Percy896's Tennis Forum

PSALT

A long, eventful day has ended in Switzerland. Group A was expected to be the toughest, it proved to be as difficult to pick as everyone expected. NEA was the favorite, he started out strong, picking apart Stroganoff with astonishing ease, winning 6-4 6-4. PSALT-Dave was up next. PSALT broke early and ended up with the first set 6-3, Dave rebounded however, winning a close second set tiebreaker 8-6. It then came down to the wire, with PSALT breaking Dave late in the third set to close out the match, 6-3 6-7 6-4. Dave looked to salvage his hopes when he took on NEA. Dave outplayed NEA from the baseline in the first set; going up 3-0, then closed it out 6-4. NEA showed his superior mental toughness though, rebounding form a 2-4 second set deficit to even the score at 3-6 7-5. He then went on to close it out thanks to an early break, 6-3 in the third. Stroganoff-PSALT was up next. They have played seemingly endless about of times this season. Stroganoff got the break at 4-4 and served the first set out. PSALT was clearly distressed at being a set down and started over hitting. Stroganoff closed it out 6-4 6-2. Finally it came down to NEA v. PSALT. Arguably the match of the entire RR stage. PSALT started out on fire, moving NEA around and then closing at net. He quickly rushed to a 6-2 first set victory. NEA was not to be outdone by his main young gun nemesis however; he started to fight for points and thanks to his movement and serve matched PSALT’s first set performance, clinching the second 6-2. NEA continued to hold serve comfortably throughout the third set while PSALT was forced to fight through his many doubles faults and altogether horrid serves to claw his way to 4-4. NEA then played a scrappy service game, getting only 2 first serves in, and let PSALT dictate play with great down the line backhands, PSALT broke and went on to win 6-2 2-6 6-4. That match sealed the semifinalists from Group A, PSALT and NEA. Dave was not about to go home empty handed however, he fought past a poorly played final set to oust Stroganoff 7-5 6-7 6-3.

Group B was filled with surprises. J-man and Jennacourt open Group B played. J-man was showing the form that carried him to a French Open title, absolutely demolishing a helpless Jennacourt, 6-2 6-2. Doublea then was up next, facing Trinky. The young Canadian was in fine form in his YEC debut, breaking Trinky early in both the first and third sets to win 6-4 6-7 6-4, adding to Trinky’s many, many YEC failures. Both Jenna and Trinky looked to rebound after their losses when they played in the third Group B match. They both held moderately comfortably to force a tiebreak, before Tricatrina capitalized on Jenna doubles faults, cruising to a 1 set lead, 7-6 (2). She then was clearly energized, breaking Jenna at love to start the second set. She never let up, closing out Jenna 7-6 6-3. J-man and Doublea than squared off in a rematch of their Sharapova Cup final. Doublea struggled on serve the entire match thanks to jaw-dropping J-man return winners. The American was also dominant on serve, never facing a break point as he cruised to a 6-3 6-3 victory. Doublea was looking to rebound however; he tried his luck at clinching a semifinal spot against Jennacourt. He was moving well and serving impeccably as he served and volleyed his way to a first set victory, 6-3. He then rushed out to a 5-1 lead, before Jennacourt found her serve for the first time in the event, storming back to 5-5. It was all for none however, as she was broken the next game, Doublea then held at love thanks to three aces and a backhand volley to close out the match. Then in a simple formality we were forced to watch J-man beat Tricatrina. All though Trinky can be credited for her low slices and angles that kept J-man off balance, she fell 7-5 6-3 in the end however.

Final group standings,

Group A

PSALT – 2-1 (he takes the top seed thanks to a win over NEA)
NEA – 2-1
Dave – 1-2 (he is second because of H2H with Stroganoff)
Stroganoff – 1-2

Group B

J-man – 3-0
Doublea – 2-1
Trinky – 1-2
Jennacourt – 0-3

I also have bios with three of the four semifinalists.

Doublea

Favorite Surface ... grass
Least Favorite Surface ...clay
Goal for Next Season ...Grand Slam title, Wimbledon most preferably
Highlight of Career ...semifinal appearance at Wimbledon (Season 4)
Win of Career ... def. J-Man 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, Wimbledon QF
What player do you look up to? ... Andre Agassi
Most overrated player on tour ... Not really anyone. According to the RACE rankings, pretty much everyone is ranked where they deserve to be.

Q. You seemed truly surprised you made it. Why? You have been extremely consistent for most of the past two seasons.

Doublea. Well, I was ranked like in the twenties (in the RACE) midway through the season. During the first half (of the season), I had some good runs here and there, but it was quite dismal for the most part. I had not the tiniest inkling that I would be here in Switzerland today.

NEA

Favorite Surface
Clay

Least Favorite Surface
Grass

Goal for Next Season
To win a Grand Slam

Highlight of Career
God, there are so many. Season 4, as a whole.

Win of Career
I actually don't know. Winning my first Tier I was special, perhaps beating x.doublea in the Final.

What player do you look up to? (a past or current player in real life, a current FTL player, make up a player, it doesn't matter)
Rafael Nadal, I have been compared to him recently. Also Vanessa.

Most overrated player on tour
dav6789

Q. So. While we constantly speculate, you and Child have yet to announce anything. Are you officially a couple? You have been seen at her many estates, at Chelsea games, at fashion shows, you name it practically. Why keep hiding your relationship? Vanessa Child is getting quite plump lately as well......... just too many ho-ho's, or something else?

NEA. Vanessa is not pregnant, as far as I know. We are not hiding anything. I just choose not to deny or confirm our relationship. And that is that.

PSALT

Favorite Surface
Indoor hard or carpet

Least Favorite Surface
Clay

Goal for Next Season
To win a Grand Slam

Highlight of Career
My YEC final, my French final, or my first Aussie final.

Win of Career
Probably my win over Bizet in the Season 2 Aussie semis.

What player do you look up to?

Lindsay Davenport. Ana Ivanovic too, it was amazing seeing her win 22 Slam titles.

Most overrated player on tour
Bizet

Q. You have had your worst season by some distance this year. You have been, by all standards, quite appalling. Is this due to your relationship with leftys? I have to say; there is a clear correlation since that started with your slump in play. Are you prioritizing your love-life over your tennis?

PSALT. I disagree. I started dating Leftys at the USO, since then I have been great. It’s great to see her cheering for me in the stands with a t-shirt that says ‘I’m With Stupid’…… she’s always been a joker. If anything she’s my good luck charm. (laughs)

Predictions

PSALT def Doublea 7-6 4-6 6-4
J-man def NEA 6-4 6-4

J-man def PSALT 7-5 7-5

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