It has been a busy week already and things are not about to let up. As I overheard someone was trying to explain to another person, if you like college tennis, tomorrow is like the Super Bowl and March Madness all in one. You have 16 teams playing eight matches, all in one day.
And sick a fan as I am, I won’t be there. It is unreal and I can hardly believe it myself, but real work beckons and I will not be able to make it. As it stands right now, I won’t even get to follow any of the teams from Texas much online, as I have committments at each of those times. The more I think about it, the more I want to cry.
I will definitely be there Friday morning, as well as Saturday and Monday. Sunday is out because of work again and beyond that, I am not sure.
LAST WEEK RECAP
On the men’s side, I think the ACC really pointed out it was a little underrated with Wake Forest and Miami pulling off the ‘upsets’ and reaching the Sweet 16. I am also happy for Boise State. I have always like their team.
A little of the luster of the SEC was worn away. Yes, they were all really good, but maybe their rankings are a bit inflated from playing each other and having 10 built in top-25 team on your schedule. I think Michigan reprised themselves from what was a little bit of a disappointment of a season and the future looks good for them.
ITF AND UIL
There’s a grade four ITF going on in Waco if you have a break in the action and want to get away. Texans Shane Vinsant, Dane Webb and Blair Shankle are still in the main draw and playing good tennis these days. Host Site.
The UIL also completed their state championships on Tuesday. UT-signee Ben Chen captured the Class 5A singles title, while Lilly Kimbell (who is only a junior) won her third-straight title, this time in the 5A girls’ singles. Complete results
THE TEXAS THREE STEP
The more I think about it, the more I reall think Texas has a better shot than I thought last week. For one, the SEC wasn’t that impressive overall and Texas played its best tennis of the year last weekend. Texas should be the favorite and #3 dubs and the dog at #2. Line 1 could decide it.
In singles, I know think Texas is the favorite at lines 3, 5 and 6 if Sajous is in. They are the underdog at 1 and 2, but #1 is very winable (match of the day #1 alert!) when Kutrovsky faces John-Patrick Smith. Line #4 will be interesting and I am just not sure what to say. I may have to lean towards Sajous, who seems to have caught a little fire and shaved his head this past weekend. Therefore, if people do what they are supposed to, this comes down to #1 dubs and #4 singles.
The Aggies have their hands full with Ole Miss in the evening match, but with what should be a very excited crowd, I expect a noble fight.
The most interesting match-up of the night will be at #2, where (match of the Day alert #2!) Austin Krajicek will play Devin Britton-Berg. Krajicek has been virtually unbeatable this spring. Britton-Berg is no slouch himself, but I give Krajicek the edge. Does Chadwick slip and speak Swedish to Britton every once in awhile just because he’s speaking it on every other court? I can just see him slipping into a little, “Vi behöver den här matchen” to his homeboy!
If we are going to break this down all the way, I give Ole Miss the doubles point, although line #1 will be a great match. They are really good and the Aggies have not been real consistent there to say the least.
In singles I give the edge to A&M at #1 and #2. I give Ole Miss the edge at #5 and #6. That means for TAMU to win, they need both #3 (definitely winable) and #4. Now if they somehow the Ags can get the dub point, I like their chances.
The Baylor Bears got a break when Wake Forest upset Kentucky, or did they? I thought all along that WF was one of those teams that was on a bit of a hot streak and playing well, while UK had lost something like 6 of their last 11 before the tournament.
Another big one (match of the day alert!) is line #1 where Denes Lukacs will face Cory Parr. Both players are playing well. Wake is strong at 1-3, but so is Baylor. The problem is Baylor is extremely tough at 4-6 and I just don’t see Wake breaking though there.
I would get into the other matches, but it would just make me cry.
USTA TO ANNOUNCE NEW REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER TOMORROW
I understand that Jose Higueras and friends at the USTA will be announcing a new regional training center in Texas during a press conference tomorrow in Austin. It is all part of P-Macs initiatives. Wait and see.
