Zulia-Santander Open 2012 :: Entry Roll and Results

[Hanseatic Republics]

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The Zulia-Santander Open is held annually at Embarcadero Paredes C.T. in Embarcadero, Monterrey. It is the premier clay court tennis tournament in the world and second annual Grand Slam of the year, held usually in between June and July. It is one of the largest events in tennis and the most watched Monterrey based event in Europe. Due to the slower playing surface that clay courts present, coupled with the five-set men's singles matches without tiebreakers, the event is widely considered to be one of the most physically demanding tennis tournaments on the tour.

Tennis was pioneered in Monterrey by Augustin Diaz (A Frescanian scholar who spent time in Cantigny and Germania) which led to the creation of several tennis clubs and several tennis legends in Monterrey. This would lead to his creation of Santander's Cup, a cup that would earn it's namesake by staying in Santander as foreign nationals struggled to compete on the clay courts. Challengers would win the cup, but have to hand it over to the next winner, when they were challenged. Queues for challenges resulted in the creation of the yearly open in 1906 and the engraving of names on the cup. In total there are currently five Santander's cups, as each cup maintains 25 names. In 1927, winners desired to maintain a keepsake for winning, as a year later they'd often have to cede the cup to the next winner. A common collection piece for participants was a silver chalice during the open formal dinner. This lead to the Zuliano Golden Chalice for first time winners. Participants to this day, keep the silver chalice they use during the formal. Those who won twice, won a silver plate. Four time winners a golden plate. Wins afterwards only resulted in more golden plates. Only two players have ever won a golden plate. Both have won the golden plate twice. Together the awards are referred to as Santander's Cup, Plates and Chalice. Some have suggested a desire to collect "Santander's Kitchen Cabinet" in winning all possible trophies at the open.

This year's Open begins on July 9th. Athletes must still declare their participation, despite previous play this season's tour in other opens.

Current Men's World Rankings 1.) Markus Lindbäck (SUI) 2.) Michael Merdes (FRA) 3.) Dorin Mohailov (ALT) 4.) Issac Hare (HAV) 5.) Marmaduke Carlile (ENG) 6.) Archie Riddick (CAN) 7.) Mozes Fabo (BOL) 8.) Jørgen Strand (DAN)

Current Women's World Rankings 1.) Claire Meadows (CAN) 2.) Ilena Lukashenko (ALT) 3.) Antonia Jordansson (SUI) 4.) Ada Russell (ENG) 5.) Benedikte Kristansen (DAN) 6.) Sarah Penter (FRA) 7.) Zoe Hunter (HAV) 8.) Dorina Barbara (BOL)

Applications to join must be finished before July 9th at 12:00 (Implarian Standard Time Zone).
Ex.
Markus Lindbäck (SUI - Götarike) —Men's Singles
Antonia Jordansson (SUI - Götarike) —Women's Singles

 

[Thaumantica]

Archie Riddick (CAN -

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antignia) —Men's Singles
Claire Meadows (CAN -

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antignia) —Women's Singles

 

[Great Engellex]

Royal Association of All Engellex Lawn Tennis and Croquet

The governing committee of the Royal Association must be insistent upon the titles of Marmaduke Carlile, Baron Carlile of Burrell, and Lady Ada Russell of Stevenage, being fully and publicly recognised at the Occidentia Open as instructed by the Engellexic Constitution respecting Peerages of the Realm of Great Engellex, for their participation to succeed.

It is sincerely hoped that Engellexic laws and customs can be respected and accommodated.

 

[Serbovia]

David Reichardt (CES - Confederate Eastern States) - Men's Singles
Maria Magbantay (CES - Confederate Eastern States) - Women's Singles

 

[Hanseatic Republics]

Embarcadero Paredes C.T.
Our tennis club has received a query upon the existence of an Occidental Open. No such Open currently or historically exists on the tour. As such, our club which has had the highly esteemed privilege of hosting the Zulia-Santander Open since 1906 and believes that there is either a strange misconception or error on behalf of the Royal Association of All Engellex Lawn Tennis and Croquet and feels it is necessary to state that Embarcadero Paredes C.T. has only hosted the Zulia-Santander Open on a worldly stage. As the Zulia-Santander Open is the largest sporting event west of the Thaumantic we believe this to either be a political statement or a passive aggressive maneuver in which to ensure your athletes receive proper title, in which case then proper titles will be applied to our Open. Such posturing would not be kindly received if such is the case. We do not believe your message to be in ill-will and therefore offer the current policy on titles and personal signage at Embarcadero Paredes C.T.

