Estenger Defeats Aponte for 6th GSC Crown

          Championship Match: (1) Estenger def (3) Aponte 6-2, 7-5
Max Estenger made it six consecutive GSC Tennis Titles but it wasn't easy.  In fact, this was his most contested match in his 20 matches here since 2007.  However, when it was all over his pristine record in the tournament remains intact--20-0 match record, 40-0 in sets and six championships. His opponent, Virgil Aponte played a superb and courageous match especially after dropping the opening set 6-2. The match was 5-2 with Estenger serving for the set when the skies opened over the Bernard McIlwain Tennis Center and a 2-hour rain delay ensued.  When the players returned to action, Estenger held serve and the first set was his 6-2.

In past years, this was when Estenger's opponents would fade, but not Aponte.  He was determined to take this match to the limit and with his original assortment of dinks, lobs, slices,  squash shots and squash serves  he made the second set a scary ride for the now six-time champ.  He was aided by conditions that enhanced his game--a wet playing surface and water-logged tennis balls that made for some odd bounces.   Aponte was able to lead 5-4 in the 2nd set forcing Estenger to hold serve to extend the set.  Estenger easily held tieing the set at 5-all.  He then broke Aponte to take a 6-5 lead and then served out for the match with the final two points coming on some serve and volley points.

Match point was an old-fashioned serve and volley power tennis point which was probably how Estenger should have approached the second set

The rain delay lasted over two hours but it seemed to make Aponte 

even more determined.

Championship Match: (1) Estenger vs (3) Aponte 4:30 PM

It's one-on-one out there, man.  There ain't no hiding.  I can't pass the ball.  ~Pete Sampras

Championship Match: (1) Estenger vs (3) Aponte

Tuesday, June 5, 2012 BMTC GSC 4:30 PM

An entire year has transpired since the last GSC final and yet little has changed.  Max Estenger is still the prohibitive favorite as we enter the 6th final.  His opponent today is Virgil Aponte who last year lost to Estenger in the first round 6-1, 6-0.  Some hold out hope that Aponte will continue his astonishing run for one more day, but Estenger told reporters privately that he expects little resistance from Aponte.  The final is only hours away. 

Day 4 Results...And then there were 2: Estenger and Aponte in Finals

Both finalists were spotted only hours later at one of Williamsburg's trendy eateries and the mood was much lighter than it will be Tuesday

Friday Semifinals 

(1) Estenger def (4)  Paredes  6-3, 6-3

(3) Aponte  def  (2) McFarlane  5-7, 6-3, 6-4

Tuesday June 4

Championship Match 4:15 PM 

Today's semifinal matches at the Bernard McIlwain Tennis Center provided some incredible thrills for the several hundred fans who came to watch the tennis action.  The biggest headline belongs to # 3 seeded Virgil Aponte who came from behind to stun the #2 seeded favorite Corey McFarlane.  Aponte lost a tough first set before his superior conditioning wore down the much younger McFarlane.  The two could not present a bigger contrast;  McFarlane is built for speed and the quick strike, Aponte is built of steel and fortitude.  He literally wears you out until you cry uncle.  Today, McFarlane cried uncle and with it any chance of winning the elusive GSC TT trophy and McFarlane also lost out on a $5,000 sponsor challenge. 

The final two sets saw a series of astonishing points with overhead lob after overhead lob by Aponte forcing McFarlane to retreat to the baseline.  McFarlane also missed some easy overheads plopping them into the net  and by the end of the match a worn and weary McFarlane (who is 25 years old) looked more like 75.  Aponte's rise in the 2012 Tournament has been nothing short of remarkable.  He had never advanced past the Quarterfinals in any of his previous appearances and yet here he is poised to make a serious run at this year's title. But unlike his opponent McFarlane who could not handle the pressure today when it counted the most, he will face the 5-time defending champion Max Estenger who has never lost a match or even a set in the six year history of this tournament.

Estenger won his 18th straight match today as he faced his rival the Peruvian, Segundo Paredes who succumbed 6-3, 6-3 under brutal wind conditions--some gusts were measured as strong as 42 mph.  The first set started promising for Paredes as he served on serve at 3-4, but then a few loose points and the break was all that Estenger needed to go up 5-3 and then wrap up the set with a strong service game.  The second set proceeded along the same lines until Estenger broke at 4-3 to take a 5-3 lead.   He served it out in an interminable service game due to the fact that Paredes began to cramp very badly.  With both his spirit and body broken he finally lost the set 6-3 as Estenger smashed a powerful serve that Paredes feebly deposited back to net. Afterwards, a bitter and visibly shaken Paredes blamed the wind and then his cramping for his loss, unable to come to terms with his fourth loss to Estenger in this event as well as three losses in three years at Huntington.  

What will happen in Tuesday's final is anyone's guess.  Certainly Estenger will be the heavy favorite to make it six titles in a row which would put him in some illustrious tennis company, but he has never faced anyone like Aponte in the finals.  Aponte does not quit and will fight to the end to take home his first major.  He has already received an invitation to play in this August's prestigious Huntington Invitational but his focus is on Tuesday's epic battle with Estenger.  The weather forecast is for 68 degrees and that should help Aponte.

