RJ Tennis Community
Summer 1999

Summer 1999 looks to be a strong year for the FUBAR/RJ Tennis team. We have a good team this year and hope to make the best of it.

MATCH RECAPS

Saturday Sept 11 - Carvajal vs. Lucas

As Lucas recalls:    In what can only be describe as "an incredible test of wills, tenacity, determination, courage and heart", Carvajal and Lucas slugged out their most competitive match of the year. Lucas emerged the tired and drained victor in this iron battle of tennis giants 6-7 (6-8), 6-1, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. It was truly a match for the ages as both players poured every bit of energy into the match. Both players walked away from the match feeling good, knowing each had given it their best.

The first set was extremely as close as both players held their serve. Carvajal took advantage of a couple points difference to win the set. Lucas quoted, "I was so close to winning the first. I just missed a couple of set points." Carvajal was happy and felt a bit lucky to win it, "I was facing 4 set points against me. I just played solid, kept my head, and won the set."

The second and third sets was Lucas at his best. Elevating his game and taking advantage of a letdown in Carvajal's armor, Lucas was able to cruise through the second set.

The fourth set Carvajal had had enough and turned his game up several notches. Carvajal stated, "I knew I needed to elevate my game, otherwise I was out of here in 4 sets. I'm glad I was able to do that."

The final set was tenacious. The set score reached 4-4 with both players holding serve. Then something happened ... I believe the concentration of Carvajal slipped a bit. He lost a step, his focus let him a little, and Lucas attacked. A quick break to 5-4 then holding serve at love to win the set 6-4. It was a great win for Lucas who had lost so many matches to Carvajal in recent months.

As Carvajal recalls: It was a calm morning but the buzz was in the air. The anticipation of the much hyped tennis showdown
between the once dominant Ken Lucas and the renaissance man of Rob Carvajal, Jr.. All fall and winter long Lucas had Carvajal in the palm of his hands. Lucas could exploit Carvajal's slow footwork and deteriorating confidence. Rarely was it ever close.

Determined to not be Lucas's b----, Carvajal committed himself to a physical regiment. Although not completely disciplined, improvement could be seen. Carvajal was lighter on his feet. Running down and returning shots that used to be clear and outright
winners for Lucas. The spring proved to be the turning point for Carvajal. Feeling good and stronger than he had in a long time he took advantage of a preoccupied Lucas on the morning of his wedding and gave him a shalacking.

A couple of times here and there Lucas would get a set but Carvajal stood steadfast. Although on paper some of the match scores would appear to be one sided, the tennis was truly spectacular. Neither individual hates to concede a single point. It is all or nothing in this growing and exciting rivalry.

So the day of the big match arrived and both had their big guns ready to fire. The first point of the match proved to be a foreshadow of what was to come. Boom!  Lucas blasts a serve to a stunned Carvajal. The next point though, Carvajal made it clear what was going to happen if Lucas didn't get his warheads in. "Crack," Carvajal returned the serve whereupon Lucas smacked it back. Both exchanged forehands for a bit with Carvajal winning that point but losing the game.

The first set was fought hard and both sides dug deep. Neither wanting to get behind in this first of many to come five set epics. However, Carvajal gets broken and Lucas is serving out the match at 5-4, 40-15.  Clearly the Carvajal fans are in dismay. The Truro stadium filled to capacity looking on as Lucas serves to close out the match. A booming serve with a short return by Carvajal. Lucas hits a seemingly devestating approach shot out wide to Carvajal's forehand. Carvajal hit a floating return whereupon the formidable Lucas trounces upon the net to smack that ball in for a winner. Carvajal guesses and runs
out wide to the backhand side. Lucas sees that and hits behind Carvajal. The ball floats long and is called out by a delighted and renewed Carvajal. However the score is still 40-30. Somehow Carvajal breaks serve and playes a tightly contested tie-breaker winning the first set 8-6 in that tie-breaker.

With Lucas down one set he becomes all the more determined to get himself into the match He felt robbed and rightly so. The Carvajal fans new that Lucas choked and their player was lucky indeed to win that first set. Lucas holds serve and Carvajal jumps out to a 40-love lead on his serve. Feeling cocky and in control he went for his serves but Lucas was inexorable and would not fade away. Lucas demoralizes Carvajal with a resounding break and easily holds serve again to consolidate his break. 3-0 and Carvajal jumps out to a 40-15 lead yet again. Feeling as though he was playing well but just a momentary lapse. Lucas does it again and trounces upon Carvajal for a 4-0 lead and easily holds serve. "I remember thinking to myself if I could just hold serve one time and break him one time, I thought I could get back into the set and sneak this one out too," Carvajal later commented. Carvajal does infact, hold serve and then takes Lucas to a deuce game. However, Lucas would have no part of Carvajal's tactics. He stood firm and closed out the set to tie up the match.

The third set was close. Carvajal loses one service game and the set as well, 4-6. There was no way Carvajal was going to go down in four sets. "I just thought I should be winning this match," Carvajal stated in clear dismay, "However, Lucas wouldn't budge an inch." Determined to pick up his play Carvajal; returns the favor with a clear and dominant set of 6-1 over Lucas. Now the crowd is going wild. There is no clear winner in sight.

The fifth and deciding set is close. Great rallys and hitting from both sides. 4-4 in the fifth. Lucas holds firm and is fresh. Carvajal caves a bit loses his service game. "I knew it was going to be tough for me when he broke my game. He was serving too good
for me to count on breaking him," Carvajal stated. And he was right. Lucas jumped out to a 40-15 lead and Carvajal hit a ball which floated past the baseline. Lucas threw his arms into the air and a huge smile came upon his face. The two went to the
net and exchanged warm and friendly handshakes along with compliments for one another. The crowd was at their feet in the appreciation for the great tennis that was played and for the most excellent sportsmanship demonstrated by both.

