TJTC WORLD TOUR

One could sense the tension in the locker room from miles away, as all the entrants of Rome were prepared to wage a bitter vendetta against the self-deluded world number two, Mullings. Even the world  number one, Angus, made sure to show up to ensure that he reclaims the limelight of the tour. Within hours of his arrival, Mullings was seen hastily retreating from the tournament under heavy security presence, fearing the worst and not wanting anything to impede his Roland Garros chances.

Top half action was rather exciting, as the aging former world number one, McDonald, was determined to prove that he still has what it takes to contend in the second week of major tournaments. He was expected to fall to tour veteran, Deuce. However, due to recent lack of match play, Deuce was unable to seriously threaten McDonald. This set up a rematch between McDonald and Plunkett in the quarterfinals. The last they played, McDonald received an unceremonious clinic. However, McDonald realized that he might get an opportunity to face Angus in the semis, and he was eager to see how his game would fare against this new generation of young number ones, and so he vengefully blew  an out of sorts Plunkett out of the draw to relish this opportunity. And as expected, Angus powered to the semis by mowing through Allen who is quite fun to watch due to his usual on-court ‘dramatics.’

As expected, it was pandemonium in the bottom half, since anywhere Douglas appears, contention is sure to follow. However, mention must first be made of the quarterfinal match up between world number four, Chambers and the quietly and dangerously improving, Sproul. He threw the kitchen sink to Chambers in the first set, taking the fight to 5-5. However, Chambers eventually adjusted beautifully to the clay and comfortably put Sproul away in the second set. To earn his spot in the quarters, Douglas had to pass the Alando test. Alando is clearly capable of powering winners in any direction from time to time, but though improving, he has not yet garnered the level of consistency that can threaten Douglas. This set up another clash between Douglas and former titlist, Bartley, the tour’s most bitter and rancorous enemies, in the quarters. But in a SHOCKINGLY peaceful rematch, Douglas put Bartley to sleep with a 1 and 1 victory. This allowed for a semifinal rematch between Douglas and his other arch-nemesis, Chambers. Interestingly, Douglas again failed to show up for a match, this time claiming that other tour players snuck into his hotel room and changed the time on all his watches and clocks to ensure that he would have arrived late. This sent Chambers, ever the opportunist, into the final. In the other semifinal, the overpowering number one, Angus, made it clear to McDonald that his time atop the rankings has definitely passed and blew him off the court with a debilitating 1 and 0 clinic.

The final indeed had some dramatic moments. After Angus soared to a 2-0 lead, it seemed as if it would be another walk in the park. However, the tour mosquito, Chambers, with his nagging ability to retrieve power shots, scratched his way back to 2-2, and Angus began to show some signs of nervousness. But Angus would not be denied as he mercilessly continued to power through Chambers’ defenses until he broke him down completely. Then it was order restored. The TJTC’s most dominant number one mowed through yet another draw and continued to build on his massive lead in the point standings.

All eyes now look to the French Open as it promises even more excitement. Even the Canadian, Donclair Brown, determined to step out of the shadows of the current Canada number one, Raonic, has hinted that he is coming to do some damage. But without question, the most exciting thing about the TJTC tour continues to be the observation of how all the players on tour are fighting ferociously to improve their skills to one day dethrone Angus, and one gets the feeling that quite a few players are inching closer and closer to transforming this fantasy into a reality. And so, the suspense rages on to Roland Garros.

One could sense the tension in the locker room from miles away, as all the entrants of Rome were prepared to wage a bitter vendetta against the self-deluded world number two, Mullings. Even the world  number one, Angus, made sure to show up to ensure that he reclaims the limelight of the tour. Within hours of his arrival, Mullings was seen hastily retreating from the tournament under heavy security presence, fearing the worst and not wanting anything to impede his Roland Garros chances.

Top half action was rather exciting, as the aging former world number one, McDonald, was determined to prove that he still has what it takes to contend in the second week of major tournaments. He was expected to fall to tour veteran, Deuce. However, due to recent lack of match play, Deuce was unable to seriously threaten McDonald. This set up a rematch between McDonald and Plunkett in the quarterfinals. The last they played, McDonald received an unceremonious clinic. However, McDonald realized that he might get an opportunity to face Angus in the semis, and he was eager to see how his game would fare against this new generation of young number ones, and so he vengefully blew  an out of sorts Plunkett out of the draw to relish this opportunity. And as expected, Angus powered to the semis by mowing through Allen who is quite fun to watch due to his usual on-court ‘dramatics.’

As expected, it was pandemonium in the bottom half, since anywhere Douglas appears, contention is sure to follow. However, mention must first be made of the quarterfinal match up between world number four, Chambers and the quietly and dangerously improving, Sproul. He threw the kitchen sink to Chambers in the first set, taking the fight to 5-5. However, Chambers eventually adjusted beautifully to the clay and comfortably put Sproul away in the second set. To earn his spot in the quarters, Douglas had to pass the Alando test. Alando is clearly capable of powering winners in any direction from time to time, but though improving, he has not yet garnered the level of consistency that can threaten Douglas. This set up another clash between Douglas and former titlist, Bartley, the tour’s most bitter and rancorous enemies, in the quarters. But in a SHOCKINGLY peaceful rematch, Douglas put Bartley to sleep with a 1 and 1 victory. This allowed for a semifinal rematch between Douglas and his other arch-nemesis, Chambers. Interestingly, Douglas again failed to show up for a match, this time claiming that other tour players snuck into his hotel room and changed the time on all his watches and clocks to ensure that he would have arrived late. This sent Chambers, ever the opportunist, into the final. In the other semifinal, the overpowering number one, Angus, made it clear to McDonald that his time atop the rankings has definitely passed and blew him off the court with a debilitating 1 and 0 clinic.

The final indeed had some dramatic moments. After Angus soared to a 2-0 lead, it seemed as if it would be another walk in the park. However, the tour mosquito, Chambers, with his nagging ability to retrieve power shots, scratched his way back to 2-2, and Angus began to show some signs of nervousness. But Angus would not be denied as he mercilessly continued to power through Chambers’ defenses until he broke him down completely. Then it was order restored. The TJTC’s most dominant number one mowed through yet another draw and continued to build on his massive lead in the point standings.

All eyes now look to the French Open as it promises even more excitement. Even the Canadian, Donclair Brown, determined to step out of the shadows of the current Canada number one, Raonic, has hinted that he is coming to do some damage. But without question, the most exciting thing about the TJTC tour continues to be the observation of how all the players on tour are fighting ferociously to improve their skills to one day dethrone Angus, and one gets the feeling that quite a few players are inching closer and closer to transforming this fantasy into a reality. And so, the suspense rages on to Roland Garros.