija Bagarić played qualifiers at the Electrum Slam and she won the qulifying match. In MD, Lucija lose to Lonus Varalin in second round when she step on the ball and hurt herself in that match. Since than , Lucija just couldn't find her tennsi any more. She will always remember that match and that injury.
Lucija played fourth round at the Electrum Slam this season. Better player in fourth round was Jack Ho of Electrum. Great result for Lucija Bagarić at Antillia Masters. Lucija played the finals but unfortunately failed to reach the title.
SINGLES WIN/LOSS RATIO RECORD
W : 19
L : 9

SINGLE TITLES 0
SNIGLE FINALS 1

BEST NSTT RANKING : 21st
CURRENT RANKING : 23

Leonid Farkaš/Goran Ibrahimović The most successful tennis double pair in DR Srednjaci, an incredible series of 12 international tournament matches in a row undefeated. A great couple who understand each other very well and there is a special energy between the two of them on the field. They stopped on 15 matches udefeated then loose in quarter finals on Hamilton International.

LEONID FARKAŠ 24 years old, the oldest of 5 children. brother Hrvoje also plays tennis but he is 13 years old. Sister Danijela Farkaš is an athlete, high jump. Ivana Farkaš, second sister is a swimmer and his youngest brother Leon Farkaš trains football.
He is 187 cm tall, 87 kg, plays with his right hand, two-handed backhand. Excellent service that can go at speeds over 220 km / h.
Born in Katania, he plays for the Comet Tennis Club.
GORAN IBRAHIMOVIĆ - 23 years old, 180 cm tall, 78 kg. Very fast player with great reflexes. He reads the game great and has a very good overview of the game.
Ibrahimovic is a good player in singles but prefers doubles.
He was born in the small town of Liska near Katanija. As a boy, he trained alpine skiing, but still decided to play tennis because, as he says, he himself does not like snow and winter.

WINNERS OF ASTELLO INTERNATIONAL

Leonid Farkaš and Goran Ibrahimović they achieved the greatest success in the history of international tennis in Srednjaci. They are the first tennis players to be crowned winners of an international tennis tournament from Srednjaci. In the final, Astello International they defeated Putu Listya Dewi and Putu Ayu Maherani of Pamecutan and secure the first title.
Leonid Farkas/Goran Ibrahimovic (SRE)             6   6
Putu Listya Dewi/Putu Ayu Maherani (15) (PCU)     2   3
WINNERS OF ANTILLIA MASTERS

Leonid Farkaš and Goran Ivanišević wonn Antillia Masters ! This is second title in their carer and the biggest one.
Our best double players beat Goran McEnroe from Baggieland and Arne Oxwald from Gnejs.
Their win-loss ratio is 13: 2 and in the last two tournaments they have made an incredible series of 12: 0!
Leonid Farkaš/Goran Ibrahimović (SRE)     6   6
Arne Oxwald/Goran McEnroe (PUG/BGG)       2   3
HAMILTON INTERNATIONAL

Farkaš and Ibrahimović loose match in quarter finals
Sara Zhuo/Gyrachor Rentos (2) (ETM/CEN)        5   7   7
Leonid Farkaš/Goran Ibrahimović (11) (SRE)     7   6   5
Farkaš and Ibrahimović also won a silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Electrum.

Last season, our tennis players did not have notable results in tennis NSST tournaments. They were more involved in non-tennis activities, such as shooting various commercials and videos, starting a marketing agency that will deal with athletes, and their plan was to start a tennis academy as well. Because of all these activities, their results seriously paid a heavy price. Farkaš and Ibrahimović fell a lot in the NSST ranking and are now in 46th position, which is too modest for them.

Like all our tennis players, they will perform at the Cenian Open for the first time.
CAREER OVERVIEW RECORD

CAREER DOUBLES WIN/LOSE RATIO 
W 32
L  14


CAREER DOUBLES  TITLES 2
CAREER DOUBLES FINALS 0

BEST NSTT RANK 14
CURRENT RANK  46

by **Juvencus** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 6:50 am

THIS IS NOT A DAMN NEWSPAPER
By:Diego Bortelli

INTRODUCTION TO THE MAGNIFICENT TENNIS WORLD

If you think I am just a basketball one-trick pony, you are in for a treat. As a matter of fact, your boy is a fan of nearly every single major sport in existence and for the next few months I will be giving you a good tracking story of several sports besides basketball. Those being tennis and -hopefully- handball. For this article I am going to be focusing on the first, since tennis is one of the most popular sports in the country but doesn't seem to be getting the respect it actually deserves. First, a little bit of intro in Juven tennis and then a bit of info about our tennis players playing in the upcoming Cenian Open, which is considered a grand slam event in the grand scheme of things.

There is not much to say about Juven tennis other than, unlike other places, it is not necessarily a rich families' sport. There have been all sorts of campaigns throught the years to get people focused in sports besides football or basketball or track in Juvencus and in particular tennis. With a large middle class market to choose from, most of those focused on them and as such many players come from middle class families only to quit later on. This is a major problem for Juven tennis since not many top tier talents come out of Juvencus for that reason and there is not a single tennis player I can name off the top of my head that has had a career of value or even tried until this year to begin with. To be honest, that is kinda sad from a nation that has promoted itself as a birthplace of great athletes(albeit quite underachieving outside the scope of football or perhaps handball). I could be right or I could be quite hopeful in saying that this better change soon, for the sake of our multiversal integrity.

Now we have tennis players coming to Ceni not long after our footballers had a very long campaign in the nation. A campaign that had a semi-decent ending though undeserving because of the behavior of several fans on the pitches. Behaving like monkeys and hurling slurs is never the right way to represent your people, you know? I understand we have violent fans but this is insane. Anyway, without any further sidetracking I would like to introduce first the singles and then the doubles.

The Singles: For some stupid reason, our delegation held 4 seperate singles tournaments nationwide to get 4 talents from all different corners of the nation. While very thoughtful, I believe it is stupid to host 4 tournaments just to get 4 talents when we could literally put at least 8 on the sheet and have 2 players instead of just one in the main tournament. But alas, maybe this stupidity could be used as food for thought in the end.

I will perhaps begin with the "biggest" talent of them all Eric Agostino, winner of the Demene Open. The reason why is because he is the wildcard pick for the main tournament despite being perhaps the clumsiest of a bunch of relative equals. He has strong serves and a vicious right backhand, but besides that he is somewhat slow for a tennis player. Despite said clumsiness and slow moving, his talents and tennis iq are more than enough to carry him through. He will be playing against Electrumite Carmichael Brown.

Next up it is Silvia Trippiani, winner of the Vinceti Open. She is small, standing at just 153cm(or around 5'1) tall. She is a fast player with a lot of stamina, very technically sound as well. There is no truly negative aspect of the game except that she seems to be a jack of all trades but a master of none. But with her calibre, she might be in for a long run. She will be facing Ekaterina Zelenskya of Sannyamathland in the qualifiers.

Martina Aguero, winner of the Torona Open is our next target. She is a passionate player, with the strongest forehand of the players meant to play in the Cenian Open by far. This passion can sometimes translate into angry outbursts as she is well-known to be breaking her rackets especially when decisions or games do not go her way. If she manages to cool it off and act less like the fans at the Cup of Harmony, she could be doing big things. Obungo Okungu of Nyowani Kitara will be her opponent in the qualifiers.

Last but not least, the winner of Cuori Open, Antonio Cannavaro. Man is a fucking showboat and is not afraid to show it, much like Martina Aguero he is prone to frequent outbursts and racket breaking, shit talking his opponents, dancing if he gets his result or a gorgeous ace etc. He has got insane stamina since he has iron lungs but besides that only his serves and some some showboating curvy plays are worth mentioning. He will be playing in the qualifiers against the winner of Felix Garside vs Grigol Vashadze.

The Doubles: Worse yet, the doubles were not even picked through any of the 4 major Juven competitions to choose the singles. Doubles were chosen out of a lottery of random doubles partners(perhaps couples) that wanted to give it their all playing tennis in the grandest stage of them all. The Juven Tennis Association is a gift that keeps on giving with these dumb decisions. Honestly, I know nothing about these players but I managed to get some information about our TWO(2) whole fucking doubles teams.

Felipe De Michelis/Mar Sarriegi: They seem focused and composed in regards to the whole thing, they let me watch them practice and they seem to have good chemistry together and very specific callouts. Downside is that they are a couple that loves to smooch and show PDA nearly all the time which made interviewing them a living hell, despite the goodness in their hearts. If they focus less on PDA and more on tennis, they could have a run, maybe, perhaps? I clearly don't know anymore at this point. Better than mid though, that's for sure and way better than the other doubles couple below. Their opponents will be Teagan Cantrell and Derby Cuellar of United Adaikes.

We have perhaps the most annoying people I had the displeasure of meeting Vladislav Martinez-Ivanov/Gabriella Iñiguez. Not only did they speak some unintelligible Catalan to me(I am fluent) but they hurled so many curse words at me and Cenians for no reason. I am starting to believe they were among said people kicked out of Ceni in the recent Cup of Harmony the way they were so racist and their aura was overall dark. Despite that, I managed to get a personal investigator to check their practice and oh boy... were they terrible. Perhaps the worst doubles couple in the history of the sport. JTA... you owe the tennis fans of Juvencus a huge apology for this decision. Anyway they will be playing and probably getting shat on against Obungo Okungu and Asa Odhiambo of Nyowani Kitara.

With that said, this is everything I have to present to you for our tennis players. As a reminder when you visit Ceni, be kind to the goddamn locals for not kicking us out completely and cutting our visas and fucking sock homophobes and racists right in the face like a proper Juven should. Let's enjoy the ride.

by **Ceni** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 3:47 pm

Tennis: New season sees proliferation in Cenian doubles partnerships

What do Will Nolovor, Kell Korden, Botack Andiam, and Jac Iegis all have in common?

Yes, they're all Cenian tennis players who have enjoyed some success in the doubles competition in the past. But they're also Cenian doubles players who hope to return to the pinnacle of the doubles game with new partners from foreign lands.

