Happy Indoors finals, boys and girls. Another day, another fantastic set of matches in St. Peter. CMS withstood a challenge from Wash U to advance to the finals, but both teams looked pretty good. You may not remember that match because afterwards we were lucky enough to get another 5-4 epic. Emory outlasted Chicago on the back of freshman wunderkid Hayden Cassone who took down fellow diaper dandy Jeremy Yuan 6-4 in the 3rd set to send the Eagles back to the finals. That leaves us with CMS vs. Emory for the title, and Wash U vs Chicago for the 3rd place match. GAC looks to be well on their way to closing out CMU and taking on Redlands for 5th, but we’ll cover that more in our extensive tournament recap. Wash U and Chicago has developed into a nice little rivalry over the past couple years, and they will likely play again this year, possibly even multiple times as two of the projected top three teams in the UAA. Emory came into the tournament as the favorite, and while they have shown little but gritty resolve, they have also shown some vulnerability. In a post-match interview after his team’s 5-4 QF win over GAC, Coach Browning said that his team “should have lost.” I wonder if he felt the same way today. CMS on the other hand has performed quite well considering Coach Settles said in his podcast with AVZ that his team would not have hit a ball indoors before their arrival on Thursday night. No matter what happens in the finals, both CMS and Emory have established themselves as NCAA title contenders. Emory won the last time these two teams played, and yes that match was also played indoors. That match may or may not have been for the 2017 NCAA title. While CMS has a lot of new starters this year, don’t think for a second that this match doesn’t have added importance to Parodi, Park, Gordy, Berber, Vemuri, and whether or not he’ll admit it, Coach Settles. Will Sunday bring sweet Stag revenge, or will the champs defend?
1ST PLACE MATCH: No. 1 EMORY vs No. 2 CMS
#1 doubles: Spaulding/Rubinstein (EU) vs Gordy/Parodi (CMS)
AS: Spaulding and Rubinstein showed up today in classic Emory fashion. These guys come up big when it counts and here’s another big one. I’ve been burned many a time by going against this duo, and honestly I think all their experience will be a big factor here. Emory 8-6
NE: One of the easier matches to predict on paper, so I’ll probably be very wrong. The Experienced EU team has played well this tournament, while the Stags top pair looked very beatable earlier today against Wash U. Both Spaulding and Gordy should be very fresh for this one as they have only played doubles so far this weekend. EU 8-6.
#2 doubles: Bouchet/Renke (EU) vs Burney/Katzman (CMS)
AS: Bouchet and Renke are on their second year together and are becoming a real force at #2 doubles. They run into one of the best teams in this tournament in Burney/Katz who absolutely steamrolled Wash U today. Burney has been the truth in doubles but its hard to go against the big shots of the Emory duo. I’ll probably be wrong. CMS 9-8
NE: Excellent matchup here. Neither doubles team has lost yet, and wow did both have really solid wins this morning. Both Bouchet and Burney are looking to get back on the winning side after tough singles losses today. Renke is the doubles specialist here, but I think the Stag duo keeps on clicking. CMS 9-7.
#3 doubles: Cassone/Jemison (EU) vs Berber/Park (CMS)
AS: Cassone and Jemison have not really found their groove yet as a #3 team, which isn’t the most surprising given their game styles. They have to find a way to really feel comfortable at the net before they can become the beast of a team they could and should be. Berber and Park are already there and I’ll have to take them in this one. CMS 8-5.
NE: While #2 could be considered a swing match, #3 presents another possibility. The duo of Cassone/Jemison should be almost an unfair #3 team, yet they have seen some struggles this weekend. On the other side, Berber and Park have been terrific. If JJ and Cassone are playing well, they will be nearly impossible to beat, but I have to go with the CMS team until I see otherwise. CMS 8-5.
#1 singles: Jonathan Jemison (EU) vs Nikolai Parodi (CMS)
AS: One of my surprises of today’s matches was that Wu gave Parodi a real tough time. Meanwhile, Jemison made quick work of Chua in his semifinal and should be well-rested for his match tomorrow. I don’t think Parodi has gotten up to speed yet this year and that’s going to be the difference here. Emory 7-5, 6-4.
NE: Another stellar matchup here. Both players are in the conversation for best player in the country (along with a number of other players in this tournament). They are similar players who can hit the smack out of the ball and also grind when necessary. That being said, Parodi has done it a little bit better than Jemison so far this weekend. Backwards hat defeats headband. CMS 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
#2 singles: Alec Josepher (EU) vs Jack Katzman (CMS)
AS: This is probably going to be a bit of a blowout here unless we see a totally different Josepher that we’ve seen these past couple of days. Katzman is the favorite here. CMS 6-2, 6-4.
NE: Nothing to see here folks. Katzman has shown why many considered him the best freshman in the country, while Josepher has been outmatched at #2 so far this weekend. CMS 6-1, 6-3.
