Man, this was a long day of tennis. I sat here and watched scores update on my laptop and I’m pretty exhausted. Kudos to everyone out there actually playing. I’m gonna stick to just previewing the day 3 matches because I will hopefully do a recap of the entire tournament later.
3rd/4th Place Match: Johns Hopkins vs. Sewanee
#1 Doubles: Rao/Barthelmass vs. Liles/ Davila
I said in my preview yesterday that #1 doubles was maybe the only spot Sewanee was favored against Pomona. That wasn’t meant to be an attack on Sewanee’s team. It’s ore that I am just very very impressed by this team. I’m pretty sure their only loss of the year was against Emory in the fall and they’ve already gotten revenge there. Meanwhile Rao and Barthelmass are a tiebreak away from being 2-0 this tournament. Both of these teams are good, but I’m going with the hotter hand. 8-6 Sewanee.
#2 Doubles: Kasten/Chen vs. McCaghren/Tucker
Both of these teams have struggled this tournament, but I think Hopkins’ team is a little better here. Sewanee isn’t quite deep enough for me to have a ton of faith in a team of two doubles specialists and I think Kasten and Chen are overdue for a win after 9-7 and 9-8 losses. 8-5 Hopkins.
#3 Doubles: Austi/Law vs. Veron/ Crumbliss
On paper this Hopkins team should be money at 3; Law especially has been playing some good tennis, but something hasn’t quite clicked. Meanwhile Veron and Crumbliss got a close win against MIT and then hung with a good Pomona team. I think this could go either way, but I’m taking Sewanee 9-7.
#1 Singles: Rao vs. Liles
Both of these girls found their form a little today. I think Rao’s best is a little better than Liles’. Especially indoors, if she’s hitting her forehand. I’ve got Hopkins 6-3 6-4.
#2 Singles: Chen vs. Davila
Davila has been crushing it at #1 doubles, but unfortunately I think she is more of a doubles player than singles. I think Chen steps up and takes court without too much trouble. Hopkins 6-3 6-2
#3 Singles: Law vs. merchant
The Blue Jays have to be pretty happy with how Law has performed so far. Yes, she lost yesterday, but it was in a third set tiebreak to (I think) one of the better threes in the country. The only way I see Law losing this match is if she’s completely dead from yesterday. Hopkins 6-4 6-2
#4 Singles: Austi vs. Childress
Two years ago Austi had a pretty successful season at 1 so one would think she’d be dominant at 4. While dominant may not be the word I would use to describe her at this point, I still think she’s good enough to win this match. Hopkins 7-5 6-2.
#5 Singles: Vohra vs. Crumbliss
If I’m not mistaken (I’m not, I checked) I picked Crumbliss to be the girl to step up for Sewanee this year. I’m not going away from that prediction. It’s probably not smart to pick against the girl with two easy straight set victories, but I’m doing it anyway. Sewanee 7-6 6-4.
#6 Singles: Greydak vs. Veron
Veron didn’t play yesterday, but I think she’ll be back in there today. I also think it won’t matter. Greydak has looked dominant at the bottom of the lineup for Hopkins. Hopkins 6-3 6-1.
If you’ve been keeping track I have Hopkins winning 6-3. I think Sewanee will come out with a lot of energy in doubles, but as soon as singles starts Hopkins will take control of the match and never look back.
Championship Match: Carnegie Mellon vs. Pomona-Pitzer
#1 Doubles: Sidell/Makino vs. Zhao/E. Chen
This is close to a toss-up for me. Neither of these teams feels like a true #1. I think Zhao and Chen are playing a little bit better right now. PP 8-6.
#2 Doubles: Vizelman/Tsu vs. Yen/Casper
I have been very impressed with Casper this tournament. She has been great for the Sagehens. I think this Carnegie team is better though; they have been more tested having to beat Hopkins. Carnegie 8-5.
#3 Doubles: Torres/Hamstra vs. Joy/A. Chen
This Carnegie team has quietly been racking up wins this weekend, but I think having Kim at 3 doubles is almost unfair. Her and Chen have looked great and there’s no way I bet against them. PP 8-4.
#1 Singles: Tsu vs. Kim
Kim has clearly struggled so far in singles, but Tsu is coming off two straight three setters. This match is gonna come down to who wants it more. I think Tsu pulls through. Carnegie 6-4 6-3
#2 Singles: Torres vs. Casper
Everyone has heard how high I am on Casper, but meanwhile Torres is putting together a really good tournament. Neither of these girls has lost so I’m gonna go with my gut and pick Casper. I think this match could decide the whole thing though. PP 4-6 6-3 7-5
#3 Singles: Sidell vs.Zhao
Sidell had a great fall and is backing it up with some quality tennis to start the spring. I’m gonna keep going with the hot hand. Carnegie 6-3 6-4.
#4 Singles: Vizelman vs. Doraiswami
Another matchup where neither girl has lost. I guess this should happen since it’s the finals. I’m gonna take Doraiswami mainly because she has more big match experience. This is another swing match though. PP 6-2 3-6 6-3.
#5 Singles: Makino vs. Coyiuto
Makino has really struggled so far this tournament and Coyiuto has done the opposite of that. She is 2-0 this tournament, including a comeback win against Sewanee’s toughest spot after the match had been decided. I love that kind of fight. PP 6-2 6-3
#6 Singles: Lai vs. Chen
Carnegie has surprisingly had troubles with depth so far this year and I think Pomona will take advantage. On top of that, I think Chen will move up in the lineup before the year is over. This spot looks like the biggest mismatch to me. PP 6-4 6-1.
That brings us to a 6-3 Pomona win. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it was 5-4 though, depending on how doubles goes and how 2 and 4 singles turn out. Those are my courts to watch; whoever takes them should leave with the trophy.