We had a great tournament on September 11th. With 44 participants we were able to have a nice even 11 table round robin. It made it easy for me. I want to thank Nagini and the other players who help set up and clean up afterwards.

There were two outstanding characteristics at this year’s event. The first was the strength of the field. I haven’t seen so many good players for this tournament in many years. Sean O’Neill, Simone Yang, newcomer Tim Aikey, and David Chung made four players above 2000. The 11th seed was over 1900. Another indication of the quality of the players was the fact that first seeds on tables 9, 10, and 11 were upended by the second seeds. This year the bend in the snake was brutal.

The other aspect that drew attention was the two young guns who served notice on their elders that the new generation has arrived. Brian Chia and Thomas Nguyen had outstanding results.

After three preliminary single elimination matches, we reached the quarter-finals.
In the upper bracket it was Sean O’Neill playing Tai Nguyen and David Chung against Thomas Nguyen. In the lower it was Simone Yang versus Roger Castle and Tim Aikey vying with Brian Chia.

Sean, the tournament favorite, got by Tai in straight sets. Simone had a little more trouble with Roger, but made it through in four, with one deuce. Thomas pulled off a shocker against David and dropped him in straight sets. The real battle was between Tim Aikey and Brian Chia. Tim (2018) recently moved here from Vermont. He had played on the Texas Wesleyan team before and had been to our 2006 Pac Rim. He is very consistent with a forehand and backhand loop and a very nice block he probably picked up playing all those 2300 players at Texas Wesleyan. Brian has really picked up his game and is keeping the ball in play longer and waiting for the right shot to score on. Brian prevailed in four but with two deuces the match was very close.

In the semis, Sean took on Thomas and Simone went head to head with Brian. Once again Sean showed his experience and talent by closing out Thomas in three. Brian, on the other hand gave Simone all she could handle and more. The match went five with Simone mounting comebacks in games two and four. The fifth game went back and fourth with Simone putting pressure on Brian, but never able to quite close the gap. Brian persevered to close out the match.

The third place match between Simone and Thomas was another action packed contest. Simone won the first and then Thomas came back for the second and third. Simone took the fourth and then Thomas got out to a good start in the fifth to take a 5-2 lead at the turn. Then Simone dug in and tried to make a comeback. She got to 8-10 before Thomas closed it out.

Sean’s match against Brian was a little anti-Climatic. Sean eased up a little and Brian took a game off him to make to 4-1 for Sean.

Brian and Thomas really showed how much their games have improved. Brian is more spin to Thomas’ speed, but both have great footwork and good concentration in keeping the ball in play. They are definitely on the rise and giving our younger players good role models to emulate.

The secret to beating Sean is quite simple. Just return more balls than he does. Our top players are still working on that. Brian and Thomas look like they have that in mind and are on their way to that goal.

CLICK TO SEE THE CHART DESCRIBING WHO WON THE TOP MATCHES