Papa vs Costas Av. 6-3,6-3....
written by Yiannos Trillides , Δεκέμβριος 09, 2009

I just caught the last 3 games (and a bonus 3rd set that was 4-4 when i left) but it felt that i got a good picture of the match...

Papa looked very sharp and hit the ball really hard with pace and depth.... Costas was fighting hard and scrambling back alot of (otherwise) 'winners' but George was really solid and finished points in the 3rd or 4th attempt when necessary.... Costas was trying to change the 'game plan' and attack the net but to no avail as George's passing shots were right 'on target' and Costas had problems either getting to the ball or handling the pace.... Still, Papa was not keeping this high level of play continuasly and commited numerous 'cheap' UFE and with some hustle and bustle points that Costas was getting, he had some oppenings and had his chances to turn around a 5-1 2nd set trailing. But at 5-3 15-15 and after a double by Papa, he largely did not call a 2nd serve that barely caught the line, missed the return, missed the next one also (cheap) for 40-15, while George won the final short rally....for a 'relativelly easy' W....

All the best in rounds to come......

In this group i feel that every game counts, since ALL 4 players have chances for the semis....The 2 set Win for George is a clear advantage for him, but i see a probable triple 'isovathmia' either with 3 players with 1 win or with 3 players with 2 wins.....

Papa vs Conan
written by George Papa , Δεκέμβριος 09, 2009

Firstly congrats to Conan for putting in a spirited fight, and retrieving some unbelievable would be winners! Having struggled of late w/ my tennis I felt good today my, ground strokes and overall play was far better than it has been in the last few weeks. The match was very competitive, yet played in a very amicable manner. I look forward to more highly competitive matches in the masters, and good luck to all other tennistas.

George aka Zum

Papa vs Conan
written by Costas Avraam , Δεκέμβριος 09, 2009

Superb performance George and one I enjoyed even whilst being on the other side of the net! I would go as far as to say the scoreline was flattering to me as I had to scramble for every point I won with the exception of the 3 doubles you served in the second set it was the only possible way I found to break your serve in the match. You were solid all round, your serve was very good except for that one game. Your forehand was the best I have seen it, come to think of it your backhand wasn't too bad either. You were very stingy on errors and punished everything short and your net play was impressive.I think the only area I may have finished on top was the drop shots. I feel pretty good with my performance, I did little wrong out there but George was just too strong and consistent. I have to mention this, I did take the consolation 3rd set 7-5 but I had to play my heart out whilst George's intensity had droped once he had the job done in straight sets. Thanks for a very good game Georgie, you put on a MASTERFUL performance and it was great to see such an exhibition of tennis from up close. I have my work cut out for me now but I will be looking at my performance in the Ladder to draw some extra encouragement. I lost to Charis in the first match of the group stage but went on to win the event. I hope I can repeat that performance and if I continue to play the same standard as today I may have a chance. It's a very tough group and there are a lot of great players in the event. The eventual winner can justifyably call himself THE CHAMPION of ATPCY. Good luck to all other participants.

Rambo vs The Doc
written by Mark Davoisne , Δεκέμβριος 11, 2009

Charis began the match very well and was leading 2/0 with 2 or 3 opportunities to go for 3/0 but he didn't manage to make it and I finally woke up, came back in the game and hold the set 6/2 by winning 6 straight games.

The 2nd set began in the same manner. I was ahead 2/0 with an early break but Charis put his level higher up to make the 2nd set very tough. He broke me back and we engaged a battle on each game until 4/4. At this time, I finally broke him and hold my serve in the same breath... 6/4

It was a match played in difficult weather conditions (windy and hazy)... but in a very nice atmosphere.

Hopefully this Fuc*** rain will stop soon so that we can proceed the Masters

A real dog fight!
written by George Papa , Δεκέμβριος 11, 2009

Playing at Eleon is always an adventure, and yesterday was no different! I got to the courts a little stressed out, cuz during the day my son Yian fell very ill with high fever, and was feeling pretty shitty all around. So, the match started with a break for me on Sideris serve, then next thing u know, I'm down 5-1 0-30 on my serve. The realization came that if i was going to win the match, it would probably have to be in 3 sets, and I had no intention of hanging around Eleon that long! So, I changed my game a little, became alot more patient on my shots, and actually started using my slice to get me out of trouble. It worked, i came back from the dead, and won the set 8-6 in the tie-break! From then on I was on a high, all my shots were effective, and i felt very comfortable around the court. Sideris was probably downbeat bout losing the 1st set, and I pretty easily finshed the 2ns set 6-2 in not much time.
Sideris is a fighting bull, he bought back some unbelievable ball last night, he ran and ran like there was no tmo! He had excellent defensive lobs, and his backhand slice is probably the steadiest of ATPCY.
looking forward to some future battles with Sideris, as well as w/ the remaining Masters tennistas!
Now time for some Belgium beers, and soem nice relax time over the weeekend.
Laters from Brussels,

George aka Zum

...
written by Costas Avraam , Ιανουάριος 18, 2010

I want to thank the Ironman for such a HARD match. Surprisingly and considering Nic and me have made so many semis and QFs, we had never met in a tournament before, so I was really looking forward to this match for some time, especially since he defeated Antonis recently which showed how tough he is. The rain delays were unbelievable, there were at least 4 earlier attempts to play this match and we nearly didn't proceed with this either as the rain started just as we finished our warm-up. Stubbornly we pushed through it and were rewarded with some sunshine and perfect conditions by the end of it. Iron is a metal very difficult to bend and Nic, is exactly that by name and by trade. He refused to bend and even at 0-5 in the first set he fought hard and took 2 games before I closed it out 6-2. His momentum carried on and after having 3 maybe 4 opportunities to break him for 3-1 in the 2nd set he held on with 2 brilliant shots, one off a perfect lob from a very good approach shot from me and one that won him the game that swept the side line off a fabulous off forehand whilst falling on the back foot passing shot. He eventually went on to win the set 6-3 with excellent attacking tennis. Set 3 was a very nerving and tight affair. He broke me and held for 2-0 but I fought back to break and we were on serve till 4-4. I played a very good service game to hold for 5-4 and tiredness and cramps were adding to my problems. In the last game of the match on Nic's serve I attacked every short ball and every 1st and 2nd serve (in an effort to finish the match ASAP). I think the pressure and the tightness of the situation may have got to Nic a little bit. I made no errors and approached with good pace and angles and Nic provided the necessary errors to hand me the win. Match lasted near 2 1/2 hours of solid hitting, it was an extremely tough and competitive match with great shots from Nic and from me. The difference in the end was my net game and around 6 net cords that all went my way as I pushed to keep the ball low and sharp over the net at all times.
A very enjoyable match that was played in great spirit, frienship and sportmanship and it was a pity one of us had to lose. Nicolas is a very good player and with no doubt will contest many more Semis and finals. I wish him a very successful 2010 with perhaps a title to show and look forward to another encounter.