The USTA started Nationals later than normal this year but is still wrapping up the 2nd weekend in November, so the schedule is more compressed with all of the 18 & Over Mixed being played this weekend, plus a few 55 & Over events. I didn't cover the 55 & Over last week so I'll review those events from the past two weekends, all played in Scottsdale.
First from two weekends ago.
The 55 & Over 7.0 Women had two 4-0 teams, Southern and PNW, were joined by 3-1 Southwest and Texas in the semis who beat out Midwest on court record. The two 3-1 teams won the semis each 2-1 with Southwest then beating Texas 2-1 in the final. Southern and Southwest were favorites in the simulation, the other a bit of a surprise.
The 55 & Over 7.0 Men had four 4-0 teams, PNW, Texas, Eastern, and Midwest. In the semis Midwest and Eastern won 2-1 each and then Eastern won the final also 2-1. All four teams were favorites or contenders in the simulation.
The 55 & Over 9.0 Women had 4-0 Florida, Texas, and SoCal were joined by 3-1 Mid-Atlantic who beat out two other 3-1 teams on court record. The semis saw Mid-Atlantic take out Florida 3-0 with Texas winning the other semi 2-1, but there is no winner listed on TennisLink as of now. All four teams were favorites or solid contenders in the simulation.
And the 55 & Over 9.0 men had NorCal and MoValley go 4-0 and were joined by Midwest and Middle States who got in on court record. Middle States and MoValley won semis 2-1, and then MoValley won the final 2-1. Three of these teams were favorites in the simulation, just MoValley was a bit of a surprise.
Then from this weekend.
The 55 & Over 6.0 Women had just one 4-0 team, Southern, with a 6-way tie at 3-1 for three spots. The top-4 all had 9-3 court records and Florida, NorCal, and Caribbean got in on fewer sets lost. Southern and NorCal made the final where NorCal won 2-1. Southern and NorCal were favorites, Caribbean a contender in the simulation.
The 55 & Over 6.0 Men was a similar scenario with 4-0 Southern and six 3-1 teams with the top-3 on court record being SoCal, NorCal, and Intermountain advancing. Intermountain beat SoCal in the final 3-0. The simulation had all four teams in the top-5 expected to make the semis.
The 55 & Over 8.0 Women had three 4-0 teams in NorCal, Hawaii, and SoCal, and then New England was the best 3-1 team. NorCal and SoCal played in the final with SoCal won it all 3-0. NorCal and SoCal were favorites in the simulation, Hawaii a solid contender.
Last, the 55 & Over 8.0 Men had four 4-0 teams in Southern, Caribbean, Midwest, and Eastern. Southern and Caribbean won their semis 2-1 and Southern won the final 2-1. Just Eastern wasn't a favorite or contender in the simulation.
Congratulations to all the champions.
Kevin - It was incredible what the strenght of schedule impact was on the final four. You've written about it, and we experienced it in action for my PNW squad. I had us and Midwest in the top four - but we both had the most brutal schedule with Midwest finishing 1-3 and us finishing 3-1 and beating Intermountain. Norcal and Sourthern had the easiest path. If we have a slightly easier schedule we get in by tie-breaker edging out the eventual champs.
ReplyDeleteShould clarify... this was for the 55+ 6.0 Men
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