Virgil Aponte: Man on A Mission

Virgil Aponte is a determined man these days.  He has dedicated the past six months to two goals: shedding excess weight and playing tennis at a higher level. Though he has played in three of the previous five GSC tournaments, he has made this year's edition (The 6th) a top priority.  "I have lost 24 pounds of ugly fat this year!  Besides a smart, sensible diet, tennis has been an integral part of my fitness program," said the famed stair climbing guru and author of the best-selling book Ultimate Stair Exercises.  As far as tennis goes, he credits not a coach for his improvement but an object, "As funny as it sounds, the brick wall about 25 yards from my front door in Brooklyn has helped me improve my tennis!"


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.

Deadline: May 17!!!

Sign Up Now!!! 2012 GSC Tennis Tournament

Sign up now for the 6th Annual Grand Street Campus Tennis Tournament.  The tournament starts May 29 with the championship match scheduled for June 4.  The entry fee is $20 which gets you into the field of 16, along with a tournament t-shirt, complimentary tennis balls, sports drinks and trophies for the finalists.

Please see Max Estenger in room 199 or Steven Villandre at Progress  for more information. Deadline for entry is May 17.

                    2012 GSC TENNIS TOURNAMENT INFO

1.   First Round matches begin Tuesday, May 29 at 4:30 PM sharp at the Grand Street Campus Tennis Courts.  Deadline for entry is May 17.   Rain dates will be made up on subsequent tournament dates June 3, 5, 9.

2.   All Matches are best 2 out of 3 sets

3.   USTA  Rules apply.  Single Elimination Tournament.  Consolation Bracket  TBD.

4.   If  you are absent on day of scheduled match you must notify Max (646) 334 2270 on match day of your unavailability.  Failure to do so will result in an automatic forfeiture.   A match will be re-scheduled at the convenience of the tournament and the absent player’s opponent.  You are allowed only ONE absence, more than one and you are subject to forefeit.  One of the aspects of competing in a tournament is making it a priority and being fair to all the competitors.  If you cannot play on more than two official macth days you will automatically be disqualified.   We want this to be a competitive tournament with matches won on the court, but players are abusing this caveat.    Any in match injuries which cause a player to not be able to continue will result in a default loss. 

5.   Players with a GSC Tournament History will be seeded accordingly.  Those wishing to be seeded must play for spots in the week prior to the tournament (contact Max).  Unseeded players will have their names placed in a hat and an official draw will take place Tuesday, May 22 at 3:45 in the phys ed office to determine their opponents.

            

6.   It is highly recommended that you bring Gatorade or extra

water to your match.

Thank you all for participating!  We are looking forward to

another great tournament!

2011 Tournament Results

Champion:  Max Estenger

Runner-Up: Segundo Paredes

Championship Match

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

(1) Estenger  def  (4) Eagon  6-1, 6-0

(3) Paredes   def  (2) Khan     6-3, 2-6, 7-5 

Quarterfinals   

 (1) Estenger  def  Terry       6-2, 6-2

 (4) Paredes def  Zarcone    6-0, 7-5

 (4)  Eagon def Alexander  6-0, 6-0

 (2)  Khan def   Villandre    6-0, 6-0

First Round 

(1) Estenger def Aponte          6-1, 6-0

(2) Khan def  Desai       6-0, 6-0

(4) Eagon def Benson    6-3, 6-1

3) Paredes def  McFarlane 6-2, 6-4

Terry def  Sharpe       6-0, 6-0 

Zarcone vs. DeJesus  7-6(4), 6-4

Alexander  def Varrell  6-0, 6-0

Villandre def Morel        6-0, 6-1  

DeJesus  def Nikita       7-5, 6-4


All-Time Numbers
NAME MATCHES SETS GAMES

Estenger 17-0 34-0 180-44
Paredes 10-5 16-14 179-165
Carballido 5-3 12-8 96-85
Zarcone 6-5 14-10, 112-103
McFarlane 4-3 (09-11)

Estenger defeats Paredes to Capture 5th Straight GSC Crown 6-2, 6-2

Estenger with the 2011 trophy

The old saying goes "that in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king," and that refrain is what #1 seed Max Estenger said moments after winning his 5th straight GSC Tennis Tournament over #3 seed Segundo Paredes 6-2, 6-2.   "I'm happy to win, even though I didn't play my best, but the conditions were pretty severe and they definitely affected both of us."

Estenger jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first set before Paredes finally got on the board.  Both players were tight and hitting tentatively making for long rallies which helped no one with the heat index hovering around 98 for most of the match.

Paredes tried to make a match of it in the second set trailing 2-3 and up 40-15 before a series of backhand errors coughed up his advantage and 2-3 suddenly went to 2-5. Estenger had little offense in his arsenal today, but was content drawing the error from Paredes as he hit shot after shot to Paredes' backhand.   Paredes was also troubled by an inability to finish at the net when he clearly should have had the point.  

Paredes receiving trophy from tournament assistant Anil Sadoo

Still, for Paredes, this was an exceptional tournament as he defeated 3 of the toughest players--McFarlane, Zarcone, and Khan.  He reached the finals for the first time since '08 after failing to make the semis last year.   His game is definitely on the rebound and there is no question that he is the second best in this field.

Estenger's five year performance (5 championships, 17-0 match record,  34-0 in sets)  has tournament officials considering opening up next year's edition to four wildcard invitees from outside of  GSC.   Estenger has stated publicly that he supports such measures.  One other consideration is whether the tournament will happen at all, what with dwindling corporate sponsorships in this economy.  

Championship Point

Match point came on Paredes' serve and illustrates Estenger's strategy of attacking Paredes' backhand.

Championship Match: Postponed Extreme Heat; Final Set for Friday June 10

(1) Max Estenger vs. (3)  Segundo Paredes 

The GSC TT championship match scheduled for Wednesday, June 8, has been postponed due to the dangerous heat index forecast for Wednesday and Thursday in the NYC metropolitan area.  The forecast for Wednesday is 96, while Thursday 98!  The final is now set for Friday, June 10, 5:00 PM.