Let's face the reality: The Cenian Tennis Federation's doubles entry sheet is clogged with Top 10 players. The Xals have recently become the world #1 team for the first time in the revived NSTT despite not having won a single Grand Slam title last season; Val Korekal continues to vibe with Luciano Crepaldi, despite the San Ortelian tennis federation failing to provide him with much (read: any) support these days; and while Coosal Darlcheri and Perger Rianor continue to be consistent, a Grand Slam title from their Britonisean rivals pushed them outside the Top 10.

So where are minor doubles specialists like Iegis, Nolovor, and Korden supposed to go?

Iegis took the lead in this whole endeavour, agreeing to play with the Gnejsian player Cornelis Zapfe. Although Zapfe doesn't have much pedigree in the singles, and even less in the doubles, rumour has it that the two players have started to gel really well together on the practice court. Some Britonish scouts noticed their play on the practice courts, in fact, and expressed their view on twii.tur that "This [partnership] sounds like the #1 spot will be locked all year round next season."

It will take quite a few wins in actual competition to get to that highly coveted #1 spot, though, and the players must slog through qualifying to even get to the first round of the doubles tournament here on home soil.

Botack Andiam announced his plans to collaborate with the Gnejsian Sigrid Vasakärven next.

The duo, which is expected to perform its best during the grass court season, has two players with some singles experience. Andiam, of course, is a former world number one player who cut his teeth in the earlier NSTT seasons, while Vasakärven had a massive win streak in the last grass court season with a win in the Barlinedon Championships and a semifinal appearance in Zoloroni.

There are two extant questions for this partnership, though: Will they connect on court, or will it be a Tale of Two Players as two conflicting personalities come to the court together? And will they do as well on hard courts as they are expected to do on the grass? The qualifying tournament may be an early preview for this team, as well. As fifth seeds in that tournament, though, they'll only have to play one match to make it to the main draw.

Two other partnerships, while unseeded, have already proceeded to the main draw. Kell Korden, ranked 77th, will play with the Britonish player Nathan Bensaïd, ranked 43rd. That partnership came together after Bensaïd put out feelers for a new partner, and Korden responded; of course, that broke up the extant partnership between Korden and Nolovor, even if the two hadn't played together for long due to the limitations on how many players the Cenian Tennis Federation can enter to various events. Nolovor therefore reached out to the semi-retired Costenho professional Dusan Ivanovic (who himself ultimately hailed from Nikolia, in Astyria), and the two will play at the Cenian Open on a trial basis.

So, where does this leave Cenian doubles players heading into the Cenian Open?

There are certainly quite a few new options for Cenian fans to root for at their home slam. Odds are, at least one pairing will do well.

by **Ceni** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 3:54 pm

Singles — Qualifying Round 1

Silvia Trippiani (JUE)        7   6   6
Ekaterina Zelenskya (USR)     6   7   4

Vanesa Mae (DOT)              6   6
Isenaka Koju (ARC)            3   4

Ichitsuki Nokku (ARC)         1   7   4
Rosie Collins (URM)           6   6   6

Alexis Davidson (GYO)         6   4   7
Karina Gourde (HOP)           3   6   6

Mariska Dumont (VAR)          4   6   6
Putu Agus Palguna (PCU)       6   3   4

Asa Odhiambo (NYK)            6   0   4
Aoife Morrow (MEL)            1   6   6

Danielle Harper (GYO)         7   1   6
Laurence Ophelia (QAD)        6   6   2

Obungo Okungu (NYK)           2   3
Martina Aguero (JUE)          6   6

Jeroen Van Wegberg (VAR)      1   3
Pristina Trevante (QAD)       6   6

Ayu Diah Padmi (PCU)          4   7   6
Tim Fisher (URM)              6   5   2

Jason Satham (URM)            2   6   4
Hadrien St Pierre (VAR)       6   0   6

Felix Garside (MEL)           6   5   4
Grigol Vashadze (USR)         4   7   6

Mattéo Klerx (VAR)            6   6
Jane Floral (QAD)             4   4

Yuliya Rybanika (USR)         5   6   4
Toby Lindberg (MEL)           7   4   6

Greta Dogsmouth (QAD)         6   5   4
Marinko Delavec (DOT)         3   7   6

Mac Courier (URM)             4   6   7
Aegis Geronimo (QAD)          6   3   6

Singles — Qualifying Round 2

Filipe Korf (LIS)             6   6
Silvia Trippiani (JUE)        2   3

Hallie Baker (GYO)            7   6
Vanesa Mae (DOT)              5   4

Dakota Fritz (URM)            5   4
Rosie Collins (URM)           7   6

Elisabeth Wallin (NYK)        2   7   4
Alexis Davidson (GYO)         6   6   6

Maria Sharanova (USR)         4   6   6
Mariska Dumont (VAR)          6   3   4

Léonne Rousseau (VAR)         6   1   4
Aoife Morrow (MEL)            3   6   6

Lukas Valerio (BRI)           6   0   6
Danielle Harper (GYO)         2   6   4

Martina Aguero (JUE)          6   6
Vin Van Der Ven (QAD)         4   4

Ingrid Dal (PUG)              1   6   6
Pristina Trevante (QAD)       6   2   2

Elijah Delaney (URM)          6   6   6
Ayu Diah Padmi (PCU)          4   7   7

Nikita Karpov (USR)           1   6   6
Hadrien St Pierre (VAR)       6   2   0

Antonio Cannavaro (JUE)       6   6
Grigol Vashadze (USR)         0   2

Ljubomir Ivanković (SRE)      6   6
Mattéo Klerx (VAR)            3   1

Aymeric Meeuwessen (VAR)      5   6
Toby Lindberg (MEL)           7   7

Stella Bressen (LIS)          3   1
Marinko Delavec (DOT)         6   6

Anneliese Damsgard (LIS)      6   6
Mac Courier (URM)             1   3

Doubles — Qualifying Round 1

Mariano Bacquer/Melissa Senra (LIS)                   6   6
Jordanien Hutch/Flagstaff McCroy (QAD)                3   1

Felix Tierney/Jennifer Sands (URM)                    4   6   4
Svetlana Makarova/Alexander Bukhanin (USR)            6   4   6

Sévérine Géroux/Sarah Marie (VAR)                     4   6   5
Linda Hurrell/Ralph Nilsen (MEL)                      6   4   7

Erik Burawa/Kevin Lindman (HOP)                       4   6   6
Nicolas Renaud/Laurens Blanc (VAR)                    6   4   2

Vladislav Martinez-Ivanov/Gabriella Iñiguez (JUE)     5   7   6
Obungo Okungu/Asa Odhiambo (NYK)                      7   6   1

Megan Ives/Edsan Gallagher (QAD)                      6   6
Osanne Bezuidenhout/Estée Bonnet (VAR/ARC)            3   0

Robin Wentworth/Madeleine Quinn (LIS)                 6   5   5
Tomás Nascimento/Duarte Cerqueira (ARC)               4   7   7

Aymeric Meeuwessen/Josse Van Ophoven (VAR)            3   2
Kora Sunder/Ven Van Der Vin (QAD)                     6   6

Doubles — Qualifying Round 2

André Bapako/Isis Dimpal (ACS)                        6   6
Mariano Bacquer/Melissa Senra (LIS)                   3   2

Viktor Volchyashev/Anna Puchkova (USR)                6   7
Svetlana Makarova/Alexander Bukhanin (USR)            0   5

Leanne Stewart/Rachel Simon (ETM)                     6   6
Linda Hurrell/Ralph Nilsen (MEL)                      4   4

Sigrid Vasakärven/Botack Andiam (PUG/CEN)             4   6   6
Erik Burawa/Kevin Lindman (HOP)                       6   4   3

Kim Chester/Vivian Walsh (UAD)                        7   6
Vladislav Martinez-Ivanov/Gabriella Iñiguez (JUE)     6   2

Vladimir Bekhov/Irina Sabalenka (USR)                 6   7
Megan Ives/Edsan Gallagher (QAD)                      1   5

Jac Iegis/Cornelis Zapfe (CEN/PUG)                    6   6
Tomás Nascimento/Duarte Cerqueira (ARC)               0   1

Gareth Teiss/Athos Smiecikoski (LIS)                  6   3   4
Kora Sunder/Ven Van Der Vin (QAD)                     3   6   6

EDIT: Three qualifying matches were accidentally omitted from Singles Qualifying Round 2. They have been scorinated and added to this post.

by **Archalit** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 5:30 pm

Kanoa Faye (The Relevant One)
Kanoa Faye began playing tennis at a young age, quickly showing a natural talent for the sport. She trained hard, competing in local and regional tournaments, and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the top players in her home country of Archalit. As she grew older, Kanoa's skill on the court continued to improve, and she dominated the domestic tennis scene. She won countless national championships, earning a reputation as the juggernaut of Archalitian tennis. Despite her success at home, Kanoa had never competed in international tournaments. With her football career taking equal precedence and the lack of accessibility competing from Archalit, she never found an opportunity to go overseas to compete. Finally, at the age of 25, Kanoa, who was also pursuing a professional career in football, had talks with the Archalit Tennis Organization to send some top players to the NSTT. Given her newfound fame from captaining the Archalitian football team, the NSTT agreed to send a group of seven players to compete (which was then bumped to eight when Estée Bonnet negotiated an agreement to compete for Varavel).

Nightmarish Beginnings
"How would you describe this," Isenaka started, "torture?"

Isenaka Koju and Ichitsuki Nokku were sat together after their first qualifying round.

"Man," Ichitsuki started, "round one and we've already lost."

"It feels like facing Kanoa," Isenaka replied, "just an absolute nightmare."

As they talk, Estée walks into the room. "Yeah, no kidding."

"Oh, hey Estée, I'm guessing you and the Varavelian got knocked out?" Isenaka inquired.

"The only player we really have at this point is Kanoa," Estée answered, "it's basically over for anyone else."

Ichitsuki sighed. "If only, if only..."

"Hey," Estée began, "It's our first time at the international stage, who cares if we get knocked out early. I had fun with Osanne, even if we got totally obliterated."

"True," Isenaka added, "besides, we basically got picked by default, no wonder the elites made a show of us."

"Woah, woah, I won a set," Ichitsuki declared, "and I was close enough to winning!"

