Mercedes $$$ Tournament in Phoenix

10isDad

Hall of Fame
For anybody in the Phoenix area, next week there is a large money tournament at the Village Racquet Club in Phoenix. Several very good junior (including Deiton B) are competing, as are several current and former touring professionals.

Pros include former world #13 Andrei Pavel and several players ranked between 180 and 1800, including Roman Borvanov, Nick Monroe, Chris Wettengel, Brian Battistone and others.

Could be a good chance to see how the juniors match up against low- to mid-level touring professionals. I will hopefully be posting a few pictures.
 

joe sch

Legend
I always enjoy watching Brian Battistone playing with his jump serves and dual handle racket. Wonder if he is playing dubs with Chris Wettengel ?
 
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10isDad

Hall of Fame
I always enjoy watching Brian Battistone playing with his jump serves and dual handle racket. Wonder if he is playing dubs with his bro ?

I talked w/ Brian a few months ago and he said his brother is officially retired (wanted to spend more time w/ family).

Brian is playing w/ Chris Wettengel.
 

GRANITECHIEF

Hall of Fame
That sounds like a great tourney.

Tonlars, did that doubles pairing come about as a result of your participation on this forum? Just curious how you guys linked up and if you've played any sets with the young lad.
 

TonLars

Professional
That sounds like a great tourney.

Tonlars, did that doubles pairing come about as a result of your participation on this forum? Just curious how you guys linked up and if you've played any sets with the young lad.

Hey! I have heard of him and read stuff including from this forum, but never seen him play in person. Once I saw he was in the tournament I sent a message to Brad through youtube that I needed someone to warmup before matches and possibly play doubles. Ive talked with him on the phone a couple times, they seem very motivated and nice at the same time.

I went to school and played tennis in Santa Barbara my first 2 years, I wonder if I ever came across you? Back then I wasnt anywhere close to the playing level I am at now though.
 
Hey! I have heard of him and read stuff including from this forum, but never seen him play in person. Once I saw he was in the tournament I sent a message to Brad through youtube that I needed someone to warmup before matches and possibly play doubles. Ive talked with him on the phone a couple times, they seem very motivated and nice at the same time.

I went to school and played tennis in Santa Barbara my first 2 years, I wonder if I ever came across you? Back then I wasnt anywhere close to the playing level I am at now though.

Actually this is a great dynamic Tony. His dad is saying its pros or nothing, college is no option. You excelled in college, on court and with the academics. You have also seen the immense jump in ability even at the 500-800 ATP level....let alone that completely different level needed to make money, which is a top 75 or so player.

I had the pleasure of working with Sekou Banhoura Jr. and remain close with him and his dad. He has given me some insight on the amazing level jumps in tennis from juniors, smaller college, top college, lower pros, and the special ones in the top 100.

I have a feeling with all your experience you will have a hunch after this tournaments if this is a kid who should be bypassing a college scholarship to gamble on the pros...or not. Of course your opinion will and should be kept private.

But to be quite honest, after all these years of bantering with BB, I would love to be able to read your mind on the topic after this tourny!

Have fun and best of luck.
 
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10isDad

Hall of Fame
Actually this is a great dynamic Tony. His dad is saying its pros or nothing, college is no option. You excelled in college, on court and with the academics. You have also seen the immense jump in ability even at the 500-800 ATP level....let alone that completely different level needed to make money, which is a top 75 or so player.

I had the pleasure of working with Sekou Banhoura Jr. and remain close with him and his dad. He has given me some insight on the amazing level jumps in tennis from juniors, smaller college, top college, lower pros, and the special ones in the top 100.

I have a feeling with all your experience you will have a hunch after this tournaments if this is a kid who should be bypassing a college scholarship to gamble on the pros...or not. Of course your opinion will and should be kept private.

But to be quite honest, after all these years of bantering with BB, I would love to be able to read your mind on the topic after this tourny!

Have fun and best of luck.

Should be interesting for DB. He secured a seed by virtue of having some wins in a qualie for a SoCal future. His first two probable opponents are both serve-volley players. I would guess he will get past the first opponent with relative ease. The guy he should play 2nd has sick hands and is a great volleyer. DB may well win this one, but he's going to have to hit a ton of well-aimed passing shots to do so.
 

GRANITECHIEF

Hall of Fame
Well, like any young guy with starry eyes, he is torn. Still on the team for 2011.....dad trying to keep him on track with the schooling. Not easy at that age.

