2009 ATP Tennis Tour [Winner: ga7]

[flexmaster33]

Week 9 is out and the World Championship bracket (best of 5 sets) and championship qualifying stepladder (best of 3 sets) have been posted at the top of the opening thread.

[PabloDejaunopi]

I've been waiting for two days for Frito Bandito to join the cold war classic games...I sent him a pm. No response. How long do we wait before he forfits?

[Frito Bandito]

I didn't receive anything until today. Sorry for any delay.
I have been laboring with my home computer being in the shop.

[PabloDejaunopi]

I didn't receive anything until today. Sorry for any delay.
I have been laboring with my home computer being in the shop.

No problem I just thought you were going to be a no show...glad you made it!

[NotNowKato]

NotNowKato wins in straight sets in the San Quentin Classic round 1 against vykinsfan64

[flexmaster33]

Highlander beats me in straight sets to take Wimbledon and climb to No. 3 on the latest rankings.

Brackets have been updated as of Friday morning, and I'm hoping to get the US Open (final regular season tourney) out by the end of the weekend.

Good luck all

[Frito Bandito]

In the Cold war final, Frito Bandito has a major meltdown. At one point he double faults five point in a row. After throwing a tantrum he meekly submits to Danryan.

[flexmaster33]

I've won the Union Pacific Open...yeah me!!!

Updated money list is now up, and I'm putting together the US Open bracket...first-round matches will go out tonight...last chance to make a big leap before qualifying begins for our World Championship event.

Also, it was requested to post a list of all of the season's tourney winners, so you can find that underneath the World Championship bracket on the top post in the thread.

[flexmaster33]

US Open bracket is now updated...still a couple minor tourneys finalizing from Week 9...danryan wins the Castledom tournament (Feudal) for his second title of the season.

I anticipate World Championship qualifying will start this week...I'll make the matches once players are locked into their spots.

[plash.ricrem]

CCN caught up to Plash Ricrem in the Hong Kong airport bar pounding back sake while awaiting his flight to NYC for the US Open. Following his tough 3 set semifinal loss to #1 seed Dbandit in Hong Kong, RIcrem was visibly upset (and quite possibly a bit drunk) as he addressed our reporter:

CCN: Thoughts on your recent solid play (making your first semi of the season in ages in Hong Kong, advancing to the 2nd round of the US open)?

PR: Well I'd like to think I'm playing some of my best tennis of the year when it counts the most, but it's quite frustrating when I leave money on the court like in tonight's match.

CCN: Are you nervous that you might fall just short of making the top 12 and an autobirth into the world championship?
PR: Yes, I know I'm right on the cusp of an auto birth, which makes me feel that I've got to fight tooth and nail for every set. Sometimes though, things just don't happen the way you plan.

CCN: Thoughts on coming up just short against Dbandit in such a tight match?
PR: He's as good as advertised, I was just left kicking myself at not finishing off my chance for the win. At first I was worried I was going to get rolled and get swept (things looked good early for him when I started off sluggishly in all 3 sets). But then things picked up in the first set when I was able to hold his first barrage (think I had a mixed to break a bonus) and then he double faulted away a service game (empty trip) which turned the momentum in my favor.

The second set was a similar affair where he seemingly pulled ahead early, but I dug in and was able to use my serve (some more solid sets) to slowly gain control. I really thought I was in good shape when he lost control of his serve (had a pretty bad turn off a cash). Yet he was able to hang around and force a second set tiebreak where things appeared to get interesting (he consolidated a vast amount of his remaining forces on a single territory.). After a bit of back and forth (and a mixed set) I decided it was time to push my advantage knowing my stamina was starting to drain (and that I would lose if we went to a 3rd set/ fog game). So there I was, up 5-1 in the tiebreak, pretty much serving for the match....

And I foot faulted into a double fault. Twice. Luckily I didn't go Serena on anyone. (was 26-16 attacking, not only lost, but was left with 3 v. 9). The crowd was stunned, I was stunned, I'm pretty sure Dbandit was stunned. And it was all over from that moment. The tennis balls started talking to me, and I lost my serve entirely (2 empty trips on the next two turns that didn't help matters.)

The third set was really no contest. I mean I tried to put a fight, but I knew I was screwed.

CCN: Any last thoughts as you head to NY for the last chance to earn some big bucks before the world championships?
PR: I love NYC. The US open is my favorite of the grand slams, I'm really hoping I can make a deep run and solidify a world championship spot without having to try my hand at qualifying. Now if you wouldn't mind I'd like to have some more sake before my flight leaves.