Day 3 Results

Thursday--Quarterfinal Results

 (4) Paredes def  Khan 6-3, 6-1 Quarterfinal 

 (3) Aponte def Benson 6-2, 6-3  Quarterfinal 

Friday Schedule

Semifinals 

(1) Estenger vs. (4)  Paredes  4:30 PM Center Court

(2) McFarlane vs (3) Aponte  4:00 PM Court 2

Monday June 4

Championship Match

This year's sixth edition of the GSC Tennis Tournament has had few surprises and the semifinals line up with all four seeded players moving on to see who will be playing for the championship.  In the first quarterfinal match, #3 Virgil Aponte continued his remarkable run with his third victory in this tournament overwhelming Adam Benson 6-3, 6-3.  The match featured plenty of rallies right at net but Aponte made timely lobs to push Benson deep into the back court. It is no secret on the circuit that these two players are not exactly best friends.  Before the match Aponte said that he would teach Benson a math lesson in how to count to six.  Benson responded by calling Aponte an expletive and questioned his work ethic and intelligence.

But Aponte had the last laugh and afterwards said, "I came in with a simple mission to demonstrate to Benson math in the real world."  "I also taught him that double faults against an athlete of my caliber won't cut it."  Aponte will now need all the rest he can get in the next 20 hours as he is scheduled to meet #2 seed Corey McFarlane in the semifinals Friday at the BMTC.  McFarlane is bidding to make it to his second GSC final.

In the other quarterfinal, Yousaf Khan started out with a 3-1 lead against his nemesis Segundo Paredes but after some initial nerves, Paredes proceeded to win an astounding 12 of the next 13 games and routed Khan.  It was a blistering performance based on an exceptional forehand and a Khan that seemed out of it mentally.  Spectators were shocked at the ease with which Paredes made it to his 5th Gsc semifinals in 6 tries and will try to make it into his 4th final.  But standing in his way as always will be five-time champion Max Estenger who has never lost a set let alone a match in this tournament.  Estenger has been focused all tournament on McFarlane and his lifetime record over Paredes stands at 164-2. We shall see if Paredes is poised to make history or play the role of patsy once again.

Day 2 Results

There were no surprises Wednesday in Day 2 of the GSC Tennis Tournament.  Khan and Benson easily made it to the Quarters on Thursday, while the top two seeds are thru to the semifinals on Friday.  However, while Estenger made child's play of Aguirre, #2 seed McFarlane seemed to have his hands full with Lori Goodman who has toiled on the circuit for years yet this is her first GSC appearance.  She put up a valiant effort losing in two tough sets to the cocky Corey 7-5, 6-4. McFarlane says he is merely fine tuning his game for what he says will be a legendary final against Estenger.  However, as Estenger has said, there is a lot of work left to be done before the dream match-up occurs.

      Khan def Mason 6-1, 6-1  First Round

      Benson def  Villandre 6-0, 6-1 First Round

 (1) Estenger def  Aguirre  6-0, 6-1 Quarterfinal

 (2) McFarlane def  Goodman 7-5, 6-4  Quarterfinal

Thursday Schedule

 (4) Paredes vs. Khan 4:30 PM Quarterfinal Center Court

 (3) Aponte vs. Beson  4 PM Quarterfinal Court 2

Friday Schedule

Semifinals 

(1) Estenger vs. Paredes/Khan 4:15 PM Center Court

(2) McFarlane vs Aponte/Benson 4:00 PM Court 2

Monday June 4

Championship Match

Making a rare appearance at the Bernard McIlwain Tennis Center is the legendary Bernard McIlwain 

The mamba's fairy tale ended at the hands of 5-time champion Max Estenger  6-0, 6-1. Angel "Mamba" Aguirre is proud of the history he made here Tuesday and vows to be a factor next year.

Day 1 Results, Tuesday May 28

Angel "Mamba" Aguirre made the greatest comeback in the history of tournament tennis by winning after being down a set and behind 0-5 in the second set.  Angel channeled his inner Mamba--yes, the black one in L.A. his hero--and he won the next 7 games to win the second set and then won the third and decisive set 6-3. He is a force to be reckoned with.

(3)  Aponte def Terry 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 First Round

      Aguirre def Morel 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 First Round

      Goodman def Zambrano (Ret.) First Round

(4)  Paredes def Sinclair 6-1, 6-0  First Round

Wednesday Schedule

      Mason vs. Khan  4PM First Round

      Benson vs. Villandre 3PM First Round

 (1) Estenger vs. Aguirre  4:15 PM Quarterfinal

 (2) McFarlane vs. Goodman 4:00 PM Quarterfinal

Thursday Schedule

 (4) Paredes vs. Khan/Mason 4:30 PM Quarterfinal

 (3) Aponte vs. Beson/Villandre 4 PM Quarterfinal

Friday Schedule

Semifinals 

Monday June 4

Championship Match

Once again Aponte proved to be too much for the young Vincent Terry taking him out in the first round in three hard fought sets.  Aponte's stunning weight loss and incredible fitness could make life difficult down the road for McFarlane.

It was a heart-breaking day for Vincent Terry who seemed ready to take Aponte down after his strong second set, but once again inconsistency plagued him. Afterwards, he was exhausted and upset. But he will be competing soon in the upcoming Mayor's Cup and in the 4th Huntington Invitational.

Iyanna Sinclair put up a valiant effort in her first round loss to three-time finalist Paredes. She played well enough to have beaten half the field. However, her comments after the match said it all about Iyanna:

"Even though I lost, my love for tennis doubled today."