"It doesn't matter," Isenaka retorted, "Kanoa's still out at the Baptism of Fire winning everything, apparently she only just boarded the plane from Mertagne."

"Wow, talk about an entrance," Estée said, a hint of sarcasm peaking through, "she really had to miss our games, eh?"

"Welp, too late to mald," Isenaka replied, a hint of sadness peaking back, "let's wait for Kanoa and see how it goes."

by **Srednjaci** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 4:33 am

CENIAN OPEN- season 9

LJUBO IN MAIN DRAW!

BY

IVAN JURLINA

Dear viewers, welcome to the show "IT'S TENNIS TIME!"

The first tournament in the new, 9th season of the NS tennis tour has started. As we already said yesterday, our tennis players are participating in this tournament for the first time.
Ljubomir Ivanković is the only player of ours who played in the qualifiers and qualified for the main tournament with a convincing win.
Mattéo Klerx from Varavel was't a tough opponent for our former best player, Ljubo won 6-1 and 6-3.
With us in the studio is the coach at the Optima Tennis Academy and the former coach of Lubomir Ivanković, Mr. Franko Josić.
Mr. Franko, the new season, let's start from the beginning, can you comment a little on the last season?

FRANKO : The last season was very interesting and extremely uncertain until the very end. Of course, it was also interesting for us for several reasons. For the first time in history we had a player in the Top 10, Tena Špiričić was in the Top 10 for several weeks, 9th place was her best. Then we hosted the tennis elite at the Plava Laguna Open. Alina Koreleva won her first singles title in her career and Lucija Bagarić finally showed what kind of player she is.

JURLINA : On the world stage...?

FRANKO : Dorotea Granit from Gnejs was the best and world number 1 in the end. Gnejs has world number 2 as well, Georg Heraklit. The player from Dextera, Michael Loy, who placed 4th, between the two giants Ardil Navsal and Lonus Varalin, was great.

JURLINA : Yes, Michael Loy was constant and in great shape. Who could be the new Michael Loy this season?

FRANKO : I would definitely single out Lucija Bagarić, who plays phenomenally, at least that's how she showed it in the preparations before the start of this season. I think she's fully recovered from the surgery and looks ready for big results. Jack Ho from Electrum is a name I would single out as well as two names from Pemecutan, Idah Susanti and Dewan Putu Adrian Putra. However, we must not write off our Tena Špiričić or Joe Katsi of TJUN-ia.

JURLINA : I would perhaps add Foger Rederer and Dioro Hansil...

FRANKO : They should certainly not be forgotten or written off.

JURLINA : Here at Cenian Open, Ljubomir started first in the qualifications yesterday...

FRANKO: yes, it was difficult for me to watch Ljubo last season as he struggled a lot in the game. He was not able to achieve any results, he was falling in shape and it was tearing him apart mentally. He used to be our best player and on the NSST tour but last season he rarely managed to combine two wins in a row. Even in the domestic tour, he did not manage to achieve the desired results. We all remember the heavy defeat against Petra Mačinković with 6-0, 6-1. Ljubo retired from Singles for a while, that is, until this season. We saw yesterday that he is on track to play well this season and that he might be able to return to the paths of old glory.

JURLINA: The others? Tena? Ivan?

FRANKO : Last year, Tena married to our best soccer player, Takanobu Tavano, and retired towards the end of the season to her private life. I didn't have a chance to see her at the preparations because she has her own team with which she prepares. Ivan has improved a lot as a player and it shows, but the results were lacking. I believe in him and I hope that he will combine mental fitness with physical fitness this season. Lucija Bagarić, as I said, she could be the key to success this season. She plays aggressively, powerfully, moves great, has improved her volley game at net. Alina Koreleva also progressed playing...

JURLINA : Yes, Koreleva really excelled last season and then stopped with good results. However, you can see that desire and passion for success in her because she and Tena Špiričić play doubles brilliantly.
After all, they are our best-ranked double.
Speaking of doubles, Leonid and Goran, what about them?

FRANKO: the guys fame went to their heads. Overnight, they became the most famous athletes in our country. They won two tournaments in a row, played in the Olympic final, became national champions. All this brought with it a certain amount of stress because they buried themselves in all other activities, outside of tennis. When you shoot so many commercials, sign sponsorship contracts, and try to start your own business, there is very little time left for tennis, I would say no time at all. The trainings were not regular, the intensity of the game was decreasing and thus the results. All this was reflected in their ranking. From what I've heard, the guys have started training seriously and have frozen their project of opening a tennis academy for the time being. I believe that this could be their comeback season.

JURLINA: we hope so too, they gave us a lot of joy in season 7 and those two guys are our best tennis product.
The draws came out, the main draws, and here is who is playing against whom.
Igor Matković, one of the younger generation, has a very difficult task, his opponent is eighth seed Foger Rederrer.

FRANKO : anything but a smooth win for Foger will be a surprise to me.

JURLINA : Another pair of SRE vs Adab, Štimac vs Amasin Gandas.

FRANKO : I hope that Štimac will enter the match well. I think Štimac should pass here, however, we don't know who is in what kind of form. Adab has a good tennis school, but I give our player an advantage.

JURLINA : Good, I agree. let's move on, Lucija Bagarić vs Maria Shaminova from Magnecia. Shaminova is here with WC.

FRANKO : Lucija has a big advantage to me in this match. Although it is known that Lucija enters the season a bit slower, but now she is a year more experienced. We don't know anything about Shaminova, so experience is on our player's side.

JURLINA: Young Dora Klemenčić is on the threshold of entering the top 100, her opponent is a player from Pemecutan, Aya Raith Kelamasari.

FRANKO : I would leave this match completely open. Klemenčić is our youngest player on the NS Tennis Tour.

JURLINA: Alina Koreleva has a player from Acastanha, Bruno Radmar, as her opponent.

FRANKO: that is another match that I would leave open, but I will still give Alina Koreleva a slight advantage.

JURLINA: 17th seed Tena Špiričić will play against Kevin Lindman from Hopal.

FRANKO: Tena is the absolute favorite in this match, but surprises are always possible.

JURLINA: Kim Li Bo and Mei Li Bo from TJUNI-ia are the opponents in the first match of Farkaš and Ibrahimović, and Augusta Björnstjärna and Anthony Kawasaki are the opponents of our Tena and Alina.

FRANKO : And now we will see how hard Leonid and Goran were prepared and trained because the double from TJUNI-ia is very difficult and tough opponents. Björnstjärna from Gnejs and Kawasaki from Electrum play together for the first time. This can be a small advantage for Tena and Alina, but it doesn't have to be that way. We all remember last season when the two of them played together for the first time and went to the final. In both matches, I give ours a slight advantage.

JURLINA: thank you for your guest appearance and detailed insight into the tennis season. Dear viewers, I'm scheduling a meeting a little later when we join the live broadcasts of matches from the Cenina Open. Until then, goodbye.

by **Electrum** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 5:58 am

Centralis Herald - Sports Section

The Slam of Inspiration by Christopher Aris

The NSTT season is beginning anew with the Cenian Open. As with previous seasons, players have been working on their performance during the break and eager to show off to the world their progress. It is for this reason that players approach the Cenian Open with a sense of optimism and inspiration.

For example, Andrew Simmons has been seen working on his diminished forehand at the clay courts of Somer. He's been really missing that weapon ever since he sustained an injury late last season. He'll need to work on a lot more if he wants to reach the heights of previous seasons where he made the NSTT Finals.

Meanwhile Janet Riley was spotted on the courts of Centralis with new manager Mia Cassington. She had her breakout season last year with that run in Recuecn and will be looking to earn more points this year. Perhaps she can go one better and win a grand slam this year. She's been focusing on constructing points and playing a bit more wily, hence her choosing of Mia Cassington as her manager. Riley has also been working on her volleys, drop shots, slices and flat serves as they have more mileage in the cold weather. With top seeds scheduled for the night, she's been trying to emulate the Gnejsians with their winter tennis. By improving on these shots she increases the range of her shot selection. The theory is that this year, she's going to try and beat them at their own game.

Instead of emulating the Gnejsians like Riley, everyone else is thinking about how to stop the Gnejsians. Especially Carmichael Brown who is projected to face Dorotea Granit in round 2. The Gnejsians had a dominant performance last year with grass court specialist Granit and clay court specialist Georg Heraklit sweeping the top two spots of the NSTT rankings. They are the benchmark that everyone will be comparing themselves against for the season.

But even if an early exit is on the cards for the ever-combustible Carmichael Brown, he need not worry. With the changes to this season's calendar, he will have more chances to compete in tournaments. There are more Tier 1 events added to the calendar so that players need to be more consistent if they want to reach the NSTT Finals. More people can play in Tier 1-M tournaments and the restrictions behind Tier 2 tournaments have been abolished completely. With roughly 4,000 more points up for grabs the rankings are overdue for a major shakeup.

by **Gnejs** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 6:34 am

The Ecpatia Onlooker

Society

3 out of 4 Northerners would rather have sex than watch the opening of NSTT Season 9, new study finds

By: Augustus Skar
A new and comprehensive study conducted by the Segeltorp Institute for Holistic Healing and Social Economy released earlier today showed that a surprising 75 percent of respondents claimed that they would rather engage in sexual intercourse than follow the traditional season opening of the NSTT.

The study in question is based on a large sample picked from the three biggest cities on the northern coast, and in many ways represents the complete opposite of results from similar research conducted during the 2020’s, where a sizeable majority of respondents clearly picked the NSTT opening over coitus.

This surprise find raises a great deal of questions concerning potential societal shifts in northern attitudes and preferences in terms of leisure activities. Torkel Kristorn, certified healer and silversmith, was one of the study’s main researchers, and he was left scratching his head when they compiled results: “You would think that a preference for sex over tennis is related to a cultural emphasis on intimacy and physical connection, but this is the north and that just sounds plain wrong. I suppose an alternative hypothesis could be that maybe the results don’t signify a shift in terms of sex, but rather a growing lack of interest in tennis in the region.”

In a somewhat contradictory development, Union Airlines and different cruiseferry companies report that ticket sales for Ceni have never been greater in the northern Berg region. However, when confronted, representatives from Union Airlines could not determine whether the cause for travel was the ongoing Cenian Open or a case of lustful northerners hoping to score some continental action.