#3 singles: Adrien Bouchet (EU) vs Oscar Burney (CMS)
AS: Both these guys have had rough tournaments in singles despite a lot of hype going into it. I still believe in both but the fact of the matter is Bouchet has been here before. Burney deserves to be commended on the doubles court, but Bouchet is the guy in singles. He won’t leave Indoors without a singles win. Emory 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
NE: Big matchup here. As I said in the doubles, both Burney and Bouchet lost today in tough matches. According to my predictions, this is a match that Emory probably needs to win if they are going to win the match. Bouchet has been a little underwhelming so far this weekend after crushing it all of last year, so I’m going with Burney. CMS 6-3, 3-6, 10-5.
#4 singles: Hayden Cassone (EU) vs Daniel Park (CMS)
AS: In a normal match I’d pick Cassone here, but the fact of the matter is he’s been in two three setters this weekend and is going to be battling against Park. Park has had it easy this weekend and those fresh legs will come in handy in a tight one. CMS 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.
NE: Cassone has been the man this weekend, winning two matches that his team needed to advance to the finals, including the last match on today against Yuan and Chicago. Park was also impressive today, rolling past Daniel Li. There will be some big ball striking here, but given Cassone’s GIANT COJONES I think he takes another win. Emory 7-6, 6-3.
#5 singles: Andrew Harrington (EU) vs Matthew Jacobs (CMS)
AS: Don’t call it a comeback. Andrew Harrington is on fire and he isn’t looking back. We were surprised that he was back and he’s making us look like fools. Take Harrington. Emory 6-4, 6-3.
NE: Harrington just keeps on winning, which is really impressive against this level of competition. Jacobs has been playing well, but was taken down by Neves earlier today. Both guys only play singles so both should be fresh enough if we get into a long match. Harrington hasn’t lost, so I can’t pick against him. Emory 7-5, 6-4.
#6 singles: Scott Rubinstein (EU) vs Avinash Vemuri (CMS)
AS: Don’t be shocked if Browning pulls Rubinstein here as he’s has a rough singles weekend, and he’s going to need some magic here to come close to the so far untouchable Vemuri. If Serituk comes in here this might get interesting, but I don’t know what’s going to happen so I’ll assume all stays the same. CMS 6-1, 6-3.
NE: It’s kind of funny, Vemuri wasn’t in the lineup before this tournament, but he’s looked phenomenal so far. Scott had the misfortune of going up against Charlie Pei at #6 today, but at least it was a shorter match/easier on his legs than his match against GAC. Vemuri came into the weekend on to chew bubblegum and kick ass. Unluckily for Rubinstein, Avi is all out of bubblegum. CMS 6-2, 6-3.
PREDICTIONS:
AS: CMS def. Emory 5-4
NE: CMS def. Emory 6-3
NewD3Central: CMS def. Emory 5-3
3RD PLACE MATCH: No. 3 WASH U vs No. 4 CHICAGO
#1 doubles: Kozlowski/Li (Wash U) vs Chua/Kumar (Chicago)
NewCentral: You’d expect Chua & Kumar to clean it up and bring their A-game after two disappointing performances to start Indoors. However, even if Chua & Kumar are firing on all cylinders I don’t think that they’re the combination that will beat Kozlowski & Li tomorrow. Kozlowski & Li are hot right now; they’ve won their first two matches and their going for fire. Wash U gets a good start with a win at the top. Wash U: 8-4
NE: A good matchup here, but Koz and Li might be the best #1 team at Indoors (perhaps behind Alhouni/Whaling). Chua and Kumar’s pink sleeve should give a good match, but too tough to pick against the top Bear pair. Wash U 8-5.
#2 doubles: Neves/Wu (Wash U) vs Raclin/Yuan (Chicago)
NewCentral: Neves & Wu ran into the buzzsaw that was Burney & Katzman today. I don’t think that their luck changes. I believe that Raclin & Yuan will bounce back from their loss (Yuan’s singles one especially) and play like the All-Americans they are. Chicago: 8-3
NE: Raclin looked somewhat pedestrian today, and that won’t fly against Neves and Wu. Even though Yuan has played the most tennis on the court, the Wash U team should be a bit more fatigued. Look for Chicago’s All-American to carry his team to a big win. Chicago 8-6.
#3 doubles: Kroot/van der Sman (Wash U) vs Kerrigan/Sharma (Chicago)
NewCentral: Kroot and van der Sman are having good tournaments, Kroot especially. Kerrigan & Sharma shook off their first round jitters and kept Chicago in the match against Emory – almost spurring an amazing comeback (Indoors has already produced some of the best matches of the year – lukewarm take). I think that this match will set the tone going into singles, and that Kerrigan will take over the net giving Chicago a 2-1 led going into singles. Chicago: 9-8(4)
NE: DOUBLES SWING MATCH! Both of these are really good #3 teams. The Chicago team was up 6-1 in about 10 minutes earlier today against a very talented Emory team, but we all know just how good a doubles player J.J can be. This is the match I’m least sure about, and if you look down the rest of my preview it is also one that might decide the outcome of the match. Wash U 9-8(4).
