I was stuck. Texas was leading 3-2 with Damico just gaining a split against Jamie Hunt and Sajous up a set, but on a roller coaster ride in the second. I needed to leave so I could get to New Braunfels for something I had to do for work. I turned off the computer and got into the car.
My stomach was a flitter and I was miserable, trying to concentrate on the road and hoping that someone would either call, text or twitter. About 10 minutes later, my wife, a sports enthsiast herself, called. To her it looked like Damico was on serve (she was a swimmer and has never really played too much tennis), but Sajous was up 6-5 and the other guy was serving at something like 15-30. Sajous could never get a match point and finally lost the game. As it went to a tiebreaker, I told my wife I couldn’t bare listening to a play-by-play of someone watching a computer screen for an entire tiebreaker. I asked her to call me back in about 5 minutes.
That was the longest five minutes I have spent in a long time. I tried to think positive thoughts, but knowing that the UT season rested in the hands of Damico and Sajous, I just wanted to pull over to the side of the road and throw up. No matter how I act, deep down, the fan in me was both exhuberant and a basketcase. Tie that in with the emotion that I count Jamie Hunt as a friend, I really didn’t want it to come down to that match.
My mantra was that Sajous had been the rock during the UVa comeback. His season had been so bad, but when the team needed it the most, he delivered. I also kept repeating that Damico had been money for the last few weeks. The rust had finally worn off the player we all knew was in there and he was fighting for everything.
When my wife finally called back, Sajous had won the tiebreaker and clinched the match. The man who appreared to daydream through the season had once again pulled out a HUGE match when the Longhorn season was on the line.
A started singing to the silly soccer chant (ole’, ole’, ole’, ole’, ole’, ole’) Sajous, Sajous, Sajous, Sajous, Sajous, Sajous… The Longhorns had clinched a spot in the Final 4 and were going to face the Trojans of USC.
NO WAY TEXAS WINS (This is reverse psychology at it’s best)
I am not real sure where UT can pick up wins tomorrow. USC is playing terrific tennis, as they have all season long. The Trojans will be favored in the doubles. Now if UT is going to win it, it will be at 2-3. UT should win at 3, but 2 is going to have to not give up the easy games they did early Saturday.
In the singles, USC has to be considered the favorite at 1-4. Farah, Johnson, Poldma and Magdas are all ranked a lot higher than their Texas counterparts. I think Zavala and Reyes Varela are tough against the bottom of any lineup.
Now if you are looking for laces to pick up points, I think it has to be 3-4 first. Damico has been on fire and willing to stay out there as long as it takes. He won’t waver against Poldma. Sajous has to be feeling the emotional high after today. He carried the weight of the team against Georgia’s lone senior leader. He goes out there tomorrow with all of the pressure on Magdas. Of course I think all of the matches can go either way, but those are the ones that stick out.
I remember a Texas team a few years ago that went up against a USC called the greatest of all-time. The Horns didn’t stand a chance. I sat there in the Rose Bowl as a witness as Texas and Vince Young came back to beat the Trojans that night in Pasadena. I hope they are watching that video tonight.
I hear a ton of fans are coming tomorrow from Austin, so the crowd should be pretty one-sided.
WEBSITE IMPROVEMENTS
I have to applaud Texas A&M for trying to resolve the team scoring issue mentioned previously. They have added the team scores above the individual scoring on the scoreboard so it is more evident. (This allows the scoreboards on site to show the team scoring too) It is also updating more often. They are trying, but I think the elements and the gremlins are against them this week.
UCLA MOVES ON, BAYLOR BIDS ADIOS
My pre-tournament pick, UCLA, snuck past Ole Miss, 4-3. Of course I had USC in the women’s draw. Baylor got abused by Ohio State. Of course Mueller and Lucaks were on course for winning (Mueller did).
RYAN HARRISON ALERT
I happened to run into Ryan Harrison today. I know this has nothing to do with college tennis, but hey, I am entitled. He came to Texas for a few days to get his driver’s license and clean up a few things in their house before going back to Florida. Harrison, who beat Taylor Dent last week, looked great and said he’s as healthy as ever. He is playing a Challenger in Cali week after next.