Embarcadero Paredes C.T. has a long history in respecting the formal rules of Tennis and approves of the usage of titles that are considered proper forms of address when addressing the athletes in question. Therefore our P.A. systems and chair umpires have always and will continue shall keep this in mind in respecting titles such as doctorates, sirs, presidents, royals and nobles. Our displays and signage however do not accommodate the usage of titles for any athlete. Special displays were also not in use during the Cantigian Open earlier this year, and we suggest that if the Royal Association of All Engellex Lawn Tennis and Croquet please open this query upon the beginning of the season if it is to be demanded in so that with the collective Grand Slams as to allow for proper time to accommodate such changes. The lack of such signage has never before been of problem for the Royal Association of All Engellex Lawn Tennis and Croquet and such posturing only serves to hurt the athletes in question as failure to commit will only impact their standing or ranking on the tour.

We hope that this is only a misunderstanding and that Engellexic athletes will participate in the Open. As such we feel it is only polite to suggest a reminder to Engellexic athletes that upon entering Monterrey, that athletes document the proper reasoning for entrance when clearing customs. The suggestion of an Occidental Open, could possibly see deportation as the Government of Monterrey and the Government of Frescania may find it an act of deception in listing false reasoning for entrance into the country. As such as a precaution, we urge that the Royal Association of All Engellex Lawn Tennis and Croquet use proper names for our Open, the Zulia-Santander Open in so that athletes from your body may not find themselves confused and unable to enter the country.

Thank you.

EDIT: OOC, I added some history for fun to the tournament on the opening post.

 

[Great Engellex]

Royal Association of All Engellex Lawn Tennis and Croquet

I protest against the last sentiment of the Embarcadero Paredes C.T., and will lay the accusation against it of the measure of stirring up agitation against the Royal Association of All Engellex Lawn Tennis and Croquet in order to achieve wide interest on the political motivations of the Monterrey Commonwealth Ministries. We treat the sentiment as an aggression upon popular European cultural custom and condemn it, else we should have to comply with such reasoning and suggest Engellexic tournaments prohibit nationalities that do not recognise the Engellexic convention of naming the immediate continent Preuti-Borussia – a suggestion which, we sincerely hope, you will acknowledge as absurd.

The resistance of the Royal Association of All Engellex Lawn Tennis and Croquet should simply be seen as discharging a Crown Subject’s duty in coming to the succour of the freedoms of Engellexic culture and customs. The Royal Association is not for the retrenching a hair’s breadth of the co-operation already established between the sporting nations of Europe, but it does indeed reserve the right to demand that such relationships should not be used to further political views.

This is no light matter, for it opens a debate on the principles of European sport and the relation they have with political opinion.

However, in meeting the immediate concern, the language of the Embarcadero Paredes C.T. and the manner in which the hosting nation of the Occidentia Open has tried to maintain its will had been most offensive; and, acting on the advice of the Royal Association of All Engellex Lawn Tennis and Croquet, Marmaduke Carlile, Baron Carlile of Burrell, and Lady Ada Russell of Stevenage have conveyed their desire to not attend the tournament until their rights can be fully respected.

Chief Executive, Andrew E. Herrington-Foster

 

[Natal]

Dorin Mihailov (ALT - Altai) - Men's singles;
Ileana Lukashenko (ALT - Altai) - Women's singles;

OOC:
Its Mihailov, not Mohailov and Ileana not Ilena;

 

[Hanseatic Republics]

Royal Association of All Engellex Lawn Tennis and Croquet

I protest against the last sentiment of the Embarcadero Paredes C.T., and will lay the accusation against it of the measure of stirring up agitation against the Royal Association of All Engellex Lawn Tennis and Croquet in order to achieve wide interest on the political motivations of the Monterrey Commonwealth Ministries. We treat the sentiment as an aggression upon popular European cultural custom and condemn it, else we should have to comply with such reasoning and suggest Engellexic tournaments prohibit nationalities that do not recognise the Engellexic convention of naming the immediate continent Preuti-Borussia – a suggestion which, we sincerely hope, you will acknowledge as absurd.

The resistance of the Royal Association of All Engellex Lawn Tennis and Croquet should simply be seen as discharging a Crown Subject’s duty in coming to the succour of the freedoms of Engellexic culture and customs. The Royal Association is not for the retrenching a hair’s breadth of the co-operation already established between the sporting nations of Europe, but it does indeed reserve the right to demand that such relationships should not be used to further political views.

This is no light matter, for it opens a debate on the principles of European sport and the relation they have with political opinion.