Here is a nice piece from the summer.

http://www.addvantageuspta.com/(S(h...sLetterID=1112&&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Wonderding if he is still torn at the moment after playing nearly 20 events in 2011 (mostly futures and a few challenger quallies) and winning 1 round in roughly every other one.
 
Wonderding if he is still torn at the moment after playing nearly 20 events in 2011 (mostly futures and a few challenger quallies) and winning 1 round in roughly every other one.

Yup, I think reality is entering the picture. I think many posters have no idea how huge a jump it is from even top juniors to the pros. I doubt many would argue against that Sekou is a much better player than the other kid discussed here...and still hard to even sniff at the pros.
 
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GRANITECHIEF

Hall of Fame
I'd actually like to see that match. Would probably lean toward DB, as I wasn't actually that impressed when i hit with jr.
 
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I'd actually like to see that match. Would probably lean toward DB, as I wasn't actually that impressed when i hit with jr.

I would take that action all day long and twice on Sunday. Lots more goes into winning a match than just hitting hard. Sorry, DB is not near that level. SB's resume has quite a few wins over top 30 18s, not so with DB.

Just look at the Zoo. Bangoura beat guys ranked 4,35,18,7,10,3. DB beat 106 and 92.

Night and day, different levels of tennis in actual matches. I would bet you $10000 on that match!
 
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Yeah, thats true, but it would probably be fun to watch and somewhat competitive.

A ha....I would go with that. No pressure on DB would even things out and make it 'somewhat' competitive.

But SB knows how to play the game, construct points, disguise his shots, use angles and spins, use the opponents pace. At this point, he would take that match no doubt.
 
A ha....I would go with that. No pressure on DB would even things out and make it 'somewhat' competitive.

But SB knows how to play the game, construct points, disguise his shots, use angles and spins, use the opponents pace. At this point, he would take that match no doubt.

I am sure Dane Webb was thinking deep in the 3rd set " could you imagine if this kid was more competitive , knew how to construct points and could figure out what and angle was " ? LoL yah has know idea what he is doing .
 
I would take that action all day long and twice on Sunday. Lots more goes into winning a match than just hitting hard. Sorry, DB is not near that level. SB's resume has quite a few wins over top 30 18s, not so with DB.

Just look at the Zoo. Bangoura beat guys ranked 4,35,18,7,10,3. DB beat 106 and 92.

Night and day, different levels of tennis in actual matches. I would bet you $10000 on that match!

How old was SB when he had those results at the Zoo? Was he a young 15 putting on the line or was he playing it safe playing his age group?

Up it to 5000 and set the match up would love to take that action , this way there is pressure with out a doubt ,,that is if you knoww SB
 

GRANITECHIEF

Hall of Fame
I'd guess TCF will say that if he was 15, he wasn't putting anything on the line and that the real pressure is playing in your own age group.

" LoL yah has know idea what he is doing " This is ironically brilliant.

Also, it would be hard to up $10000 to $5000, but i think i know what you are getting at.
 
I'd guess TCF will say that if he was 15, he wasn't putting anything on the line and that the real pressure is playing in your own age group.

" LoL yah has know idea what he is doing " This is ironically brilliant.

Also, it would be hard to up $10000 to $5000, but i think i know what you are getting at.

You say you have hit with SB and I know you have witnessed DB compete at 12 years old now he is 15yrs and stands at 6'5 and he more serious then he was . You know who the safe bet is .
 
You say you have hit with SB and I know you have witnessed DB compete at 12 years old now he is 15yrs and stands at 6'5 and he more serious then he was . You know who the safe bet is .

Once again, his dimensions are meaningless. The fact is SB has numerous wins over top 20 ranked 18s in his career, and DB does not. Hence the smart money is on the guy who has shown it on court, not in hitting sessions.
 

GRANITECHIEF

Hall of Fame
I'd for sure go with the guy who has several wins on the pro-circuit and several ATP points over the guy who does not.

And don't forget #1Coach, i know how certain kids progress as mine just hit 16 and is hitting like a demon.

The inquiry of SB at 15 is just for comparatory kicks.

Wouldn't be surprised if they are all at the same futures next summer.
 
I'd for sure go with the guy who has several wins on the pro-circuit and several ATP points over the guy who does not.

And don't forget #1Coach, i know how certain kids progress as mine just hit 16 and is hitting like a demon.

The inquiry of SB at 15 is just for comparatory kicks.

Wouldn't be surprised if they are all at the same futures next summer.

