Quarters Set at Nat'l Clay Courts
Val Wilder & Mike Rose Top Remaining Seeds
Recap of the round of 16 and preview of the quarterfinals.
Egan Adams Surprised
The quarterfinals of the USTA National Men’s 45 Clay Court Championship are set, and as could be expected in a draw this deep, there are a few surprises. The biggest surprise thus far is the exit of No.2 seed Egan Adams of Palmetto, FL to Austin, TX’s Peter Markes (11) in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5.
Peter Markes Shows Stout Heart
Perhaps more surprising than Adams’ exit was the way it transpired. After losing the first set, Markes went up 5-2 before Adams staged a comeback. Adams served at 5-5, 40-15, and everyone watching anticipated the third set. Despite double-faulting on the first point at 6-5, Markes showed his mental toughness and closed it out.
Fitness a Factor
Fitness has proven to be a major influence on the draw. Unseeded Charlton Eagle of Delray saw his second opponent in a row withdraw due to injury. No.4 seed Mike Fedderly pulled up with a back injury at 4-3 in the first set, allowing Eagle to move on. Unseeded South Carolinian Al Cannon’s fitness has allowed him to win three three-setters in a row, taking out his second consecutive seed, Jeff Clark, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2.
Al Cannon & Markes on Tap
Cannon will face his third seed in a row tomorrow in Peter Markes. Markes’ big lefty serve and all-court game could prove problematic for Cannon’s steady baseline game, but given Cannon’s performance thus far, counting him out would be a mistake.
Michael Rose Still Smelling Great
Michael Rose (3) of Ecorse, MI has had things his own way, losing less than four games per match through three matches. He faces an unseeded, but gritty, competitor in Stephen Bucar of West Palm Beach, FL. Bucar edged Florida’s State Champion, Ervin Mendel, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4, and appears to be on top of his game. However, as previously suggested, Rose should move through to the semis.
Marquee match-up: Horacio Rearte & Charlton Eagle
Of the four match-ups, the battle of dark-horses, No.7 seed Horacio Rearte (two-time USTA Open Clay Court Champion) and the ever dangerous Charlton Eagle, promises to be the marquee battle. Rearte has yet to face a challenge, losing only five games in three matches, and Eagle has won his three matches without dropping a set. Those in the know give Rearte the nod.
WIlder a Winner but not 100%
The winner of that match will likely face No.1 seed Val Wilder of Fort Worth, TX. Wilder lost just two games in his fourth-round match with Bryan Sauer of Boothwyn, PA, but an ice pack on his knee might suggest that he is less than 100%. But then again, who is 100% in senior tennis.
R. Tom Coulton to Face No.1 Seed
In any event, Wilder plays No.9 seed R. Tom Coulton of Hilton Head,SC, whose game is all about hitting a ton of balls with a ton of topspin. Coulton had little trouble moving past T. A. Niles of Fort Myers, 6-2, 6-1, but Wilder should be able to neutralize the topspin and overpower Coulton.
Good Tennis on Tap
Regardless of the outcomes of tomorrow’s matches, the semifinals are shaping up to be superb contests. As they ought to be as we round into summer, things are heating up nicely at the Lauderdale Tennis Club.
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