However, in meeting the immediate concern, the language of the Embarcadero Paredes C.T. and the manner in which the hosting nation of the Occidentia Open has tried to maintain its will had been most offensive; and, acting on the advice of the Royal Association of All Engellex Lawn Tennis and Croquet, Marmaduke Carlile, Baron Carlile of Burrell, and Lady Ada Russell of Stevenage have conveyed their desire to not attend the tournament until their rights can be fully respected.

Chief Executive, Andrew E. Herrington-Foster

Embarcadero Peredes C.T.
There is a far difference in naming convention and proper names. Zulia-Santander Open is a proper name, regardless of any naming convention that the people and cultural of Engellex claim to, a proper name does not change due to culture. If anything Engellex is introducing cultural imperialism in demanding we accept their changes to the name. The issue has never been political until the Royal Association of All Engellex Lawn Tennis and Croquet raised the point. No changes to our policies will be made. It is unfortunate that your athletes would rather succumb to a drop in the rankings in support of the Royal Association of All Engellex Lawn Tennis and Croquet's attempt at imperialism. Our names and brand are over 100 years old and will not change on the basis of Old World trends that believe in the racial subjugation of our people.

 

[Potenza]

Francesco Aldi (POT - Potenza) —Men's Singles
Silvia Albano (POT - Potenza) —Women's Singles

 

[Northern Cooperative Unions]

Mozes Farbo (BOL) - Men's Singles
Dorina Barbara (BOL) - Women's Singles

 

[Hanseatic Republics]

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Today's Spotlight on Claire Meadows, Center Court...

Claire Meadows def. Silvia Albano (6-3, 5-7, 6-3) —In what proved to be a challenge for the always gracious world number one, Claire Meadows, the most famous commoner in all of Oceania showed her might in defeating Potenza's Silvia Albano. Albano, playing in her first major, had her serve broken on her first two serve games, but came back strong at the end of the first set, braking Meadows and rushing out to an early four games to nil lead in the second set. Meadows would respond in classic Cannie fighting spirit, forcing the second set to 5-7. The final set was again all Meadows, as her ball placement in combination with a her strong two handed backhand dominated the Potenzan as she broke Albano's serve twice, and placed a solid backhanded volley past the Potenzan in the final game winning the match to a large crowd of cheers. Being the opening match of the women's tournament, pre-match festivities delayed the game by 30 minutes with a celebration of women's rights and suffrage in Monterrey and the impact women have had on the frontier of Monterrey, including involvement in gangs, missions, and even law enforcement.

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Cantignia's Claire Meadows in her post game-press conference​

Men's Table, as of July 9th 20:00

Dorin Mihailov (ALT) #3 — 9 - 7 - 7 David Reichardt (CES) #NR — 7 - 5 - 5
Mozes Farbo (BOL) #7 — 1 - 7 - 2 - 7 - 4 Archie Riddick (CAN) #6 — 6 - 5 - 6 - 5 - 6	Dorin Mihailov (ALT) #3 Archie Riddick (CAN) #6
Markus Lindbäck (SUI) #1 — 4 - 3 - 7 - 6 - 6 Rodrigo Mercado (MON) #NR — 6 - 6 - 5 - 3 - 4	Markus Lindbäck (SUI) #1 Herculez Corral (MON) #NR
Francesco Aldi (POT) #NR — 4 - 5 - 2 Herculez Corral (MON) #NR — 6 - 7 - 6

Women's Table as of July 10th 20:00

Maria Magbantay (CES) #NR — 6 - 5 - 5 Ileana Lukashenko (ALT) #2 — 3 - 7 - 7
Claire Meadows (CAN) #1 — 6 - 5 - 6 Silvia Albano (POT) #NR — 3 - 7 - 3	Ileana Lukashenko (ALT) #2 Claire Meadows (CAN) #1
Liliana Domínguez (MON) #NR — 8 - 6 - 5 Dorina Barbara (BOL) #8 — 6 - 8 - 7	Dorina Barbara (BOL) #8 Antonia Jordansson (SUI) #3
Antonia Jordansson (SUI) #3 — 6 - 5 - 8 Julieta Alba (MON) #NR — 3 - 7 - 6

 

[Thaumantica]

Team Meadows Camp (Official Press Release)

Silvia Albano was an inspiring opponent for Miss Meadows, and she would like to express how excited she is to meet the Potenzan Superstar again in the near future. Claire believes that she learned very much from this tennis match, enduring through the grace and technical mastery presented by Silvia Albano to become a greater player in the long term, and with any luck, better prepared for upcoming draws at the Zulia-Santander Open 2012.

Additionally, Miss Meadows is so grateful for the opportunity to compete in Monterrey, and found the pre-match festivities entirely empowering as a young female in this diverse global community.