Exactly. Maybe DB is taller and can hit a harder serve in practice. But the other guy gets in there and battles....top D-1 players, ATP players.....in actual matches. He has a few nice wins to show for it....and plenty of loses, to guys who are ATP ranked and are damn good players. And he is doing it while also getting excellent grades in college.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Ba/S/Sekou-Bangoura.aspx?t=pa

So I am not making my bet based on emotion and who I like more, I am making it with my brain based on on court results.
 
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Rob_C

Hall of Fame
You say you have hit with SB and I know you have witnessed DB compete at 12 years old now he is 15yrs and stands at 6'5 and he more serious then he was . You know who the safe bet is .

Bangoura has multiple wins at the Futures level, and has a Challenger win over Robert Kendrick, who was seeded at the event so he was ranked about 100-120 at the time. The match was on clay, so it's not Kendrick's best surface, but it's still a win. Not to mention he has a yr of college under his belt, so that's weeks of practice & matches against strong, college level players.

As far as I know, DB doesn't come close as far as accomplishments, to date. In a couple of yrs he could equal or exceed what Bangoura's done, but, as of now, I would definitely give the edge to Bangoura.
 
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Bangoura has multiple wins at the Futures level, and has a Challenger win over Robert Kendrick, who was seeded at the event so he was ranked about 100-120 at the time. The match was on clay, so it's not Kendrick's best surface, but it's still a win. Not to mention he has a yr of college under his belt, so that's weeks of practice & matches against strong, college level players.

As far as I know, DB doesn't come close as far as accomplishments, to date. In a couple of yrs he could equal or exceed what Bangoura's done, but, as of now, I would definitely give the edge to Bangoura.

Tell you what, if by age 20 DB has the same caliber of wins as SB does now, I will be very impressed.
 
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Bangoura has multiple wins at the Futures level, and has a Challenger win over Robert Kendrick, who was seeded at the event so he was ranked about 100-120 at the time. The match was on clay, so it's not Kendrick's best surface, but it's still a win. Not to mention he has a yr of college under his belt, so that's weeks of practice & matches against strong, college level players.

As far as I know, DB doesn't come close as far as accomplishments, to date. In a couple of yrs he could equal or exceed what Bangoura's done, but, as of now, I would definitely give the edge to Bangoura.

SB has some pretty decent wins already. The win over Kendrick, some of his D-1 wins, some of his USTA 18s wins, wins over #s 404, 516, 638, 874.

All while rocking the academics too? If DB has wins like that, ever, I will be very surprised. That is a level of tennis not many guys ever reach.
 

ClarkC

Hall of Fame
How old was SB when he had those results at the Zoo? Was he a young 15 putting on the line or was he playing it safe playing his age group?

Well, if Deiton is going to play Sekou right now, when they are 4 years apart in age, then Deiton had better have outstanding results playing up in the 18s at Kalamazoo. Are you claiming that a 15 year old Deiton will beat a 19 year old Sekou?
 
SB has some pretty decent wins already. The win over Kendrick, some of his D-1 wins, some of his USTA 18s wins, wins over #s 404, 516, 638, 874.

All while rocking the academics too? If DB has wins like that, ever, I will be very surprised. That is a level of tennis not many guys ever reach.

I see DB lost a tight one to a kid out of USC a couple of weeks ago , this kid is ranked about the same as SB , so I would love to see this match happen.
 

BigT

Professional
It's great. Almost everytime I check this section of threads, it seems the topic is always the same!
 

Rob_C

Hall of Fame
I see DB lost a tight one to a kid out of USC a couple of weeks ago , this kid is ranked about the same as SB , so I would love to see this match happen.

It would make things easier to actually 'drop the name', if you're gonna name drop. That way u save people the trouble of having to look stuff up and determine if what they found is what you're referring to.

Anyway, I'm guessing you're referring to his match against Sarmiento in La Habra. If so, decent result, 6-3, 6-4. Wouldn't say tight based on the score, but I wasn't there. Seems like a break each set, comfortable win to me, but I could be wrong.

Edit: I forgot to add, Sarmiento is ranked in the 1400s, Bangoura in the 800s, so they're about 600 places apart. I'd say they're close in ability cause I dont think that there's much difference between 8-900 & 1300-1400, just who can stay out longer playing Futures.
 
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In tennis you look at a body of work. SB's body of work has a solid list of wins over solid D-1s, USTA top 18s, and 5 top 900 ATP guys.

Again, if DB can reach that level some day, hats off to him and his coach.
 

