RJ Tennis Community
Fall 2000

MATCH RECAPS

October 28, 2000 Lucas vs Carvajal #3,234

The setting was Saddlebrook Tennis Academy hard-tru court #4 on a warm and moist Saturday afternoon. The contest was a 3 out of 5 set match where the winner takes earns bragging rights for the Saddlebrook Fall 2000 Championship. Both gladiators practiced extensively through out the week and were both wondering who's game had improved the most.

Carvajal flips his racquet and wins the serve. He walks back to the baseline in his newly confident stride as he has the previous 3 matches in his back pocket. Carvajal looks for his 4th consecutive win over Lucas. Lucas walks back to his baseline wondering if he has what it takes to wrestle a much needed victory from Carvajal to stem the tide of loses. Lucas quotes, "I walked back to the baseline just hoping to make the match competitive. I didn't want to get crushed again."

Carvajal jumps quickly holding serve and then breaking serve for a 2-0 lead in the first set. Carvajal quotes, "I was thinking to myself that Kenny better pick up his game or he's going to be very frustrated." Kenny is feeling ok, realizing he made a couple errors in the games, and just needs to play within himself to be competitive.

Then the "Kenny Tidal Wave" came to shore. Lucas rolls off 8 consecutive games to take the match lead 6-2, 2-0 and feels very good about the situation. Kenny quotes, "My forehand and much improved volleys were clicking. I played within myself and did a better job setting points up." Carvajal's fierce competitive side came out in the 2nd set, but Lucas was able to clinch the set 6-3. Carvajal quotes, "I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was the Lucas of 'old'. I was playing well, Lucas was just playing a little better."

Rob's back was against the wall being down 2 sets to none. Not blinking a bit, Carvajal starts out the 3rd set determined as ever not to get a donut in the match. Carvajal and Lucas battled out the 3rd set as the heat and humidity started to take it's toll on the players. Carvajal's training regiment of swimming and running was paying off as he kept sprinting for ball after ball. Lucas felt good as well, feeling himself in a tennis groove from the previous weeks play.

Carvajal found himself down 3-5 in the 3rd set with Kenny serving. Carvajal quotes, "I was thinking, 'No problem', I'll just break serve." He did, then held serve to tie the match at 5-5, saving 2 match points in the game. Kenny was shaking his head a little bit for failing to close the match out. Lucas didn't want to go to a 4th set.

Lucas held serve after being down 15-40. The serve-volley was working well. Lucas was up 6-5. It was Rob's turn to stay in the match.

Rob served on the sunny side of the court. A terrific game ensued with Carvajal saving all but one of the match points he faced. Lucas wins the Fall 2000 Saddlebrook Championship 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.

Carvajal quotes, "I played well today. I felt competitive and enjoyed the match. I'll continue to train and get back in the winner's circle in no time." Lucas quotes, "It's good to get the monkey off my back. Carvajal had bested me the previous 3 matches and I was ready for a win. Camp really improved my volleys and has helped me mentally. I'm looking forward to playing on the same side of the court for our Winter USTA Doubles League. I believe our opponents are in trouble."

October 15, 2000  Carvajal vs Lucas

An historic and dramatic victory for Rob "I'mDaMan" Carvajal in last weeks epic match up against long time nemesis Kenny "IUsedToBeDaMan" Lucas.

Carvajal came out with "guns blazing" as he hustled his way to a first set victory 6-3. Playing his usual steady game, Carvajal was able to answer everything Lucas had to offer. Blistering serves, hard ground strokes and the occasional net play by Lucas was thwarted time and time again. Carvajal looked good.

The second set was played at an equally high level. However, Lucas was able to use one break to take the set 6-3. Lucas felt better and decided that he could win the 3rd. Amazement was crowding Lucas' head as he watched Carvajal run down blistering forehands that should have been winners. Lucas quotes, "Rob "Backboard" Carvajal just kept getting the ball back in play. A lot of his shots didn't have much on them, but they always came back. I was forced to hit harder and go for more of an angle on each shot until I missed."

The third set started out even as the titans exchanged breaks, with Lucas taking a lead 4-3. Carvajal's conditioning and mental toughness aided him in staying consistent and winning crucial points. Carvajal took the 3rd set in strong fashion with a break, and won the match 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Carvajal quotes, "This is a huge win for me, I'm ecstatic. I feel like all the hard work, the conditioning, the mental toughness, everything is coming together for me now. I've taken the last two matches from Lucas. However, Lucas isn't easy to beat even on his off-day. I know I need to continue working extremely hard, because I know Lucas will. Right now I'm thinking ahead to our grass court match up at Saddlebrook Tennis Academy next week ... it's going to be very very very tough."