 

[Hanseatic Republics]

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A summary of events at the Zulia-Santander Open

Round two, Men's Singles

Dorin Mihailov (ALT) #3 vs Archie Riddick (CAN) #6

Mihailov entered this round as the clear favorite. Both had challenging first round opponents but Riddick's lasted the full five sets. In this hot Monterrey sun, that's not easy. Not easy at all. Riddick's legs didn't look for the better either, especially early in the match. Mihailov didn't have to place his shots particularly well to win the first set 6-2. However, Riddick wouldn't give up and it looked like the soreness in his legs slowly began to work itself out and that led to a very competitive second set. Mihailov still wasn't placing his shots well and in the end, that would ultimately led to a break as Riddick would win this set 7-5 . At this point Riddick just didn't have the power to match up with Mihailov though and Mihailov made the previous trial look easy with a 6-4, 6-1 third and fourth set. Riddich put up a good fight but we can't help but wonder if his first round troubles put him in a precarious condition for the match up against world number three, Dorin Mihailov.
​

Mihailov def. Riddick (6-2, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1)​

Markus Lindbäck (SUI) #1 vs Herculez Corral (MTY) #NR

This side of the table seemed decidedly easy, at least on paper, for world number one Markus Lindbäck, as there weren't any opponents that held any ranking. A true testament to how difficult the clay courts can be in that many ranked players opted to not enroll, or worse, weren't healthy enough play on the slower surface. However, the lack of tested opponents can be very deceiving as it makes each of these players very unknown quantities. Lindbäck said he spent the vast majority of his down time reviewing match tape from Corral's first round victory over the Potenzan, Francesco Aldi. He said that he felt he saw some weaknesses, but that it would be difficult to tell if the same holes in Corral's game would still exist in the second round. Sure enough it seemed as though they did, as Lindbäck wasted no time with Corral in the first two sets where he hammered 6-1, 6-1 victories. It would be the third set victory that proved to be elusive as it appeared that Corral seemed to find a way to adjust his game to figure out how to repel Lindbäck's attacks. Coming to the net for several volleys, Corral managed to steal the third set, 7-5 forcing a fourth set, but Lindbäck fought back brilliantly. Utilizing several good lobs to force Corral back to the base line and win a few cross court winners. The end was never in doubt, as Lindbäck won the last set, 6-3 to meet the Altai, Dorin Mihailov in the final.
​

Lindbäck def. Corral (6-1, 6-1, 5-7, 6-3)​

​

Round two, Women's Singles

Ileana Lukashenko (ALT) #2 vs Claire Meadows (CAN) #1

The showdown that everyone was waiting for would come in the semi-finals rather than the finals. Such was they way the draw was at Embarcadero Paredes, this match would feature everything that the Cantigian Open Final would give us and perhaps a little more as both ladies showed extraordinary spirit in the way they handled their game. The game would be opened by Lukashenko who showed just how heavily her serve would be for the smaller Meadows, who had to contend with over 100 mph first services the entire match. Meadows would be broken in her first game putting her down 2-0 and then 3-0 very quickly and she really couldn't keep up as the girls couldn't break each others serve the rest of the set. This was very odd for the women's game because of how often we see serves broken in comparison to the men, and especially on clay where usually the serves don't play as large of a role. Yet Lukashenko was winning her games outright, often Meadows would be winning her serves with several points ending near 40-30. The result would be that Lukashenko would win the first set 6-3. The dominance of having serve continued as the match progressed. Meadows would be delivered heartbreak though as her own serve would finally be broken, and she'd fall behind 5-6 to Lukashenko, who delivered a screaming forehand winner into the corner. This left Meadows having to break Lukashenko to just continue onward and she did just that. With strong backhand return service winners to take the game and tie the set at 6-6, the quick shift in emotion really seemed to take a toll on Lukashenko who would then fall in the set 6-8. Meadows from this point would not look back, the third and decisive set featured several breaks but Meadows would not be stopped after her brief flirt with exit from the tournament as she'd win the last set 6-3 to put her name on the ticket for the finals.​

Meadows def. Lukashenko (3-6, 8-6, 6-3)​

Dorina Barbara (BOL) #8 vs Antonia Jordansson (SUI) #3

The final match of the night, they'd have to follow the emotionally fought battle between Meadows and Lukashenko which is turning into quite the rivalry. Yet the unequivocal world number three would not have too many problems with Ms. Barbara from Boliatur who was greeted to jeers and boos by the Embarcadero Paredes fans, clearly upset with her country's latest involvement in the world. Jordansson would be supported by a very partisan crowd which cheered every point she won. It seemed that perhaps it was emotionally difficult for Ms. Barbara as she'd fall in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. Jordansson offered a touching post match commentary on the situation, "I'm sure it's quite difficult for her because she is not her country. She didn't make those choices and she is just here to play tennis. I hope I meet her again when perhaps the world situation is a little better for her and her family." The final puts Jordansson in a place to earn the number two ranking if she can defeat Meadows; however, she hasn't done this since they both played each with other on the junior circuit.​