10isDad

Hall of Fame
I think he made it to the finals at the Herr before and he has played the Orange Bowl. I believe he made it to the quarters or semis in an Orange Bowl.


QF in 2009 Orange Bowl
SF in 2009 Eddie Herr

2007 - lost in finals of Herr (16s)
 
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It would make things easier to actually 'drop the name', if you're gonna name drop. That way u save people the trouble of having to look stuff up and determine if what they found is what you're referring to.

Anyway, I'm guessing you're referring to his match against Sarmiento in La Habra. If so, decent result, 6-3, 6-4. Wouldn't say tight based on the score, but I wasn't there. Seems like a break each set, comfortable win to me, but I could be wrong.

Edit: I forgot to add, Sarmiento is ranked in the 1400s, Bangoura in the 800s, so they're about 600 places apart. I'd say they're close in ability cause I dont think that there's much difference between 8-900 & 1300-1400, just who can stay out longer playing Futures.

All you say here is good but never bring up rankings those have no purpose here in these discussion , just a heads up .
 

10isDad

Hall of Fame
No qualie.

Watched several matches tonight. Not too many competitive matches but tomorrow should be good. First time seeing DB play. Hits one of the cleanest balls I've seen. Tomorrow he plays my son's former coach who said "He's gonna kick my butt" after seeing a few games. I think it will be entertaining as Mackay (the opponent) is a net rusher w/ great hands. Nice contrast of styles.

Another of my son's former coaches, Andrei Pavel, looked a bit rusty at first, but once he got the timing down he was nearly impeccable. He had several blazing backhand return winners - that one-hander is stunning. Pavel takes on Montoya, a junior who beat Deiton in the backdraw of Kalamazoo (2-6, 6-1, 12-10...a couple people I know who watched that match indicated Deiton should not have lost but played a bit "raw" and started overhitting when Montoya, a grinder extraordinaire, just put ball after ball in play).

I was able to watch a few games of TonLars as he put the hurt on a decent young junior. Nice game. Today he plays Alex Weiland, a scrappy former community college player at Scottsdale Community College.

Matches are earlier today, so hopefully I can get some pictures. Yesterday started too late in the day to get many pics.
 
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No qualie.

Watched several matches tonight. Not too many competitive matches but tomorrow should be good. First time seeing DB play. Hits one of the cleanest balls I've seen. Tomorrow he plays my son's former coach who said "He's gonna kick my butt" after seeing a few games. I think it will be entertaining as Mackay (the opponent) is a net rusher w/ great hands. Nice contrast of styles.

Another of my son's former coaches, Andrei Pavel, looked a bit rusty at first, but once he got the timing down he was nearly impeccable. He had several blazing backhand return winners - that one-hander is stunning. Pavel takes on Montoya, a junior who beat Deiton in the backdraw of Kalamazoo (2-6, 6-1, 12-10...a couple people I know who watched that match indicated Deiton should not have lost but played a bit "raw" and started overhitting when Montoya, a grinder extraordinaire, just put ball after ball in play).

I was able to watch a few games of TonLars as he put the hurt on a decent young junior. Nice game. Today he plays Alex Weiland, a scrappy former community college player at Scottsdale Community College.

Matches are earlier today, so hopefully I can get some pictures. Yesterday started too late in the day to get many pics.

Thanks for the information, look forward to more reports. But if I had a dollar for every time someone said "should not have lost", I would be retired. Tennis is not played like Madden 2012....lots of 'the cleanest hitters' and 'playground slam dunk champions' sit and watch the top ATP guys and NBA players.

Tennis is about winning, how tall and clean hitting and good a guy looks is meaningless. It may be the skinny guy, the hard hitter, the grinder, the 5'7" Ferrer. Saying 'he should have won' is quite silly. Montoya is the better tennis player at this moment in time.
 
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10isDad

Hall of Fame
I'm just rehashing what folks said. I know from experience that for many Montoya can be an awkward matchup, and it's all about matchups. Even the best have their nemesis who, for reasons not always obvious, tend to either simply win or bring out the worst in the seemingly favored player.
 
Yes, hiding behind 'he is a pusher, I hit better than he does' brings comfort to many in tennis. Bottom line, the best players beat grinders, grinders are in every level of tennis is some capacity. If a grinder beats you....he is a better tennis player than you are. Simple as that.

Montoya is 1-7 vs blue chips. Strange how they found a way to beat him. Oh yeah, they actually WERE better players.
 
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