Familiar Old Faces Triumphant Again
Well, the 2013 Masters of Grass was a tremendous success again. This year’s tournament brought the most fans the tournament has seen going back to 2007, which of course was the infamous Matt Lantz, one of the original Masters, year. While Matt did not prevail in 2007, his popularity in the local tennis community was through the roof due to his position as the Country Club’s head tennis pro. Accordingly, the tournament enjoyed an absolute record number of fans that came to watch Matt play. It is estimated that the final between Matt and Horia had approximately 150-200 spectators. Enough with the trips down memory lane, and let’s recap this year’s action.
Saturday, the weather was less than cooperative, however, the complex’s grounds crew proved to be up to the challenge. Delayed on three occasions, the Riverview Lawn and Tennis Club was able to muster to completion upwards of 18 matches on central court. The tournament director wishes to offer a heart felt “thank you” to all who helped with the tarps to keep the court as dry as possible. In the top half, the first round matches provided some great tennis as the “underdogs” proved to be up to the challenge. First on Friday night, Sam and Mikka gave David and Nate, the heavy tournment favorites coming in, all they could handle before bowing out in a very close match. Jon and Derrick Sammons’ power proved to be a tad to much over the east side pairing of Bill Massie and Corey Jorgenson. The father son combo of Gary and Matt Wojo, with tremendous support from the stands from Mrs. Wojo, had all the right answers against their challengers Matt Manion and Herman Yee, prevailing in a very close match 8-5. Finally, the last match of the top half’s first round pitted Ron Labelle and Ben Lassanske, the 4th seeds, versus the up and coming pair Jade Collins and Dave Oancea who were up to the task yet fell just short 8-2.
The top half quarterfinals were thrilling. First up, David and Nate had to come up with all the right solutions in a absolute firecracker of a match versus Jon and Derrick. In the end, their all american experience was a bit too much and they won a very close, rather wet match, 8-4. Ron and Ben entertained the father son challenge from Gary and Matt. This match truly went back and forth for the duration and there were no losers. Simply put, Gary and Matt ran out of time and Ron and Ben saw themselves through to the semis in a close 9-7 win.
The bottom half’s first round was every bit as enjoyable. Friday night, the 3 seeds, and two of the original masters, Todd and Matt faced a tremendous challenge from Johnny Sammons and Jake Cross. After some heavy hitting on both sides, Todd and Matt barely prevailed in a tight 8-2 match. The second match in the bottom half had Matt Hurt and Drew Herlein sporting an old fashioned power game versus the father son combo of Malcom Hall and Jon Hall, both benefiting from having been coached by Spring Arbor University Hall of Fame coach Terry Darling. In a thriller, Matt and Drew proved to be a a tad more consistent and went through 9-7. Michael Darling and Doug Blume faced off versus Troy and Tony. This had Western Panthers v Jackson Vikings written all over it and in typical fashion, the match went down to the wire with the Panthers prevailing 9-7. Finally, the 2010 champions Horia and Dave faced stern up and coming competition from Zach Biederman and Caleb Hurt. After breaking Horia’s serve right off the bat, the only time he was broken all tournment in fact, Zach and Caleb came up a bit short and Horia and Dave saw themselves through to the quarters. First up, Todd and Matt faced off versus Matt Hurt and Drew. This match showed up four incredible forehands, one harder hit then the one before it. In the end, Todd and Matt used their grass court guile to go through to another semifinal at the Riverview Lawn and Tennis making it seem like 2005 was just yesterday. Finally, Michael and Doug looked to build on Michael’s recent win over Horia at the Spring Arbor Open in June and defeat the old champions. Showing some all court overage, and getting just lucky enough, Dave and Horia managed to sneak into the semifinal after a very close match.
Sunday, the weather was once again less than cooperative, but the players were motivated . The prize money and the crystal trophies were up at the tournament desk to add to the ever increasing motivation. First up, the original four masters faced off in the first semifinal. Dave and Horia. Matt and Todd. These four guys have seen it all, accomplished most of what can be accomplished in the Jackson area tennis tournements, and while the warmup was full of laughter, the competitive spirits quickly began to drive the match. After a see saw battle, the score was 7-6 on serve, with no break points even for either team. Dave and Horia were able to break Todd’s serve, by being just a little bit savy, using their tailor made games for grass, and as always, as they both say “better lucky than good.” However, Matt and Todd were not ready to become fans just yet, and turned around to do what’s usually impossible on grass: break Dave Lassanske’s serve. Using some MASSIVE forehands, Matt and Todd saw themselves right back in the match. Next up, Matt’s serve, which had been automatic all match saw some unexpected challenge. Ultimately, Dave took control of the net, and Horia stayed out of the way just enough to give themselves a chance to serve for the match at 9-7. Using the wind to his advantage, and again, letting Dave control the net, Horia was able to close off the match and give himself and Dave a chance to regain their doubles crown which they were unable to defend last year due to work commitments.
