Pre-Tournament Shocker At GSC

Yousuf Khan's serve was too much for Paredes

Manbeater Yousuf Khan Destroys Paredes 6-2, 6-2

On Thursday, EBT Junior Yousuf Khan took on the second winningest player in the three-year GSC Tennis Tournament, Segundo Paredes. The match wasn't even close as Khan easily dismantled Paredes 6-2, 6-2. Khan stunned the two-time finalist with an array of shots, but most particularly a wicked kick serve which Paredes was unable to handle. All of this transpired under the watchful eye of Khan's coach Virgil Aponte.

During the first set, Paredes grew irritated as Khan's backhand slice proved tricky for Paredes. He even yelled at Khan during one game to "Play real tennis." In the second set, Khan went to his power game and his forehand obliged with fierce winner after winner. At the end of the match an elated Khan launched a tennis ball through the air and onto the football field. Paredes congratulated Khan on his impressive victory before preposterously offering the youngster some tips on how to improve his game. Rarely does one see a 2-6, 2-6 loser giving out advice on how the winner can improve. He wants a re-match after the break.

Meanwhile, Coach Aponte pointed out that after beating Girl's Tennis Coach McFarlane two weeks ago in straight sets, and now Paredes in straight sets, that Team Khan has its sights set on John Zarcone (a semifinalist last year). "I think Zarcone is an exceptional athlete, but coming off of maternity leave it looks like fatherhood has added a few pounds to Z. I just hope he gives us a match before the tournament. I mean, he did beat Yousuf during the summer, but that was not the Yousuf we saw today." Aponte then added, "Ofcourse, the ultimate target is Estenger, but we have two months to figure that out and Yousuf is way ahead of schedule."

This year the tournament will only seed four players and right now that order beyond Estenger looks like Zarcone, Khan, Paredes. The pre-tournament seedings will proceed on a 2 out of 3 match formula. If a player does not compete for a seeding he/she will not be seeded.

Player Video: Segundo Paredes

Our cameras spotted Segundo Paredes working on his serve this winter at the Alley Pond Park Indoor Tennis Center.

Who Will Be Seeded?

Three-time defending champion Max Estenger serving in last year's Championship Match
Estenger receiving winner's trophy in '09 from Yousaf Khan

As it stands now, the seedings for the 2010 tournament are looking something like this:

1. Max Estenger--three-time defending champion and improving every year

2. Segundo Paredes--two-time runner up, '09 semifinalist; the heart of a champion if not the skills

3. John Zarcone--a semifinalist in '09; will trying to win it for his new baby girl inspire him?

4. Yousaf Khan--a tennis fanatic and junior EBT student who has played more tennis than anyone else these past 12 months. He could be the man to beat by June.

5. Corey McFarlane--a superb athlete trying to translate those skills into tennis success

Then there is the rest of the field: Aponte, Moccia-Field, Desai, Weber, McAndrews, Kollerer, Benson, Rodriguez, Lee, and Carmona. Who has improved? Will last year's 2009 runner-up Jose Carballido return from Colombia to play in June? What about the presence of Phys Ed teacher Joe Marini's new found passion for tennis? Perhaps there is some ex-college tennis player lurking inside GSC who we don't know about....

2009 Tournament Results

Jose Carballido '09 runner-up takes a cut with his two-handed backhand

Champion: Estenger
Runner-up: Carballido

FIrst Round
(1) Estenger def Carmona (Ret)
(2) Carballido def Rodriguez 6-0, 6-0
(3) Paredes def Weber 1-6, 6-3, 6-2
Moccia-Feld def (4) Desai 6-4, 7-5
(5) Zarcone def Benson 6-2, 7-5
(8) McAndrews def Heather Lee 6-2, 6-0
(7) Aponte def Freidman 6-1, 6-0
(6) McFarlane def Kollerer 6-2, 6-4

Quarterfinals
(1) Estenger def (8) McAndrews 6-0, 6-0
(2) Carballido def (7) Aponte 7-6(4),6-0
(5) Zarcone def Moccia-Field 6-3, 6-1
(3) Paredes def (6) McFarlane 6-2, 6-7(7), 6-3

Semifinal
(1) Estenger def (5) Zarcone 6-1, 6-3
(2) Carballido def (3) Paredes 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(6)

Championship Match
(1) Estenger def (2) Carballido 6-1, 6-2

2009 Tournament Numbers (quarterfinals or better)
NAME MATCHES SETS
Estenger 3-0* 6-0
Carballido 3-1 6-3
Paredes 2-1 5-4
Zarcone 2-1 4-2
McFarlane 1-1 3-2
Aponte 1-1 2-2
McAndrews 1-1 2-2
Moccia-Field 1-1 2-2

ALL-TIME NUMBERS (min. 6 matches)

NAME MATCHES SETS GAMES

Estenger 9-0 18-0 108-25
Paredes 6-3 13-12 113-109
Carballido 5-3 12-8 96-85
Zarcone 3-3 8-6 70-60

2008 Tournament Results

Aponte chasing down a lob in the 08 tournament
Zarcone winning easily in a first round match in '08

Champion: Estenger
Runner-up: Paredes

First Round (Top 4 seeds received byes)
(8) McAndrews defeated (9) Bevacqua 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
(12) Ross defeated (5) Milana 6-1, 2-1 (Ret)
(6) Zarcone defeated (12) Webber 6-3, 6-2
(7) Aponte defeated (10) Benson 5-7, 6-2, 6-2

Quarterfinals
(1) Estenger def (8) McAndrews 6-0, 6-0
(4) Desai def (12) Ross WD
(3) Carballido def (6) Zarcone 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (4)
(2) Paredes def (7) Aponte 3-6, 6-3, 6-0

Semifinals
(1) Estenger def (4) Desai 6-0, 6-1
(2) Paredes def. (3) Carballido 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2

Championship Match
(1) Estenger def (2) Paredes 6-0, 6-3

2007 Tournament Results

McAndrews a veteran of all three GSC tournaments

Champion: Estenger
Runner-up: Paredes

First Round
(1) Carballido def (8) Bridgewater 6-3, 6-1
(2) Estenger def (7) Markova 6-4, 6-1
(3) Desai def (6) McAndrews. 6-1, 6-2
(4) Paredes def (5) Zarcone 6-1, 1-6, 7-5

Semifinals
(4) Paredes def (1) Carballido 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
(2) Estenger def (3) Desai 6-1, 6-2

Championship Match
(1) Estenger def (3) Paredes 6-1, 6-3