Seeds Fall on Day 3 of Nat'l Clay
Parity Reigns at USTA National Men's 45 Clay Court Championship
Results from third-round action and preview of round of 16 match-ups.
Wilder Meets Sauer in Round 4
As expected, No.1 seed Val Wilder of Forth Worth, TX eased into the round of 16, setting a world record for overheads hit in a two-set match. Okay, no one was counting, but Arup Dutta of Boynton Beach, FL threw up at least 100 lobs during his 3-6, 0-6 loss. Next up for Wilder is Bryan Sauer of Boothwyn, PA. who beat Selim Benbadis of Tampa, FL 6-4, 6-1. Sauer should give Wilder as challenging a match as he has had thus far, but Wilder should move through to the quarters.
Niles to Challenge Coulton
R. Thomas Coulton (9) of Hilton Head, SC, the lone remaining seed, besides Wilder, in the top quarter of the draw, should have a relatively easy path to Wilder in the quarters. Due to the withdrawal of Pablo Arraya (6) of Key Biscayne, Coulton has the unseeded T. A. Niles of Fort Myers in the round of 16. To challenge Coulton, Niles will have to play better than he has thus far, despite his 6-1, 6-3 win over Charles Johnson of West Palm Beach, FL, Coulton took care of Eric Ernstrom, 6-1, 6-2 in a match that was tougher than the score indicates.
Fedderly & Eagle , Match of the Day
The second quarter of the draw has perhaps the juiciest match-up, with Mike Fedderly (4) of Palm Desert, CA going up against the unseeded, but very dangerous, Charlton Eagle of Delray Beach, FL. Fedderly beat Keith Soanes of N. Miami, FL 6-1, 6-0, losing his first game of the tournament, and Eagle took out seasoned veteran Mike Curry of NY, NY, 6-3, 3-0 (ret). This is a pick ‘em match, and should be great tennis to watch.
Kraut Upsets Pilardi
As predicted, Oliver Kraut of Jacksonville Beach, FL upset William Pilardi (13) of McMurray, PA 6-3, 7-5 and faces Horacio Rearte (7) of Boca Raton, FL, who has lost only four games thus far. This ought to be another terrific match for the spectators, and I’m told that Rearte is an extremely talented player with a chance to win the Championship. The winner of that match will have his hands full with Fedderly or Eagle in the quarters.
Mendel Stops Fifth-Seed Caswell
In the third quarter of the draw, unseeded Ervin Mendel of Hollywood, FL beat another player into submission, only this time it was one of the favorites, Ned Caswell (5) of Chattanooga, TN. Caswell decided he had had enough after the first point of the first set tiebreak. Apparently an injury laid Caswell low. Next up for Mendel in the round of 16 is Steve Bucar of West Palm Beach, a 6-3, 6-0 winner over Eric Hoecker of N. Palm Beach, FL My handicapper Eric Ernstrom won’t pick a winner here, but don’t count out Florida’s reigning State Champion, Mendel.
Is Max King of Roses?
Max King, another unseeded sleeper, prevailed in a 3-6, 7-6, 4-3 (ret) struggle with Norm Schellenger (10) of Miami Beach, FL. King now has the opportunity to play the talented Michael Rose (3) of Ecorse, MI, who will likely represent the third quarter in the semifinals. Rose was a 6-2, 6-1 winner over Thomas Quesenbery, a strong player himself, from Fredericksburg, VA.
Cannon Closes out Hernandez
The fourth quarter sets up as the most competitive. Unseeded Al Cannon did pull off the upset over Al Hernandez (16) of Yardley, PA, as predicted by my handicapper, 6-0 in the third. Cannon is poised to pull off another upset against Jeff Clark (8) of Lancaster, PA, who battled for three hours in a 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 win over Greg Wheaton of Boca Raton, FL. Although my handicapper predicts the upset, look for Clark to pull out a close one.
Adams to Face Lefty Markes
Palmetto, Florida’s Egan Adams (2) looks focused and ready for a potentially tough match-up with Peter Markes (11) of Austin, TX, who struggled through a 6-2, 3-6, 6-0 victory over Bradley Watkins of Columbia, SC. Adams had little trouble, posting a 6-1, 6-3 win over Kim Forsythe of Frisco, TX. Adams should make it through to the semifinals.
Parity Produces Topnotch Tennis
As I’ve noted elsewhere, parity is the standard on the ATP and WTA Tours and it appears to be making inroads in the amateur ranks as well. Eight of the 16 seeds at this event have fallen before the round of 16, and two more have major obstacles in their next matches. All that means is that those who have the good fortune to watch will have a number of tough, competitive matches to enjoy at the Lauderdale Tennis Club.
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