The second semifinal saw the crafty pairing of Ron and Ben attempting to unseat last year’s champions David and Nate, fresh off their all american season at Spring Arbor University. Unfortunately, David and Nate simply did not miss. While this writer had the privilege of watching and taking notes for this column, it is not hyperbole: David and Nate did not miss. Ron and Ben mixed and matched their strategy, and while perhaps not playing their best, they were simply unable to move the ticker in their favor much because, once again, David and Nate refused to miss a single point. Ultimately, David and Nate bought themselves another ticket to a showdown in the final versus the “old” champs (literally…).
The final began shortly after 2:00 pm on Sunday. Breezy and cool, it seemed perhaps too tall a task for Dave and Horia to turn back the clock enough, as David and Nate’s display in their semifinal match was imply exquisite. The very first game of the match seemed a sign of things to come. Dave and Horia had to claw and fight to simply hold Dave’s serve after a slew of break points. However, that hold seemed to give them some momentum and belief that they know a thing or two on grass, and especially playing doubles together. The first set seemed to run according to a perfect script. David and Nate used some big hitting, great serving by David, tremendous hands and guile by Nate to hold serve with ease. Horia and Dave actually seemed to turn back the clock, if not their bellies, at least in the way they moved at times and used their natural attacking skills to hold their own, keep serve with calm and keep their nose in front even if providing little threat to David or Nate’s serves. Serving at 5-6, there was little evidence to forecast the set ending in any fashion but a tiebreak. However, Dave and Horia used their experience to get a couple of returns in play below the net level, and rely on each other to give themselves a look for their first break chances of the day, which they were able to convert. This really seemed to be like 2003 Horia and Dave. Poor returning all day, good movement and volleying, great serving, get lucky and get a look late in the set, and the next thing you know they were up a set. Second set began in familiar fashion. Dave serving first, and both teams holding serve with ease. David’s serve was truly booming, and Nate displayed some magical hands at times. Serving at 2-2, Horia and Dave made some uncharacteristic errors, which allowed David and Nate to capitalize and go up a break at 3-2. There was little to think that Horia and Dave could come right back, as David’s serve literally felt like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro due to the pace and accuracy. However, perhaps taking advantage of David’s natural relaxation, the old champs were able to break right back using some good net play and taking the wind into account. The pattern went back to normal and the match saw itself deadlocked at 4-4 when the rain came. After a brief rain delay, key word being brief due to some outstanding grounds crew work, play resumed under some unexpected sun. Dave served a big game, as his body was seemingly 23 again showing no ill effects from the delay. Up 5-4, Horia and Dave seemed to make up their mind to simply take some cuts on their returns and see if they can put some pressure on David’s serve. After some aesthetically pleasing exchanges, they found themselves at double match point. Fittingly enough, all players got involved in a traditional all four up at net point, which saw Dave and Horia prevail in this ever entertaining match. When it was all said and done, Dave and Horia were perhaps a bit better, a bit more relaxed, and bit luckier to regain their crown first won in 2010.
2013 MOG was without a doubt a tremendous success. The crowds were plentiful, the tennis was gorgeous, the hot dogs were freely consumed, and the fellowship and time spent together was priceless. The Riverview Lawn and Tennis Club hopes all that participated, players, families, fans and the like, had a wonderful time and hope to see all of you the last weekend in July in 2014 for the special 10th anniversary of the Masters of Grass Tournament. Special thanks are to Brian Crosby, who was a welcomed addition to executive team for the host committee, and as always, to the THE MOST IMPORTANT hostess, the one and only Meghan Dobben, who welcomed all to the humble abode, provided refreshments and nutrients both days, and was Todd’s first and foremost fan. Please check back the site, as pictures from this weekend’s festivities will be posted shortly and we have many thanks to Brian for being gracious and taking the wonderful photographs.