The Onlooker has reached out to the northern branch of Gnejsiska Tennisförbundet (GTF) to request an interview, but they politely declined, opting instead to leave a written comment:

“It is important to point out that the results in these kinds of studies are no surefire conclusion with three dots on the line. We are sure that such reservations will be found initially in the method section of any model or index or questionnaire, and also so in this one. It is notoriously difficult to find models and indicators that can describe and measure such complex matters in a good and comprehensive way. "Tennis" and “Sex” are not simple or unambiguous term, and respondent’s perceptions will be linked to a number of factors, such as expectations and experiences. In conclusion, we remain certain that the love of tennis is still very much intact in the North.”

Thea Winther, prominent tennis journalist with Smash! Magazine, commented on the study earlier today, and hypothesized that the lack of “northern” profiles on the NSTT might be at root of the surprising finds, noting that if the question had been “Would you rather have sex or watch Finntorp IK (or any other of the big northern clubs) play?”, the results might’ve very well been different, which seems to support the interpretation that a lacking interest in tennis is at large here.

Whatever the reasons and underlying mechanics at work, Jonas Lekby – an angler hailing from Finntorp on Ecpatia – had few kind words to say about this apparent shift in zeitgeist when we presented him with the study’s findings down by the docks earlier today: “There’s a time and a place for everything,” he stated while spitting on the ground. “Late January and early February is Season Opening and the first Grand Slam of the new year. This is known. There’s plenty of time to engage in decadence later on.”

by **Dexterra** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 1:02 pm

26 January 2023

DEXTENNIS

served to you by the Dexter Tennis Union

Thank You For Reading ★ Est. 19 November 2021 ★ Court XIV Match I (archive)

New fears resolutions

by Michael Loy | Cenial, Ceni | Previous

Oh, so I get to start? I thought it was supposed to be Mason and…

My thoughts trail away as I scan the Cenian Open singles draw on my refurbished DexPhone 22, eyes squinting to see whether I’m in the top or the bottom half. It'll be me leading off the top half versus Vilim Gulić, then Tristan [Armstrong] continues with the bottom versus a qualifier and the Woodmeres headline doubles versus Alya/Toshiro - got it, I go over it again. There's this odd little ‘4’ next to my name, I must be crazy because there’s no way that has anything to do with my seeding or rank or anything. Someone from Dexterra couldn’t possibly be starting the new year and the new tennis season seeded 4 at a grand slam, let alone be ranked world number 4… could I?

Considering that for a minute I was number 3, I guess it's possible, but I’ve really got to earn it either way. Around this lakeside practice court here, nary a diamond has been brought for autographs by dog costumers. I guess that’s kind of the Woodmere’s thing now - they closed out last year with a nice shiny hurrah in the Diamond Trophy doubles title, and what did I do? Forgot how to tennis in the Tour Finals as the only national representative, that’s what I did. Once upon a time, way back when I brought home the first diamond glimmer, I stood a chance against the world’s best - but today I’m ranked in the top 5, and somehow it feels closer to the bottom.

I glance back at the court, seeing the lake, as break time winds down and racquets beckon. The first time I grandly slammed here, I was the reigning Diamond singles champion, netting my first-ever tournament seeding at number 23 right here in the land of delicious Cenial Clam Chowder. I lived into the quarterfinals. Today - a year later - I'm number 4, and my last attempt at any slam went all the way to the finals. So, I’ve come a long way, but it just feels like I’ve still got further to go. Maybe I should be grateful - Mason, Maxine, Tristan or really anybody would be overjoyed to have climbed this far. But when I was growing up, I didn't dream of being fourth, or runner-up.

A lot of Dexter commentators, fans and celebrities have been begging for my new year’s resolutions. It’s the same two as always. Become a grand slam champion, and world number one.

Sighing, I brush off my racquet and hop to my feet, getting back to work in spite of reality waiting on the baseline.

^{Edit: fixing broken 'previous' link}

by **Juvencus** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 2:29 pm

THIS IS NOT A DAMN NEWSPAPER
By:Diego Bortelli

CENIAN OPEN RESULTS PUT A SHIT-EATING GRIN ON MY FACE

Okay wow, to say watching tennis isn't exciting is just saying random bullshit in the name of saying it. I believe tennis is an excellent spectator sport as much as I believe it is great as a sport to play. The talent someone needs to have great eye to hand coordination, strength, stamina, speed all at once to me is just astounding and I was not disappointed watching the Juven tennists perform out of their minds against their initial opponents. If anything you will be quite surprised to know that 3 whole athletes will be representing Juvencus in singles compeitition while your favorite totally non-racist couple of Iñiguez/Martinez-Ivanov got fucking shat on despite getting through the Kitaran obstacle. Lemme explain category by category and matchday by matchday with as little effort as I can do it as it's been quite a rare rainy Torona day(if you've been there before you know this place is drier than the desert) and I'd been picking up fucking mud from my suburban neighborhood road.

The singles:

Ok so before I elaborate further into this, the competition itself hasn't yet started and instead I am going to elaborating the performance of the Juven tennists during the 1st and 2nd qualifiers of the competition nonetheless taken place in Cenial itself much like the rest of the competition.

I will start with Silvia Trippiani making me so fucking proud in the first qualifier. Honestly I can't quite tell why no Juven sports fan likes Sannyamathland or its athletes(like Ekaterina Zelenskya, which Trippiani beat) but the hate is real and I feel it too. Seeing as it was a close game and it being obviously Trippiani's victory regardless I am so happy to see the dub here. Problem is, she still lost a set due to nerves of being in such a big stage or whatever, kinda sad.

For the second matchday... let's just say I got hurt. Filipe Korf was just too much for her and seeing her in tears post-game broke my heart, our first lost in this competition and it is a shame because she is quite talented and that was just not her time.

We then go to Martina Aguero's performances in the qualifiers. Ok first and foremost on the first qualifier went like a breeze, I have never seen her be so dominant yet so dickishly annoying to her opponent. It was a joy to watch whine like a little kid yet also deliver a soul crushing performance against Obungo Okungu.

But as if that was not just the tip of the iceberg it got even better when she started meowing and making clawing gestures with her fingers towards her opponent Vin Van Der Ven of Qasden. Apparently they really love cats there and she got a hold of it. Every smash, every set, every serve there was a meow and clawing gesture. Honestly it was kinda (I have been advised not to elaborate my hyperventilating state of being at that specific moment). Point is, she is part of the main tournament and that is gorgeous.

Lastly, just Antonio Cannavaro being EXCEPTIONAL against Grigol Vashadze. He kept jump and twisting and showbating throught the entire ordeal which was extremely entertaining to watch. My favorite part was that after losing no game to Vashadze in the first set, he decided to wear a blindfold and scream "I WILL BEAT THIS GUY BLINDFOLDED!" much to the amusement of the crowd situated in Cenial. Perhaps being annoying in Ceni is a Juven trait but the shithousery was great.

The doubles:

Honestly I do not want to elaborate too much. Iñiguez/Martinez-Ivanov got through Okungu/Odhiambo in the first qualifiers in what I will consider as a "racism won" kinda deal. It was really annoying, they kept laughing obnoxiously while playing the middest fucking tennis I had ever seen in my life. It did not help that the Kitarans couldn't compete as much from the 2nd set onward to the point they just "quit" by the 3rd.

For the second qualifiers, they finally got what they fucking deserved after being demolished by Chester/Walsh with 2-0 set. Not even close, thank goodness. They started a whole fuss but got promptly kicked out the stadium before things got worse. Many Juven fans left the stadium in shame of their behavior and antics and not because of the defeat. It has been debilitating to deal with them. However, with them disqualified and all the main talents still on, this could prove to be a gorgeous Cenian Open for the Juven tennists, which what we are really here for.

by **Natanians and Nosts** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 2:33 pm

From: smellyflower1093@nmail.ntn
To: theworldsgreatest@gtf.pug
CC:
CCo:

Subject: Fan mail - Hana Kaori, tennist

Dear Dorotea Granit,

I am a great fan of yours. Every tournament I hope to have the pleasure and honour of playin against you, unfortunately the seeding does not allow me to. You are an inspiration for me and I hope to be, one day, as great a player, as you are! Do not mind the media who belie you with unfunded accuastions, nor let yourself be fooled by that George Heraklit. Heraklit! He's an aweful tennis player, and one can see how much a better player you are, and how gracefull of you, to allow him, and others, to win some tournaments. That Heraklit guy should stick to cooking, actually, his cooking show is not bad at all; he should abandon his career and focus on his celebrity cooking shows, and teaching children, a honourable duty he seems rather fitting for. I would also like to ask you, if there is any reccommendation for a young player like me; tennis-wise, or life-wise. I am really glad to be able to watch such an expert in tennis as you. Sorry for bothering you, and wasting your precious time with this e-mail, and once again, thank you for being the great player and nice person you are.

