The tournament is three weeks away, and Aponte is already making noise by defeating 3-time finalist Segundo Paredes in a riveting seeding match last Friday, May 4, at the Bernard McIlwain Tennis Center 6-1, 7-6(5). Aponte has fashioned a devastating backhand and forehand slice as well as a merciless offensive lob that has put all players on notice. He is now poised to become the no. 2 seed if he can beat Corey McFarlane on Thursday in his final seeding match. That would be quite an improvement from last year when he was unseeded and was crushed by 5-time defending champion Max Estenger 6-1, 6-1 in the First Round.
But Aponte concedes nothing to Estenger. "He's the Michael Jordan of this tournament, but that doesn't mean that he can't be beat. I think I can out- condition him in a three-set match and rattle him since he's never played a three-setter in this tournament. I want to show that with proper conditioning, and intense focus you can play this sport at a high level without being totally obsessed about it. I don't sleep with my tennis racquet or shower with it like he does." When told Estenger who was quick to comment on Aponte's dig: "I don't sleep with my racquet but I'm glad that he's finally lost all that weight. He is a good athlete and now he can really move around the court. Last year I felt like I was playing a handicapped player both physically and mentally. He has really turned it around. I'm happy for him."
Aponte could meet Estenger in what might finally give the GSC Tennis Tournament its first competitive final. That will be more likely than not if Aponte can secure the second spot and avoid playing Estenger until the final.
