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Old 04-20-2018, 08:13 PM   #777
Brian Swartz
Grizzled Veteran
 
Join Date: May 2006
In a few hours another year will be in the books. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have time to end-of-year stuff. For now ...

World Tour Finals

It started badly for Dudwadkar when he dropped his first round-robin match to Hsuang-tsung Teng, 6-4, 6-1. Teng hasn't been a real threat for a couple of years, but really shut him down on this day. Dudwadkar rallied to win his next two and move on to the semis, where he met King Kaspar earlier than hoped. In a match that would determine the year-end #1, Dudwadkar played well enough to win but lost thanks to failing on 11 of 12 break-point chances. Kaspar's ability to come through in the clutch makes him a champion again, a title won more between the ears than through physical ability. In the final it was King over Prince in three, an all-Kaspar matchup.

The two leading members of House Kaspar* would go on to lead France to a dominant victory over the United States in the WTC final. It's the second title in a row for the French. Last time someone other than Sri Lanka accompnlished that was 15 years ago, when the Iglar-led Czechs accomplished the feat.

*Patent Pending by Izulde


Final Country Rankings

1. Sri Lanka - 2565
2. France - 2414
3. United States - 2323
4. Spain - 2235
5. Argentina - 2177
6. Russia - 2025
7. Croatia - 1988
8. Chile - 1932
9. Italy - 1842
10. Morocco - 1825

France's back-to-back titles have brought them within striking distance. If they manage a 3-peat, and I wouldn't be against that with two of the top three players, we stand a fair chance of losing the #1 spot. After a 12-year run in which Sri Lanka was the champion at least once in any 2-year period, we have now lost in three of the past four. And with all the Kaspars coming in, things are about to get real, as they say.

Next year we'll face them early. #2 France is in Group 4 along with us, a true travesty. #9 Italy and #38 Finland fill out that draw, so making sure we get past the Italians will be vital. Chiba is fairly close to surpassing Mooljee for the second singles spot ... but isn't there yet. The sooner that happens the better.
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