Yours Sincerely,
Hana Kaori

by **Ceni** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 3:20 pm

Singles — Round 1

Section 1
Dorotea Granit (PUG)                  6   6   6
Ilonka Plevnik (DOT)                  3   3   3

Eric Agostino (JUE)                   6   6   7
Carmichael Brown (ETM)                4   2   6

Komang Agus Artawan (PCU)             4   6   6   6
Ion Gheorghe Gheorghenescu (NTN)      6   3   0   4

Crystal Stephens (URM)                6   7   6   7
Nikita Karpov (USR)                   7   6   4   5

Jack Ho (ETM)                         6   6   6
Marinko Delavec (DOT)                 4   3   0

Selina Favreau (ETM)                  3   5   6   4
Ioana Amúlio Constantinescu (NTN)     6   7   3   6

Tena Špiričić (SRE)                   4   6   7   6
Kevin Lindman (HOP)                   6   2   5   4

Eric McLeod (GYO)                     6   6   6   2   6
Marisa Maradona (CEN)                 3   4   7   6   8

Section 2
Foger Rederer (ADB)                   6   4   4
Igor Matković (SRE)                   7   6   6

Jean van de Kloor (TJU)               4   6   1   6
Hakim Kalah-Mustafa (TJU)             6   3   6   7

Ivan Štimac (SRE)                     6   6   5   6
Amarsin Gandas (ADB)                  1   3   7   1

Livinia Moore (ETM)                   6   6   6
Alen Glesnik (DOT)                    4   4   3

Joe Katsi (TJU)                       6   5   6   3   8
Okoth Adida (NYK)                     0   7   3   6   6

Sofia Wentworth (LIS)                 4   5   4
Lukas Valerio (BRI)                   6   7   6

Dijana Jukić (DOT)                    5   2   6
Isis Dimpal (ACS)                     7   6   7

Dale Carman (UAD)                     4   5   6   3
Ingrid Dal (PUG)                      6   7   4   6

Section 3
Michael Loy (DEX)                     6   5   4   6   6
Vilim Gulić (DOT)                     4   7   6   4   4

Shinji Makauchi (TJU)                 6   6   3   6
Wen Si Ye (DOT)                       4   1   6   2

Jason Gordon (BRI)                    7   6   6   6
Aaren Seabrooke (UAD)                 6   7   3   2

Jozefien Robert (VAR)                 3   2   6   2
Indigo Crawford (UAD)                 6   6   4   6

Emily Romanescu (ADB)                 6   3   7   6   5
Kim Chester (UAD)                     7   6   6   4   7

Alma Aerssens (VAR)                   6   3   7   3   0
Aaliyah de León (BRI)                 4   6   6   6   6

Lucija Bagarić (SRE)                  6   2   4   7   6
Maria Shaminova (URM)                 3   6   6   6   0

Teagan Cantrell (UAD)                 3   6   2   3
Jumal Huyluer (HOP)                   6   2   6   6

Section 4
Lonus Varalin (CEN)                   7   7   6
Cornelis Zapfe (PUG)                  5   5   4

Rosie Collins (URM)                   2   6   5   4
Petra Mačinković (SRE)                6   2   7   6

Marcus Hathwar (ETM)                  6   6   6
Antonio Cannavaro (JUE)               3   3   1

Cate O'Malley (MEL)                   6   1   1   6   3
Vivian Walsh (UAD)                    0   6   6   4   6

Ricardo Toli (BRI)                    6   6   6   4   8
Madeleine Jeffries (HOP)              3   7   2   6   6

André Bapako (ACS)                    6   6   6
Felipe de la Rosa (TJU)               4   4   4

Leonora Gaditas (ACS)                 4   3   6   4
Scott Durin (LIS)                     6   6   3   6

Saber de Granat (LIS)                 6   7   7
Davi Malakkar (ACS)                   4   6   6

by **Srednjaci** » Fri Jan 27, 2023 6:02 am

CENIAN OPEN- season 9

MATKOVIĆ MADE THE BIGGEST SURPRISE ON THE FIRST DAY!

BY

IVAN JURLINA

Dear viewers, welcome to the show "IT'S TENNIS TIME!"
In the first Grand Slam season, the Cenian Open started with singles main draw matches. Five of our tennis players took to the court and the first day was very successful, all five won their matches. Really great news from the Cenian Open.

Foger Rederer (ADB)                   6   4   4
Igor Matković (SRE)                   7   6   6

This match deserves to be used to open the preview of the first day for all viewers who did not follow the live broadcast. The biggest upset on the first day was made by Igor Matković. The young player did something almost impossible in the first round, he knocked out the eighth seed of the tournament and the eighth player in the world, Foger Rederer from Adab.
In the first set, Foger started brilliantly and authoritatively and quickly took a 4-0 lead. However, our young player did not give up and saved almost impossible points. It's incredible how much our player ran to save every ball and force Foger to shoot more.
At 5-3 for Foger, the score on his serve was 40-40. A long point was played with long innings, a total of 26 rally shots. Both players had great shots. Our player was in a defensive position at that point on several occasions. Then the foger sends a weaker shorter ball and our player scores with a parallel backhand and gets a new break ball. Rederer could only applaud our player's move. But it left its mark on Foger, because he lost the game with a double fault and the score was 5-4. It is noticeable on the field that our player is gaining confidence and Foger has serious problems with his rhythm in the game. This was mostly seen in the tie break when Foger had two smashes in a row and both ended up in the net. This of course helped our tennis player to close the first set.
The game of Igor Matković continued to grow and Rederer got into more and more problems in the rest of the match. Slowly but surely, our tennis player broke his opponent, not allowing him a single break opportunity in the remaining two sets!
The biggest win in the career of young Igor Matković and he goes to the second round.
His next opponent is Hakim Kalah-Mustafa from TJUN-ia, who surprised his colleague from the national team Jean van de Kloor.

IGOR MATKOVIĆ UPSET FOGER REDERER

" I did my best, I knew I had nothing to lose in this match. Foger Rederer is a great player and has been at the very top of world tennis for a long time. I didn't want to think too much about anything but just play my best tennis and it paid off. This is an incredible win for me and is very important for my confidence. "

REPORTER: the next opponent is Hakim Kalah-Mustafa, do you have tactics for him?

"For now, I didn't even expect that I would win, I had no tactics even in this match. I don't have any tactics. I don't know anything about my opponent. For now, I'm going to enjoy in this moment. It's a big day for me."

Tena Špiričić (SRE)                   4   6   7   6
Kevin Lindman (HOP)                   6   2   5   4

Our best tennis player and 17th player in the world and 17th seed of the tournament, at the first Grand Slam of the season, she had some bigger problems than we expected. Kevin Lindman from Hopal presented excellent tennis and pressured our tennis player to play the best she can at this moment. Although this is her first international match in this season and the first after four months after her marriage, we didn't know what kind of shape she was in. It is precisely the lack of strong matches on the NSS Tennis Tour that is the cause of her not very recognizable game.
Tena entered the match very lukewarm, her shots were not as precise as before. She had a lot of unforced errors. On the other hand, Kevin Lindman used it brilliantly and won the first set 6-4.
In the second set, Tena already warmed up her hand, her shots were much more precise, but she also noticeably increased the speed and power of those shots. As soon as her game is in sight and as soon as she gets into her rhythm, her opponent has no chance. Tena won the second set very convincingly with 6-2.
In the remaining two sets, Tena was again sought after in the game. She was not able to maintain a good rhythm against the serve of her opponent from Hopal. But she made one break in each set, which is enough to win.

" this is my first competitive match after a long break and of course it will take me some time to get back into the rhythm. But I am looking forward to the new season."

REPORTER: How do you feel about your marriage? Is that a new experience for you?

"Marriage is great hahaha! The time of enjoying marriage is over hahaha! If you know what I mean hahaha!"

REPORTER: Yes, we know what you mean haha

"It's time to come back and I have to admit that I couldn't wait to get back on the court again."

REPORTER : Takanobu isn't that bad, is he? haha

"Takanobu is great, trust me haha"

REPORTER: Ok, we went too far and outside the tennis topic. Let's get back to tennis. Your next opponent is Marisa Maradona...

" Yes, Marisa is a really renowned name in world tennis and she had big problems in her game in the first match just like me. She is a very good player and she has been in tennis for a couple of years, she plays on her home court. Last season was not very great for her but this is a new season."

Ivan Štimac (SRE)                     6   6   5   6
Amarsin Gandas (ADB)                  1   3   7   1

In his first match, Ivan Štimac showed two of himself. In the match of the first round of the Cenian Open, Štimac had a player from Adab, Amarsin Gandas, as his opponent.
Right at the beginning, Ivan imposed his game on court, his authority, his rhythm. Our player showed fantastic tennis in the first two sets. Gandas had absolutely no chance to do anything in this match. And then inexplicable problems.
Štimac opens the third set in the rhythm of the first two. He led 3-0 and then stopped. He simply lost his rhythm, started making a lot of mistakes, and Gandas was getting back into the match. Gandas then has 5-3 but Ivan somehow manages to get back to 5-5 but then loses his serve without winning a point and Gandas ends the set with his serve at 7-5.
Štimac was visibly shaken. However, in the fourth set, he managed to regain his composure, find his game and rhythm, and convincingly win the set and win the match.

"I don't know what to say about the third set. It's just like I fell into a black hole and couldn't get out of it. But everything went well and I'm generally satisfied with my game. I improved some things, which is immediately visible in the game."

REPORTER : Livina Moore is your next opponent...

"a very tough opponent. But I believe in my game and myself and I hope that this black hole will not be there again. Livinia will take advantage of even the slightest insecurity of mine. I have to play my game."

Lucija Bagarić (SRE)                  6   2   4   7   6
Maria Shaminova (URM)                 3   6   6   6   0

Our second best player, the 22nd seed of the tournament Lucija Bagarić, with great difficulty managed to break the resistance of the talented Marija Shaminova from Magnecia. Only after five sets of hard fighting did Lucija emerge as the winner.
By the way, it is known that Lucija enters the season slowly and that her first matches are always a challenge, but congratulations to Shamonova, who played a great match.
Lucija won the first set with great difficulty, 6-3, and it was clear that things would not be easy for her. The incredible Shaminova was on the threshold of a great result and sensation. Maria won the remaining two sets and had a 5-3 lead in the third and service for the match! Miraculously, Lucija managed to come back to bring the set to a tie break. Shaminova takes a 3-0 lead in the tie break, but that's all she managed. Our tennis player wins the remaining 7 points and gets a tie break. Aware of missed opportunities. Maria Shaminova's game completely fell apart in the last match. Lucija felt that Shaminova fell into a difficult psychological situation. Lucija increased her aggressiveness and won the set and thus the match without losing a game.

"I'm not really satisfied, but Maria played incredible tennis. She hit the winners from all angles and situations. She's fast, great on the serve. I was able to beat her just on experience, but I think we'll hear a lot more good things about her. Now I have to focus on their mistakes and shortcomings and improve the game."

Rosie Collins (URM)                   2   6   5   4
Petra Mačinković (SRE)                6   2   7   6

Our other young rising star, Petra Macinković, won her debut match at the Cenian Open.
Macinkovic was better than Rosie Collins from Magnesia 3-1 in sets.
Macinković had a great start to the match and confidently won the first set 6-2. However, in the second set, Collins played much better, so the player from Magnesia won that set just as convincingly, 6-2. In the remaining two matches, we saw a slight dominance of our tennis player, but she was never able to break the resistance of Rosie Collins. However, better play and concentration helped our tennis player to win.