#1 singles: Johnny Wu (Wash U) vs Nicolas Chua (Chicago)
NewCentral: Chua is having an Indoors to forget right now, and unfortunately for the Southside Backhander it won’t be getting any better. While this match has all the makings of a classic – opposing styles, postseason implications: team and individual, and a historic rivalry – I think that it will be going the Bear’s way. Johhny Wu’s footwork can most aptly be described as “excessive” but boy does it work; Wu is one of the toughest people to hit a winner past in the region. He pushed Parodi today, and I think that he’ll be one ball better than Chua tomorrow and bests him in a barnburner. Wash U: 7-5, 1-6, 6-3
NE: Chua hasn’t been at his best so far this weekend. Imagine the worst possible opponent when you’ve hit a bit of a rough patch. Now double that and you have Johnny Wu. These two have played each other plenty over the years, and I think we have another classic brewing. Wash U 4-6, 7-6, 6-3.
#2 singles: Ben van der Sman (Wash U) vs Luke Tsai (Chicago)
NewCentral: van der Sman lost a battle today, but he fought valiantly and should be commended for his knightly efforts…unfortunately he gets Luke Tsai – a man with many titles: “Giantkiller”, “Tsaiwalker”, “Baby-Faced Assassin”, “Woah…dem calves are huge”, and “stopdropvolleyingme ..bruh”. I think that Tsai, who plays similarly to Katzman, will outfox the freshmen giving him both an L but also valuable UAA experience. van der Sman’s best chance is to have a DAY striking the ball and is able to hit Tsai off the court. Tsai wins this 7/10 times and we’re likely in one of those seven universes. Chicago: 7-5, 7-6(2)
NE: I watched some of van der Sman earlier today, and he looked really good even in defeat. However his opponent hasn’t lost yet this year. Before this weekend, I would have told you Tsai was best suited to play at #4 or even #5, but he has come out and won a couple BIG matches all the way up at #2, including a 3-setter against Josepher today to keep his team in the match. I saw the Tsain, and it opened up my mind. Chicago 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.
#3 singles: J.J. Kroot (Wash U) vs Erik Kerrigan (Chicago)
NewCentral: Two of the most important players for their respective teams: singles and doubles. They’ll be used to each other’s games after battling it out in doubles earlier in the day, and I think that the experience returning the other’s serve will show with tight games to start the set. I reckon that Kerrigan will benefit greatly from seeing Kroot’s serve in doubles, and should be in every return game from the get-go. Kroot played outstandingly in his defeat of Oscar Burney, and despite the hot hands – I’m going to give this one to the the more proven player. Chicago: 6-4, 6-4
NE: Kerrigan didn’t play his best tennis on Friday, but he came up big today. He was down 5-2 in the 1st set against Bouchet, and he came back to win the next five games and the set. He was really fired up during the match, but Wash U might be the team that best “blocks out that noise.” Kroot is also more than capable of making some noise of his own. He looked great today against Burney, and I think he gets the better of Kerrigan. Wash U 6-3, 7-6.
#4 singles: Daniel Li (Wash U) vs Jeremy Yuan (Chicago)
NewCentral: Yuan showed a tremendous amount of heart today, while Li didn’t get to show us much in the Battle of the Daniels. Something to keep an eye on is that this will be Yuan’s sixth match on the weekend, so Li could outlast his hard-hitting opponent. While fatigue will be a headline here, I think that Coach Tee has prepared his players for the long haul and Yuan wins this in a match that ends closer than it should be. Chicago: 2-6, 6-1, 10-6
NE: Yuan has played SO MUCH tennis for a freshman playing his first team tournament. Tough doubles matches and tough singles matches so far, including the last match on against Emory and Cassone earlier today. Li played a quick match earlier today, but not by choice. I’ve said this to the other bloggers, but the two shots that have impressed me most this weekend have been Cassone’s forehand and Yuan’s backhand. Gimme dat backhand. Chicago 6-4, 6-3.
#5 singles: Bernardo Neves (Wash U) vs Alejandro Rodriguez (Chicago)
NewCentral: Rodriguez and Neves have both been absolute warriors this weekend, and I think that this is a true coinflip match. They have similar strengths, and as a result have similar games built around that strength (FOREHAND). I think that this match will last the longest, and we can preemptively thank Gustavus for providing a facility with six courts because this match may never end. Flipped a coin. Wash U: 7-6(10), 4-6, 6-4
NE: A-Rod has played a couple long matches even if his loss to Harrington was straight sets today. Neves has also played some long matches, but Nard-Dog has done what’s necessary when it mattered most, winning both his singles matches in 3 sets. I see no reason why that won’t continue. Wash U 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.
#6 singles: Koki Tokabatake/Mark Wu (Wash U) vs Charlie Pei (Chicago)
NewCentral: If you want to show someone what depth looks like, you’d show them Charlie Pei at six singles. It doesn’t really matter who Wash U puts out here, it’s an Everest-esque hill to climb. This is unfair. And they don’t even have D Liu back! Chicago: 6-1, 6-3
NE: I put both Koki and Mark Wu in this matchup because both have played for the Bears this weekend. Koki took care of business against Redlands, while Mark fell in straight sets to Vemuri. I agree with NewCentral, Pei is likely the strongest #6 in the entire country. Chicago 6-4, 6-1.
PREDICTIONS:
NewCentral: Chicago def. Wash U 6-3
NE: Wash U def. Chicago 5-4