2009 USTA Pro Circuit – Calabasas, CA

October 31st, 2009

Hey Tennis Friends!

Setting the example of how easy it is to see pro tennis, I went to the USTA.com website to find a local challenger event on the USTA Pro Circuit.

Because of my mid-week tennis commitments, I was not able to attend until semifinal day. However, earlier in the week, fans saw action from such players as Bradley Klahn (who was featured in my Claremont report), Vince Spadea, Jessie Levine, Taylor Dent, and the number one seed, Kevin Kim.

The first semifinal was between two over-30 veteran players, Cecil Mamiit (33), from the USA (but playing for the Philippines), and American Michael Russell (31).
The second semifinal was also between two Americans, Michael Yani (28), who had just reached his career high of #189, and last year’s semifinalist and 2007 finalist, Donald Young (20).

The weather was fantastic for this fall day in Southern California . . .

In the first match, it was all the #2 seed, Michael Russell, as he commanded a 5-0 lead. Cecil Mamiit was able to get in one game, before Russell finished off the first set.
In the second set, things got more competitive as Russell had to save three second set points (after being down 5-3), to get himself into a tie breaker. Down 4-1 in the tiebreaker, Russell, who is the USTA Pro Circuit’s all-time leader in tournament wins with 20, pulled himself together to make it into the championship round over the 2002 finalist:
6-1, 7-6(6).

The second match was fraught with unforced errors, more than winners. Donald Young, who took out former Top 25 player Taylor Dent in the round of 16, made relatively quick work of Michael Yani, by taking out the former Duke All-American:
6-3, 6-1.

In the final the next day, unseeded Donald Young, whose only singles titles have been in California (Aptos in 2007 and Sacramento in 2008), was able to add a third career title, with his straight set championship win over Michael Russell:
7-6(4) 6-1.

“I know it came in the fall but it feels great to get my first tournament win of the year,” said a smiling Young, who lost to Russell back in February in Dallas. “Michael gets a lot of balls back. He doesn’t ever give up so you just have to stay in there and be patient.”

I’ll see you next time, with more tennis, . . . outside the lines!

– Marcus Tennis

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2009 USTA Adult Men (Fall) III

October 24th, 2009

Hey Tennis Friends!

It’s the fourth match for our team, and the third match of the season for Jaime and me. Our team is currently 2-1, and ranked roughly in the middle of a nine team field, so every game matters.

Jaime and I each play at least twice a week, with one of those times being a “team practice” where we actually play together against our fellow teammates.

In today’s match, we played against two members from the team that I was on earlier this year for Spring league. This made it another friendly, but competitive match, with a couple of jibes before we began . . .

Sometimes the communication does indeed fail. On the shot featured in the middle of the video, I had said to Jaime, “Yours!”, to which, I thought, I heard back a quick, “Thank you!”.
What Jaime actually said was, “Take it!”
As a result, we both yielded to the other, and the ball went right down the middle between us.

In another play near the end of the video, I had double faulted. Right away I had a quick meeting with my partner to talk it out, readjust my focus, and plan the next serve.

If you watch the video again, you will notice that most of the time, though, we are communicating well. Whether it’s helping each other watch the line calls, following the path of the ball and suggesting to “bounce it!”, or giving encouragement and praise, it is all a part of our teamwork!

Communication. It’s almost as important as matching outfits . . .

I’ll see you next time, with more tennis, . . . outside the lines!

– Marcus Tennis

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2009 USTA Adult Men (Fall) II

October 17th, 2009

Hey Tennis Friends!

Another 3.5 league match! Hopefully my tennis partner Jaime and I can get it all working together this time . . .

Just to clarify the matching outfits controversy: I was wearing a dark grey (which comes out as black on the video), in contrast to Jaime’s light grey, which I used to have a matching shirt for. It was my wardrobe malfunction.

Hopefully, for our next match, we’ll be able to get our team uniforms, . . . uh, . . . uniform.

I’ll see you next time, with more tennis, . . . outside the lines!

– Marcus Tennis

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2009 USTA Adult Men (Fall) I

October 10th, 2009

Hey Tennis Friends!

It’s the Fall League season and I’m on a 3.5 men’s team. It has been over a year since my longtime tennis partner, Jaime, and I have played together on a team. We’re really excited about tearing up the courts together again!

On my reports, I’m always trying different camera positions, to get the best possible angle for the gameplay segments. Sometimes, it doesn’t work out so well, depending on the available space, the court, and the sun. I think this is one of those times . . .

It is great to be back playing league tennis with my regular men’s partner, who also happens to be a great friend!
Unfortunately, though, our loss helped contribute to our team’s loss this round, as well.

I’ll see you next time, with more tennis, . . . outside the lines!

– Marcus Tennis

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Tennis Tip: Hydration

October 3rd, 2009

Hey Tennis Friends!

No matter whether it’s the hot summers, or the cold winters, it’s very important to stay hydrated out there on the courts!

Now, I’m not a doctor, or a trainer, but here’s some of my advice on drinking and playing:

I’ll see you next time, with more tennis, . . . outside the lines!

– Marcus Tennis

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