PETRA MAČINKOVIĆ DEFEAT ROSIE COLLINS

" This was a great match. I tried to stay focused on what I was doing after losing the second set. Collins is determined and I think this was a good match for her as well."

REPORTER: Lonus Varalin is your next opponent. What do you think about that upcoming match?

"Primarily, it will be an honor for me to play against Lonus. One of the best tennis players ever on NSST era. He is the former world number 1, he had a lot of big matches in his career, he is also the ex winner of the Britonish Open... What I can do at this moment is to prepare myself for that match, give my best and try to learn something from Lonus."

TODAY AT CENIAN OPEN

Today at the Cenian Open, the matches of the bottom half of the draw await us.
In that part of the draw today we will see the second player of the world Georg Heraklit and the third player of the world Ardil Navsal.
What is most important for us are the matches of our players. Alina Koreleva, Dora Klemenčić get in action on courts, and after the successful qualifications we will also see Ljubomir Ivanković in the main draw.
It is Ivanković who will have the most difficult job, we would even say an impossible mission, his opponent is 20th seed Madison Scott from Electrum.
We hope for more good news from courts of first Slam. Stay with our program because a little later we will join the live broadcast from the Cenian Open.

by **Gnejs** » Fri Jan 27, 2023 11:29 am

Dorotea’s sent items

From: theworldsgreatest@gtf.pug  
To: smellyflower1093@nmail.ntn  
Subject: Re: Fan mail - Hana Kaori, tennist  

Dear Hana Kaori,

Thank you for your correspondence. I must say it always thrills me to witness a flicker of intelligent life within the cerebral cesspool that is the world apart from myself. That you show the appropriate reverence for the Supreme Being - the one so obviously elevated in terms of skill and power – speaks of a clear mind aimed at seeking the Truth behind the corrupt veil of popular perception.

I am especially impressed by how you – with such precision – accurately deconstruct the plebian media narrative and thoroughly de-mask the charlatan Heraklit. It takes a certain astuteness of mind to grasp the structure of Being as such, with the divisions between chaotic spheres of sensible objects and the unchanging truths and structures of the natural order. Because to the average mind, of course, the entire charade of the NSTT comes across as a competition where «equals» do battle on level ground, but if you posses the necessary capacity to ascend beyond common sagacity, the proper outcome - and in extension therefore the ludicrous nature of what appears - is clearly obvious.

It is not that I allow others to triumph due to some misplaced sense of empathy, mind you. No, elevating the weakness of others in this manner is detrimental to nature as such, and any proper advice from a true champion - of which there can only be one - is that you must trample those weaker than you at all times, unless the opposite in some form serves to hoist your own seasoning. Whenever I suspend cosmic righteousness and concede a momentary jubilance to worms, it is purely because it amuses me to meditate on the fact that lower lifeforms fleetingly believe they are apt to climb the ladder of eminence. Which makes it ever so much more amusing to crush them afterwards. I sense in you the capacity to discern these truths, and for this I salute you.

On one point, however, your are gravely mistaken. There is nothing great about Heraklit, whatsoever. His cooking is subpar, and it remains one of the gravest offenses against good taste ever to allow him to exhibit his mediocrity on prime time television.

I will follow your future endeavors, and I suspect you will do well. Of course, you will never be as great a player as me, simply because that is beyond the realm of possibility. However, given your astute grasps of the very fundamentals of the natural order, you may very well one day reach the heights of a certain lower greatness

Best wishes,

Dorotea.

by **Archalit** » Fri Jan 27, 2023 12:08 pm

She Lands
Isenaka is there to greet Kanoa

"Woo!" Kanoa exclaims, excited to land in Ceni for her first international tennis tournament.

Isenaka comes up and greets her. "Welcome to hell," he says, radiating an aura of cynicism.

"Shut up, dude. You just suck

"

"Damn, okay. You're still in int'l waters, you sure you can keep up that confidence?"

"Of course, I just came back from scoring our way through the semifinals in BoF."

"Meh," he says, wearing a smug face, "maybe it can only hurt."

"Again, these guys aren't good, y'all just suck."

"Nah," Isenaka retorts, wearing an ironically anguished expression, "you didn't just say that."

"I think quantity is better than quality to be honest," Kanoa begins saying, "if we had actually FILLED the roster, maybe someone would be going with me."

"Whatever you say..." Isenaka groans, disinterested, "come on, let's go to the hotel."

by **Dexterra** » Fri Jan 27, 2023 12:56 pm

27 January 2023

DEXTENNIS

served to you by the Dexter Tennis Union

Thank You For Reading ★ Est. 19 November 2021 ★ Court XIV Match II (archive)

2023’s plenty empty pleas

by Tristan Armstrong | Cenial, Ceni | Previous

On this day a year ago there was a tennis beginner,
hoping to be the winner, but was instead the dinner.
Getting back up, he found he needn’t charm long -
there’s a reason I’m named Tristan Armstrong.

They call that ‘nominative determinism,’ I think.
One’s name and life path wrapped in wry sync,
like a banker named Bill earning hustle
or a certain tennis player burning muscle.

Ending last year in my first quarterfinals that once
(through the Diamond Trophy’s churning bustle -
technically last month? I guess, I’m kind of a dunce)
I think I’ve been making progress on several fronts.

'Surreal' best described the Diamond elite eight,
but now I'm awake at the Cenian Open to defeat fate
starting with madam Sharanova, the sixteenth qualifier,
waiting to bulldoze the first round and fall all my spire.

Always sure to never take a match for granted,
a new season brings new chances and new gleams.
Brand new seams for grand true dreams,
starting with a second round to be more planted.

Ipso facto, this belated New Year, I’ve one resolution:
reach a semis, a finals even - just continue evolution
from a starter’s destitution to a finisher’s restitution.
’Tristan’ wills constitution, ‘Armstrong’ the prosecution.

by **Hopal** » Fri Jan 27, 2023 3:14 pm

NSTT Season 9 Opens in Ceni, take a look at where Team Hopal Stands

The ninth season of the NSTT has begun with the Cenian Open in Cenial, Ceni, where the Hopalians faced tough matches in the Qualifying and First Rounds, we discuss those later on. But, let us first give you a look into where the players on Team Hopal stand going into this new season.

The President of the Hopalian Tennis Association, Michael Bach, named the team going to the Cenian Open just days before the tournament's start. The roster released including six Singles entries and three Doubles entries. This is expected to be a big season for the Hopalian Tennis Association, as tennis in Hopal seems to turn to a new chapter. Tennis is Hopal has long been considered an elitist sport, or at least one that hasn't been very inclusive. Hopalian Tennis players have for a longtime either come from the elite Port Hope Tennis Club, whose membership only extends to the rich and powerful or have been of Indigenous descend and upbringing. The tennis ball, to many was a symbol of the inequality that remained in Hopal. But recent performances by Hopalian tennis players on the international stage has begun to change, as with breakout performance or run that a Hopalian tennis players goes on, the sport of tennis has attracted more Hopalian fans and watchers, particularly among a younger generation, who never knew the class divide that the sport of tennis once represented. With this newfound popularity more towns and cities are starting to fund tennis courts, more schools are starting to provide tennis as school sport, and tennis is expected be a part of a new sports-package to be announced by Prime Minister Harry Felixon. The Hopalian Tennis Association hopes to capitalizes on this newfound success, and hopes to expedite the growth of tennis in Hopal, which so far has moved at a very slow pace. But this success of tennis among a new generation of Hopalian fans has been fueled by a new generation of Hopalian tennis players. One of the issues that Michael Bach and Hopalian Tennis Association will have to face is the question of how much of a role this new generation of Hopalian tennis players will play on tournament rosters, as it threatens to push out the rapidly aging veterans of the Hopalian tennis team. The Hopalian Tennis Association has already gotten to work, with Michael Bach announcing in his pre-season press conference that the Hopalian Tennis Association will develop a new way for Hopalian players who have little or no experience on the international stage to earn a spot on a tournament roster. He said that he and the Hopalian Tennis Association will do everything in its power to expand the sport of tennis in Hopal, and give new Hopalian players a chance to prove themselves in front of the world. But the 6 player roster named to the Cenian Open all had previous experience on the international stage, and at least one previous breakout performance, each. There wasn't much in the way of rookie blood on this roster.

The biggest question facing the Hopalian Tennis Association going into this season is what will happen to veteran stars Kyrsten Fletcher and Jumal Huyluer? Questions of retirement have dogged the pair (particularly Fletcher, the elder of the two) through to the end of the last season. The two were the first Hopalians to play in an international tournament some years ago, and made it to the knockout round of the Diamond Trophy as a Doubles Pair last season. The two were the face of Hopalian tennis up until last season, with Fletcher coming from the tradition of the Port Hope Tennis Club and Huyluer being of Indigenous descent. The two were easily the best tennis players in Hopal before last season, but have been eclipsed in success and popularity by the likes of Erik Burawa and Madeleine Jeffries. The two of them have seemed to hit something of a wall on the Singles side last season, with neither of them being able to make it past 3 rounds in a tournament on the Singles side through the whole of the season, often falling in the first or second rounds. But the two have seen more success together on the Doubles side, where they've routinely made it through at least one round, something they've struggled to do on the Singles side. There are many Hopalians who argue that their time has past, and that they should hang up their rackets and retire, passing the torch to a new up-and-coming generation of Hopalian tennis players. The two of them certainly look like they're more tired and have less energy to them than they did in their prime, perhaps age is catching up to the both of them? We will soon see how this situation plays out, and how the Hopalian Tennis Association views it, will they continue to select them to compete in tournaments, as they've always done so far? We'll have to see, but there doesn't seem to be much indication of a retirement for either of them coming any time soon. But then all parties involved in this have remained tight lipped. This is the main drama of this Hopalian team going into a new season.