[flexmaster33]

No. 32 Cletus has pulled off a major upset in the first round of the US Open, taking down top seeded DBandit 1-6, 6-4, 7-5 with a back-and-forth third set on the USA map.

The win vaults Cletus up five spots on the money list with more $$$ to be made.

Meanwhile, DBandit70 tries to protect his top position while battling for big $$$ in the Hong Kong finals.

Bracket updates and $$ list updates coming tonight.

[flexmaster33]

The $$$ list has been updated...blue #s show players that are frozen and cannot earn any more money before qualifiers.

We still have the Hong Kong and San Quentin finals going, while the US Open is moving most into its second round. Qualifiers will go out as soon as those matchups become available.

Look for updated brackets late tonight.

[flexmaster33]

US Open bracket is updated...big $$$ matches coming up soon

DBandit70 wins the Hong Kong title for his third tourney win of the season.

[cletus]

I won against #17 danryan in R2 US Open

[flexmaster33]

$$ list and US Open bracket have been updated...my computer is in the hands of office geeks (techs) for the next few days, so no more updates until Wednesday night (late)

[flexmaster33]

US Open is moving into the quarterfinal rounds, which means the World Championship qualifier spots are filling up...look for those matches to start going out by the weekend.

[flexmaster33]

The first batch of World Qualifying matches have been sent out...the 72-hour forfeit rule will be strictly enforced at this point, so let me know if you are heading out of town and such. Good luck, as we head into the do-or-die part of the tourney.

[flexmaster33]

US Open is wrapping up it's final matches, and World qualifying has started with early wins by #32 coacheberhardt and #26 gambler21210

[flexmaster33]

Brackets updated through Friday night...only a few matches left in the US Open...which means World Championship qualifying has advanced into stage 2 with all matches sent out...also spots #10-#12 in the finals bracket have been decided.

[flexmaster33]

I'll update brackets again at some point Monday when I'm guessing more matches will be completed...

Just a quick note to congratulate #32 ranked coacheberhardt on his pair of qualifying wins...he now faces #20 PabloDeJuanopi to decide who emerges from the Pod D qualifier.

So how important was the regular season?
#12 danfrank gained the final automatic bid into the World Championship by a $400 margin over #13 WPBRJ, who was just upset by eberhardt in the qualifiers. So, it looks like every single set during the year was key.

[flexmaster33]

Still waiting on some final matches in the US Open...once those finish we'll be able to fill out the rest of the World Championship lineup.

In qualifying, #15 shoop76 came through the draw in pod B and is the first qualifier to reach the championship event. Congrats.

[flexmaster33]

World Championship qualifying is complete...congrats to #24 GreenBaize, #15 shoop76, #19 sportsgod24 and #32 coacheberhardt for making it to the main draw.

Still waiting on a couple US Open matches to wrap up before we can finish out the seeds.

[ga7]

Time for the US Open finals

[flexmaster33]

The World Championship tournament has started...three of the eight first-round matches are still waiting for seeding (US Open final to declare a winner).

Here are a few highlights heading into the finale...
DBandit70 claimed the No. 1 seed after riding atop the money list for most of the season...he finished with $664,850, won three tournaments and compiled a 20-7 (.741) record.

Ga7 enters the tournament with the best win-loss mark at 20-6 (.769) and could add another victory in the US Open final. He also won three regular-season tourneys, but a slow start meant some of those victories came in the lower-priced satellite events.

HighlanderAttack claimed the No. 4 seed despite just a 12-11 (.522) winning percentage. But he has shown a knack for advancing in the grand slams and should be a top contender in the big tournament.

Coacheberhardt finished at the bottom of the money list with only three regular-season wins, but managed to go 3-0 in qualifying to gain a spot in the finals.

Out of the 16 finalists....10 of us (yes, I'm in...lol) have won at least one tournament this season, so it should be a thrilling finish.

Thanks to all who played the season...I'll be taking a break for awhile, but will probably put some more things together next summer. This one was a blast for me, and a large part of that is good play from those who have joined

[flexmaster33]

All World Championship first round matches have now been sent out...congrats to b00060 for winning the US Open.

Also, the final rankings list has been posted, along with the final tourney winners list.

good luck all as we head into the five-setters...I know I'm already in for a long battle with negoeien.