A match for the annals.

Thursday Sept 3 - Carvajal vs. Lucas

Some more bashing of Lucas was taken out by Carvajal.  Carvajal won the match 6-3, 6-2.  Lucas is realizing that the person who wins the match is the one who makes less unforced errors.  It's not the one who makes the most winners.  Lucas is the king with the unforced error.  Lucas quotes, "I can really make unforced errors when I want to and not want to.  I'm capable of playing very well, but then my concentration and form leave me.  That's the worst, when I simply hit the ball out."  Carvajal had a steady game ... and appears to be looking forward to getting Lucas on his side of the net for the upcoming Fall USTA league.

Most disappointing to Lucas during the match was breaking the natural gut strings on his racquet.  This was the fourth outing for the natural gut.  Natural gut compares to nylon/synthetic string in this way:  It's like sex without a condom.

Saturday August 28 - Carvajal vs. Lucas

The bashing continues.  In an unprecedented match, Lucas jumped to a 5-3 lead in the first set.  Lucas' game was clicking, unforced errors were at a minimum, and Carvajal was being run ragged.   However, Carvajal decided to clamp down and win the set 7-5.  Four straight games as the Lucas serve and groundstrokes went belly up, and Carvajal donned his game face.

The second set was typical Lucas/Carvajal with Rob playing solid consistent tennis winning the match 7-5, 6-0.  Lucas was quoted, "This match was a lot closer than most of them.  Most games were played to deuce or 40-30 on his serve.  I was happy with a lot of my shots.  I just didn't hit enough of them."  Carvajal was asked about Lucas' comments, "The games were a lot closer.  I remember only one game I won on my serve at love.   Lucas is starting to find his range.  I'm going to have to continue to elevate my game to keep one step ahead of him."

An additional set was played with Carvajal winnig 6-0 again.  It was an unprecedented self destruction of the Lucas Tennis game.   Lucas can only hope that his game can only improve.

Monday August 23 - Carvajal / Anderson vs. Lucas / Mark

An afternoon doubles game turned out to be a fight for survival.  The teams of Rob Carvajal and Ken Anderson started slow but took the victory from Kenny Lucas and Mark, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.  Carvajal and Anderson played steady and more consistently than Lucas/Mark.  To their credit, Lucas was playing the back-hand side and working on his topspin back hand.  Mark started well, but the second two sets lost his touch until it was too late in the third.  A good match that ended in the dark.

Saturday August 21 - Carvajal vs. Lucas

Another nail biter of a match!  Lucas and Carvajal tee'd it up once again to test each other's skills, competiveness, desire, determination, guts and stamina.  Carvajal escaped yet again with another win 2-6, 6-1, 7-5.  It was a seriously contested match.  The opening set Lucas completely dominated every aspect of the set.  Carvajal was off balance by deep ground strokes and few unforced errors from Lucas.  Lucas commented on the first set, "Man, I was really seeing the ball well today.  I was concentrating and very relaxed."   Carvajal put together his game as Lucas' game came down a bit in the second.   Carvajal rolled to win the second set.  Carvajal quotes, "I didn't know what hit me in the first set.  Lucas wasn't missing a shot.  I knew I had to raise my level of tennis or get wiped off the court.  I knew the 3rd set was going to be tough."  And the 3rd set was tough for both players.  Carvajal started serving the set.  Both players held their ground until Carvajal was up 6-5.   Lucas had to hold serve to get to the tie breaker.

At this point, Lucas was breathing extremely heavy and was honestly near exhaustion.  It was a tough way to lose the game.  Carvajal came away with a well earned victory.  Lucas was overheard mumbling something about "got to get in shape" as he left the court.

Sunday August 15 - Carvajal vs. Lucas

Thinking that the previous morning was a lucky break for Carvajal, Lucas wanted a rematch the next morning.  The first set was a good one with lots of great tennis being played.   However, Carvajal was the more consistent played winning the first set 6-4.  It was a great dual.  Both players were playing well.

The second set was very even as well.  However, due to the Carvajal teaching schedule the set could not be finished with Carvajal up one break leading 3-2.   Lucas was having too many unforced errors, and Carvajal was hitting good winners.   Perhaps it's fortunate for Lucas that the set was not completed.

Saturday August 14 - Carvajal vs. Lucas

Yet another dual that ended with a Carvajal victory 6-0, 1-6, 7-5.   It was a lopsided match the first two sets.  Lucas came onto the court after hitting the ball with his brother Phil for 1 hour earlier.  Lucas was still in practice mode as Carvajal unrelentedly mashed the ball around Lucas. 

Lucas woke up in the second set, concentrated and returned the favor to Carvajal.  Decisive deep ground-strokes kept Carvajal backpedaling and defensive.   Lucas swarmed the net and put the ball where no ball has gone before.

The third set was well-played and even.  Lucas jumped out to a 2-0 lead, then 3-1, soon to be 5-4 and serving for the match.  Then something happened.   Lucas got tired.  The earlier match with Phil and the long three setter running down Carvajal's well placed shot took it's toll.  Carvajal broke when he needed to as Lucas was bent over gasping for air in the 95+ degrees.  Carvajal won 7-5 in the third with little resistance from Lucas.

Some night earlier Carvajal vs. Lucas

A Lucas victory 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a match that ended the Lucas drought and the Carvajal victory parade.