The pair of Kyrsten Fletcher and Jumal Huyluer seem to have been replaced at the top by Erik Burawa. Burawa, who comes from the tradition of Indigenous tennis players, captured the attention of Hopalian tennis fans with his run at the Tabeira International, in which he made it all the way to the semifinals, and his following run in the New Oxford Masters. But after those two performances on the Grass Court, Burawa has failed to find his footing. He's been plagued with early exits at almost all of the tournaments following those two performances on the Grass Court. Still Burawa is the highest ranked Hopalian player going into this new season, ranked 52nd in the world on the Singles side. Burawa has long lacked a Doubles partner, and has thus far only played on the Singles side. But going into this Cenian Open, it was announced that Burawa would be paired on the Doubles side with Kevin Lindman. This pairing has drawn comparisons to the Fletcher-Huyluer pairing, with Kevin Lindman coming from the same Port Hope Club tradition as Fletcher did, and Lindman's playing style has drawn many comparisons to Fletcher. Lindman had his breakout performance at the Mercedinian Open last season, where he pulled a surprise upset over Kyrsten Fletcher in his rookie match on the world stage. That match, which was the first between two Hopalian players at an international tournament, was for many, the beginning in a changing of the guard for Hopalian tennis. It showed definitively that this new generation of Hopalian tennis players was now better than the old generation. Lindman had much the same playing style as Fletcher, the methodical agility in being able get all over the court, and the talent of being able to read the game, and Lindman now could that style and ability better than Fletcher could now. Since that grand slam where he made his debut, he's had little opportunity to demonstrate himself, most tournament rosters for the tournaments in the Indoor Hard Court following the Mercedinian Open had been finalized before his breakout performance. But in the few international tournaments we've seen him at since the Mercedinian, though he's never again made as far as he has in his debut grand slam, he's shown great promise. (He currently ranked 72nd in the world, being the second highest ranked Hopalian.) That continued in Round 1 of the Cenian Open where Lindman faced world number 17, Tena Špiričić of Srednjaci, who was returning to tennis after a four month hiatus following her marriage. The 17th seeded player certainly needn't seem to be at her best, and Lindman used that to his advantage, always keeping the pressure on Špiričić. Pressing this advantage, Lindman came out to a relatively quick first set win. But Špiričić seemed to have started to find her game going into the second set, and Lindman was overwhelmed by her quicker pace. Lindman tried to rally in the third set, mixing things up with his play, trying to keep his play unpredictable and sending Špiričić all over the court, keeping things tight, but he wasn't able to finish the job against the more experienced Srednjaci player, who easily came away with the fourth set and match win. By the end of the game, Lindman's inexperience seemed to catch up to him, as he found himself overwhelmed and unenergetic, and admitted that his mind couldn't with the pace of the game by the end. He said he would continue to work with coach and analyze his play and continue to find ways to improve himself, saying that he hopes to gain more experience at these international tournaments.

But that wasn't the only match that Lindman's played so far the Cenian Open. The Burawa/Lindman pairing has already made it's debut. In the Qualifying Round they first played against Nicolas Renaud and Laurens Blanc of Varavel, they went off to a rough start losing their first set, looking a bit rusty and awkward together. But they soon seemed to have found some sort of an understanding and using their respective talents to a pave a relatively easy path to victory against the pair from Varavel. They then faced in the next Qualifying Round, the mixed-national pair of Sigrid Vasakärven from Gnejs and Botack Andiam of the host nation Ceni. This was a pair that had obviously spent a lot more time refining their craft than the new Hopalian pair had together. The Hopalians off of a confidence high from their last match, secured themselves a first set victory, but the awkwardness and rust seemed to have returned with the second and third sets as the mixed-national pair began to outsmart and outplay them. The Hopalian left the court with a disheartening second Qualifying Round loss. Their debut drew more comparisons of the pairing to the Fletcher-Huyluer pairing with Lindman having Fletcher's method while Burawa had Huyluer's strength, stamina, speed, and flair. But it clear watching the two that they had little chemistry between them, which is so vital for a Doubles pair, even the two best players in the world won't get very far as a pair if they don't know or trust each other. Lindman and Burawa seemed to struggle to communicate to each other out on the court, and that inevitably led to at part of their demise at this Cenian Open. They'll have to work together more if they want to build up chemistry, or if that doesn't work they might have to find new partners.

Finally the last Hopalians at this Cenian Open are Karina Gourde and Madeleine Jeffries who haven't played their first Doubles match together at this tournament yet, but have both played a Singles match. Jeffries is the 3rd highest ranked Hopalian tennis player, being ranked 81st in the world, she and Gourde shot to fame at the Mercedinian Open, where they together made it as a pair to the Round of 16 in their Doubles debut performance. Jeffries with her short slight stature is a fierce competitor, bursting with passion and energy, and she has the strength and the agility to face up to any challenger. She faced a formidable challenge in her first match at the Cenian Open against the world number 12 Ricardo Toli of Britonsea. It was a tough challenge for Jeffries, but she put up quite the fight, after a stinging first set loss for her and after Toli went out to an early lead in the second set, she rallied and after a precision shot in the 13th game of the set, narrowly edged out Toli for the second set win. Toli came back in the third set, dominating Jeffries, but Jeffries tapped into her reserves in the fourth set to come away with a decisive victory. The match would all come down to a tie-breaking fifth set, and it was a close one. The games went back and forth between the two players, with Jeffries still maintaining her fiery passion and energy far into a grueling fifth set. The set was tied 6-6, but Toli played two brilliant games at the end, outplaying the young Jeffries to go away with the match. Now Karina Gourde played her first match against Alexis Davidson of Golyna. Gourde is making her international debut on the Singles side, she didn't play Singles at the Mercerdinian Open, she was playing partner to Madeleine Jeffries. Gourde is actually a multi-sport athlete, and actually didn't play a lot of tennis as, but finally settled on the sport with the help of her longtime friend Madeleine Jeffries, and the two have been training together for many months. Gourde brings the speed and athleticism of her other sports to tennis, and that showed in her debut match. Davidson went out to an early lead winning the first set, but Gourde came back to win the second set, before putting up a fierce fight before a loss in the third set.

by **Varavel** » Fri Jan 27, 2023 4:20 pm

CENIAN OPEN - Recapping Varavelan Performances on Day One.

By Youri Coste - Tennis Insider

Although Varavel is an unknown entity in the international tennis scene, sixteen Varavelan athletes arrived in Cenial, Cani to compete in the opening Grand Slam of the season: The Cenian Open. This is the 9th edition of the Cenian Open and the National Racquet Centre provides a stellar setting to launch a new season of the NationStates Tennis Tour.

Singles Qualifying Round 1

Mariska Dumont

In the first match of the first round of Singles Qualifying, 28-year-old Mariska Dumont faced off with Pemecutan's Putu Agus Palguna. Dumont, the Landenburg native struggled in the first set, unable to find consistency and rhythm and falling to Putu Agus Palguna 6-4. The second and third sets saw a much more confident Dumont. She had a much better time of dictating her shot locations and making her opponent cover ground. She cruised through the 2nd set 6-3 to even the score and fought through a tough 3rd set and eventually getting the victory.

Jeroen Van Wegberg

The second match of Singles Qualifying saw Jeroen Van Wegberg and Qasden's Pristina Trevante. Trevante made easy work of the Twenty-one year old from Roesstal. Van Wegberg looked completely out of place and never was able to control the match or dictate the pace. It was a rude awakening to the reality of international competition for Van Wegberg who has made it look easy at times in amateur domestic tournaments, but found out the hard way that this level is very different from what he is accustomed to.

Jeroen Van Wegberg struggles to return a serve from Qasden's Pristina Trevante in the first set of a Qualifying Round match.

Matteo Klerx

Matteo Klerx had a dream start in the qualifying round at the Cenian Open. Klerx took on Qasden's Jane Floral and advanced to the next round in two sets. He looked confident and made difficult shots at times to stay in the match and showed grit to power through and advance. Klerx is just 22 years old and showed real promise in this first qualifying match. In this transition to international competition, there are bound to be bumps and setbacks. We will have to see if his luck continues, but Matteo Klerx showed he belonged in Cenial in his first match.

Matteo Klerx celebrates after a point in his qualifying round match against Jane Floral of Qasden.

Singles Qualifying Round 2

Mariska Dumont

Mariska Dumont's good fortunes came to an end in the 2nd Qualifying Round at the Cenian Open where she fell to Sannyamathland's Maria Sharanova in 3 sets. After taking the first set, things were looking up for Dumont, but as the match went on, Sharanova fought back and forced Dumont to make tough shots. It was an entertaining match and well fought by both athletes, but unfortunately Mariska Dumont exits before reaching the first round in Ceni.

Léonne Rousseau

A disastrous 2nd set doomed Maasveen native Léonne Rousseau in the 2nd Qualifying Round in Ceni. The former collegiate star from Sainte Catherine's University took a convincing victory in the first set before Melbergia's Aoife Morrow dominated set two and completely derailed Rousseau's confidence which led to a defeat in the deciding 3rd set which sent Léonne Rousseau packing.

A frustrated Léonne Rousseau reacts to a lost point in the 2nd set of her 2nd Qualifying Round match against Aoife Morrow of Melbergia.

Hadrien St Pierre

Hadrien St Pierre suffered the biggest collapse of the Varavelan delegation thus far. St Pierre cruised through the first set 6-1 and followed that set up by only winning 2 games in the remaining 2 sets losing 6-2 in the 2nd set and 6-0 in the 3rd set. It was a frustrating showing for the Slozaal native who had high hopes of qualifying and making it to the first round of the competition.

Matteo Klerx

After a great win in the first qualifying round, Matteo Klerx was disposed of in a quick 2 sets by Ljubomir Ivanković of Srednjaci. Klerx failed to really get into the match and struggled to maintain his composure. There were bound to be bumps along the road for the first international tournament of the 22 year old's career and this was certainly one of them. He will look to bounce back at the next opportunity on tour.

Aymeric Meeuwessen

One of the favorites from the Varavelan amateur circuit, Aymeric Meeuwessen was swept in two sets by Melbergia's Toby Lindberg in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the Cenian Open. Meeuwessen fought hard in both sets and took Lindberg to the brink in both of them, but it wasn't enough to get a win and extend the match. Meeuwessen, 28, from Bourmart was a standout at Antigueux University and has 5 tournament victories on the amateur circuit throughout VaraveL There is good reason to believe that he will have some success on tour, but that will have to wait.

