Last out of the club and return for the first match if the day! What could be better than that?
Neel is a very accomplished player for a 13 year old player. He has a strong wrist, smooth movement on court and a professional demeanour on court. The rallies were competitive but Nathan was not strong enough today to neutralize Neels efficiency. Nathan is now out of the tournament.
9:35 am Kellan O'Neill vs Liam Waterous 2-3
Liam Waterous and Kellan O'Neill played a hard fought match early in the morning. This was a battle between Liam's thunderous backhand and Kellan's sliding retrieval. The game plan was to take the sting out of Liam's shots by engaging him in long rallies (Always a good plan when you are fit). The plan was working except for the odd unforced error from Kellan. Otherwise good strong play form Kellan but not the result he wanted to have. Kellan is not out of the tournament.
Next Up:
3:05pm Matthew Henderson vs Adam Vanwyngaarden 3-0
Another day and another match to go. This time Matt is feeling better as his nose cold has cleared up allowing him to breath better. Adam beat Nicolas the day before but Matt was not going fall to the same fate. This straight forward match require Matt to take the ball in short after punish his opponent to the back of the court. Adam was unable to keep up with the pressure. Tomorrow morning Matt plays Hussam Hamour in the consolation Semi-Final.
5:30pm Grace Thomas vs Tara Shannon 0-3
Grace was on the bike, loosening up her legs, swinging her racquet before stepping onto the court for the Girls U 17 Semi-Final. During the warm-up Tara pounded the ball crisply cutting it into the corner of the court. During the first game Tara come out early but Grace fought back and evened up the game around 4 all. Thing went back and forth for the next 3 points to 7 All. After which Tara sprinted to the end of the game 11-7. In the 2 second game Grace found the back of the court on Tara’s Forehand side. She ripped the ball into the corner and grabbed herself an 8-4 lead. But to no avail as Tara fought back and levelling the game at 8 all, then finishing the game 11-8. In the third both players shared point but Tara maintained a 2 point lead. Tara worked up to 10-7 match ball. Grace needed to fight 3 match balls to have a chance to take the game to a 4th. she was able to fight the first 2 match balls but Tara found a winning ball low and fast out of grace’s reach on the back hand side. Match 3-0 for Tara. Tomorrow Grace will play Hanna Blatt for the 3/4 position.
After the matches it was time to eat! Have you heard of Frankie’s? Italian all you can eat buffet. Wednesday after practice, a couple of the kids ventured across the street to have lunch at Frankie’s. When they came back they were crazed with excitement. Raving about the Italian buffet. By Friday everyone at the tournament would look at each other, smile and we knew there would be a time to meet at Frankie’s. Where food is plentiful and everyone is smiles.
So what is so special about Frankie’s? I keep describing it as a place where buffet meets 5 star italian resort! As you walk down a narrow twisting italian designed street there are food stations to your left and right. People wander with plate in hand trying to decide what to eat next! There first station is the cold salads, directly opposite the garlic bread station (by far the best garlic bread), then pizza, dessert, gelato, chicken and beef, Pastas, and on down an italian street everyone filling their plate till it over flows.
When you walk out you of Frankie’s you have gone some where special and feel satisfied.
Thank you
Benjamin Uliana
