ST. GEORGE: Top seed, Jeremy Atkin survived a back and forth five set semifinal match winning on the 8th match point to get to the finals of the Tonaquint Grand Slam and then won in straight sets in the heat shortened event over Mike Rankin 3-2, 3-2. In the fast format events Grand Slam events are the best of five three game sets and the semifinal between Jeremy and Richard Wigley could not have been more closely contested 0-3, 3-0, 3-2, 1-3, 3-2.
“I had four match points." Richard said after match. “I played great today but so did he. With Jeremy you just can’t give him anything. One of the match points I had was an overhead but I did not get it away from him. Jeremy got it back deep enough to force me to miss it into the net. I let this match get away from me.”
In Super Saturday Tennis there are four Grand Slams with players competing in a much tougher five set format. The hot conditions made the tournament even more grueling. In the bottom half of the drawn Mike Schijf knocked out the #2 seed Sam Moyle in the quarterfinals but succumbed to Mike Rankin’s consistent and determined play 0-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-2. Rankin’s quarterfinal versus Dan Krupicka was also a four setter which he won 3-1, 3-2, 2-3, 3-1 while Jeremy was battling and winning over Mark Schoutens 2-3, 3-2,3-1,3-2
Sam Moyle after being beaten in straight sets by Mike Schijf in the main draw won the consolations over Krupicka 3-0, 3-0, 3-2 and in the finals over Schoutens 3-0, 3-1.
This Saturday the Desert Spring Championships will mark the end of the Spring Season. Play is open to all players of all ages. Cost is $5 per player. Check in for the tournament is at 10am. For more information on Super Saturday Tennis, call (435) 652-0739 or go to www.teachingtennis.com.
FINALS: (1) Jeremy Atkin def. (5)Mike Rankin 3-2, 3-2; Semifinals (5)Mike Rankin def. (3)Mike Schijf 0-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-2; Atkin def. (4)Richard Wigley 0-3, 3-0, 3-2, 1-3, 3-2; Quarterfinals: Mike Rankin (7)Dan Krupicka 3-1, 3-2, 2-3, 3-1; (1)Atkin def. (8)Mark Schoutens 2-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-2; Schijf def. (2)Sam Moyle 3-1, 3-1, 3-1; Wigley def. (6)Al Andreas 3-0, 3-2, 3-1; R-16: Krupicka def. Carlos Morgan 3-1, 3-1; Rankin def. Chris Ashworth 3-1, 3-0; Wigley def. Steve Hojjat 3-0, 3-1; Consolation Final: Sam Moyle def. Mark Schoutens 3-0, 3-1; C-Semis Moyle def. Krupicka 3-0, 3-0, 3-2; Schoutens def. Morgan 3-1, 3-1; C-Quarters: Moyle def. Hojjat 3-1, 3-1, 3-0; Schoutens def. Andreas 3-1, 3-0, 3-1; Morgan def. Ashworth 3-0, 3-1, 3-2.