Doubles Qualifying Round 1

The first qualifying round for the Doubles competition was not friendly to Varavelan competitors either as 4 of the 5 doubles pairs were eliminated. The duo that put the toughest fight was Sévérine Géroux and Sarah Marie who went shot for shot with Melbergia's Linda Hurrell and Ralph Nilsen, but lost a close 3rd set 7-5. In other doubles action, Aymeric Meeuwessen & Josse Van Ophoven lost in straight sets to Qasden's Kora Sunder & Vin Van Der Vin and the mixed nationality pair of Osanne Bezuidenhout & Estée Bonnet of Archalit lost in straight sets to Megan Ives & Edsan Gallagher from Qasden. Nicolas Renaud & Laurens Blanc showed glimpses of good tennis in a 3 set loss to Hopal's Erik Burawa & Kevin Lindman.

Singles - Round 1

Alma Aerssens

Alma Aerssens and Britonisea's Aaliyah de Léon had a classic first round matchup that went 5 sets. Aerssens showed signs of exhaustion in the 5th set which she dropped 6-0. She showed fight throughout the match and came as close as anyone could to advancing. The 25 year-old St. Barnard's College alum showed she belonged.

Jozefien Robert

Jozefien Robert lost in 4 sets to United Adaikes's Indigo Crawford. After dropping the first 2 sets, Robert showed fight to come back and win the 3rd set. That fight was overpowered by the experienced Crawford in the 4th set which Robert dropped 6-2 and was subsequently sent home.

So, Who's Left?

~~Jozefien Robert~~
~~Alma Aerssens~~
~~Aymeric Meeuwessen~~
~~Mariska Dumont~~
~~Jeroen Van Wegberg~~
~~Mattéo Klerx~~
~~Hadrien St Pierre~~
~~Léonne Rousseau~~

Éric De Witte / Gauvain Deniel
~~Sévérine Géroux / Sarah Marie~~
~~Aymeric Meeuwessen / Josse Van Ophoven~~
~~Nicolas Renaud / Laurens Blanc~~
~~Osanne Bezuidenhout / Estée Bonnet (ARC)~~

The doubles pair of Éric De Witte & Gauvain Deniel are the only Varavelans remaining in the Cenian Open. They will take on Sannyamathland's Roman Aven & Anastasia Vesnina in the Doubles 1st Round.

by **Qasden** » Fri Jan 27, 2023 4:38 pm

A Flash in the Pan: Qasden's Return to Tennis Poised for Disaster
By Jackson Darvel

After eons of nonexistent protesting and violent rioting, the triumphant return of Qasden to its tennis roots has been met with the raucous clangor to the tunes of crickets in the thousands.

Despite the retirements of revered icons in Ty Kanelious and Halaeo DiGaldi following early round exits at the recentmost Olympics, the National Tennis Exploratory Program of Qasden (NTEPQ), aimed to revitalize a dusty corridor in the stretched cadaver of the country's legacy sporting hall. Tennis, commonly known in ancient Qasdonian text as "Tennis", is a sport long regarded within the backgrounds of historical excitement when watching more entertaining sports teams whiff it under the pearlescent arc lights of foreign pitches. It was the 3rd Electrum Slam moons ago that catapulted our interest in this weird lime ball sport, and while its national fascination has considerably grayed, the dedication to sponsoring a team for the annual Cenian Open has not. The prime contest of the small Rushmori nation has been good to us, albeit never seeing a Qad off into its deeper knockout stages. It's the place many Qads associate with the sport and our country's beginning (and end) of interest in it. Bringing in names like Lonus Varalin and the infamous Xal siblings, Ceni is the true benefactor that keeps NSTT fans egged on for generations.

As part of the tournament's 9th celebration, NTEPQ decided to reorganize a full roster of faces unfamiliar and even more unfamiliar to indulge in the festivous beginnings of another multiversal cycle. Prodigy apprentices Michael Juno and Kora Sunder return to the Cenial stages once again, rejoined by the likes of the impeccable Ven van der Vin, the mysterious Aegis Geronimo, the humble Simon Oxford, and the lovable Will Washer. The new Old Guard of Qad Tennis is looking to pick up where they left off, though they aren't the only ones hopping in! Newcomers include some of the biggest names you've never heard of, like Laurence Ophelia, Greta Dogsmouth, Jane Floral, and who could forget the power duo in Jordanien Hutch and Flagstaff McCroy? Iconic, truly. With such a stacked team, the road to Cenium certification is one with yellow bricks, right? ...Right?

Qualifiers begin, and it's already over. Within molecules of the tournament's commencement, Floral would be shut out by Varavel's Mattéo Klerx. Geronimo, Ophelia, and Dogsmouth would each lose their first matches in sets of 3; and while Trevante did manage to upend Jeroen Van Wegberg of the same Varavel I mentioned before, a second round slap in the face by Gnejs native Ingrid Dal would stop any hope of advancement. With Van der Vin exiting to an unremorseful Martina Aguero of Juvencus, the Single's Qualifying would prove to be a devastating blow to the nation's solo stories-to-be. The Doubles side of things would prove inherently fruitful, in comparison, albeit a single team consisting of Old Guarders doesn't spell a happy future, now does it? Hutch and McCroy were denied big time by Lisanderians, meanwhile Megan Ives and Edsan Gallagher were prevented from joining the main mode of play after getting curbstomped in Round 2 by a pair from Sannyamathland. The start of a new cycle proved...disastrous, among other things. Qads were first to fall left and right, with the only progressions being those who had earned them prior to the seeding announcements. It's a cumbersome event to swallow...but perhaps there could still be hope in the long run of things.

While fruitless, the singles campaign isn't over quite yet. Entering the First Round of the tourney proper, we find our apprentice duo in Wild Card positions, earning entry with a mixture of former skills and, honestly, hard luck. Michael Juno, the successor to Kanelious, is tasked with getting revenge for his V-flagged friend, being drawn against qualifier Martina Aguero. Kora Sunder, the heiress to DiGaldi's dedication to the sport, now finds herself across the net from Damir Pernar of Dotivija, the two of which play for the potential of meeting #8 Indah Susanti in the next round. It's a grim sight of things, but in the clenched hands of the two biggest successors to the nation's sporting legacy, it's the best sight we got. On the flipside, Oxford and Washer garnered themselves a wild card, as well, paging themselves a run-in with Acastanha-Pemecutan duo, Bruno Ayragadh and Chandra Wiguna, a battle that may or may not reward the victors a meeting with the tournament favorites in Elia and Fia Xal. Elsewhere we find our sole Qualifying survivors in Kora Sunder and Ven Van der Vin, who outlasted the powerful forces of Varavel and Lisander alike to garner a game against the Open's #4s, Jaguar Zenteanite and Zeke Newham of Britonisea. A meeting most unnerving, but with bets running high against them, the mischief clock is all they can face right now.

So that about does it. Can the last of Qasden's Grand Slam guardians holdout against the first enemies of the proper bloodbath? Will Juno and Sunder keep the legends of the names that supported them above water? Or will all of this effort simply be swept into the drain for another day's storm to come? Stay tuned, stay updated, and stay alert for possible future details, straight off the court of Ceni's premium sporting complex.

by **Ceni** » Fri Jan 27, 2023 5:12 pm

THREE TO SEE: CENIAN OPEN, DAY 2

Day 1 at the Cenian Open was fairly quiet in terms of Cenian participation, with both Lonus Varalin and Marisa Maradona proceeding to the second round. The bottom half, then, sees the majority of Cenians in action. Looking at today's matches... there will certainly be enough to delight and surprise even the most casual Cenian tennis fan. Let's dig right in to our Three to See for the Cenian Open, Day 2:

(2) Georg Heraklit (PUG) vs. Xander Foyner-Devatee (CEN)
On one side of the net: Cenian breakout star Xander Foyner-Devatee, who shot to prominence at the New Oxford Masters... and has generally performed well, but not spectacularly, since. On the other side of the net: World number 2 Georg Heraklit, fighting with his countryman (and defending champion) Dorotea Granit for the world number one position. Our prediction here is almost a slam dunk: the Gnejsians have been almost impregnable last season (if that word can be applied to a person), coming within one match of holding the world number one spots in singles and doubles. In the burgeoning rivalry between our two nations, both players will be looking to score one for the team, but we think Heraklit will simply be too good here.

Winner: Heraklit

(6) Janet Riley (ETM) vs. Johmer Vales (CEN)
In another contest between two venerable tennis nations, Johmer Vales will take on sixth seed Janet Riley. Like Xander Foyner-Devatee, he had big hopes for going far at his home slam. After all, he is still far from the highest rungs of this sport that he used to occupy back in the olden days of the NSTT, and in desperate need of solid ranking points. Riley, on the other hand, is the torchbearer for Electrumite singles tennis after Andrew Simmons has slid down the ranks somewhat, and it seems like she constantly needs to prove that Electrumite tennis is still relevant.

But beyond comparing what's at stake for both players, we still need to compare the two players themselves! Riley is certainly the player looking to be in better form right now, with a streak of quarterfinals or better and an appearance at the NSTT Finals in New Gelderland, while Vales has not played a whole lot recently. But we think that, if he can utilize his arsenal of volleys, slices, and drop shots effectively, he can catch Riley off her guard somewhat, especially with the home crowd firmly behind him.

Winner: Vales

Noah Damaris (CEN) vs. Byron Aucamon (CEN)
Friendly fire, anyone? Unfortunately, the draw gods (cough cough, Margaret) have not been kind to Cenian entrants in Round One, so we'll have to see one aspiring run at this tournament foreclosed all too early. Despite his hopes to the contrary, we think it'll be Aucamon: the young Cenian with a heart of gold really hasn't caught a break so far on the NSTT (encapsulated by a blog called Byron Aucamon vs. the World). In the case of Aucamon vs. Damaris, we think the latter's booming serve and big match experience will be enough to dispatch the up-and-comer on the Grandstand court in a match sure to be attended by plenty of Cenian fans cheering on their own.

Winner: Damaris

[Tennis/NSTT] Outdoor hard court season 9 [RP/Results]

[Tennis/NSTT] Outdoor hard court season 9 [RP/Results]

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