Jordansson def. Barbara (6-2, 6-3)​

The finals are set!
Dorin Mihalov #3 vs Markus Lindbäck #1

and

Claire Meadows #1 vs Antonia Jordansson #3​

 

[Hanseatic Republics]

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A summary of the Finals at the Zulia-Santander Open

Round three, Finals Men's Singles

Dorin Mihalov #3 vs Markus Lindbäck #1

Lindbäck and Mihalov opened play that featured the first match up between Dorin Mihalov and Markus Lindbäck. The power player Mihalov seemed happy to get as far as he did hoped he could continue his winning ways. Yet ultimately the surface appeared to be his enemy early on. What Cantignia's Riddick didn't have in legs, Lindbäck, the Suionian did. Baseline shots dominated the first set as Lindbäck did a great job breaking service a few times and won 6-2. Mihalov not to be completely out done, changed his strategy a bit and came to the net. Fantasy volley play led him to an early 3-0 lead, but Lindbäck shot back to even it at 3-3. Going back to baseline play, Mihalov's occasional wondering to the net wouldn't allow him a set victory though, as Lindbäck would take it 7-5. Mihalov became the gunslinger in the third set. His back against the wall several challenging shots gave him a 6-4 third set victory, as Lindbäck became a bit frustrated with several unforced errors. The fourth set would be decisive as Mihalov couldn't keep up his running back and forth from the baseline to the net, and back again sometimes. Lindbäck began rushes to the net himself to apply added pressure. It proved decisive in the fourth game when Lindbäck hit a beautiful tweener past Mihalov retreating from his own net much to the applause of the crowd. Lindbäck would take the set and win his second grand slam of the year, now capturing the Cantigian and Zulia-Santander.
​

Lindbäck def. Mihalov (6-2, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2)​

​

Round three, Finals Women's Singles

Claire Meadows #1 vs Antonia Jordansson #3

The two ladies would meet up for the first time on the pro circuit and close out the Open at Embarcadero Paredes. Claire Meadows looking to achieve what Markus Lindbäck had achieved just prior to herself in the morning. The night match proved just as entertaining as the game featured long stunning rallies between the two women. Meadows would prove to be the better of the two when it came to placement though. Stunning shots down the line moved Jordansson back and forth. It would be hers to take ultimately in the first set as several break points were won by Meadows to hold onto her serve. The demoralizing points would be the back breaker for the first set that Ms. Meadows would win, 6-3. It would be Meadows set to lose in the second set though, as unforced errors proved extremely costly. Dropping three games in a row with awful errors, the tide seemed to move in Jordansson's favor much to the surprise of the crowd. Cheers of "Come on Claire!" could be heard as the crowd tried to rally her from her mistakes, and Ms. Meadows' own frustrated look seemed to be factoring into her play. She'd straighten herself out, but dropping the set, 4-6 to the Suionian, was clearly demotivating for her. In the middle of the third set, with the games tied, 2-2, a man jumped onto the court and tried to wave a flag of Engellex in Claire's face trying to get her to wear it. The man was promptly tackled to the ground. Claire's voice shortly after that was outrage, as she lost the game directly after that having her service broken. Claire's spotlight would ultimately brighten as she dropped the next two points and seemed prime for a finals upset. However then something happened that nobody could have predicted. Perhaps, everyone but Ms. Meadows. When all seemed wrong, she made right. Four consecutive points to break Jordansson's service right back, all of which were winners, two being return winners. Meadows would never look back. Hitting winner after winner. Jordansson looked heartbroken when it was all over, with Claire Meadows taking the last set, 6-3. Jordansson would say after the match, "Claire is everything and more to this sport. I thought I had her, she looked frustrated, but Claire is a champion at heart and just like in junior she found ways to come through in the clutch."​

Meadows def. Jordansson (6-3, 4-6, 6-3)​

​

Updated Men's World Rankings 1.) Markus Lindbäck (SUI) 2.) Dorin Mihailov (ALT) 3.) Archie Riddick (CAN) 4.) Mozes Fabo (BOL) 5.) Michael Merdes (FRA) 6.) Issac Hare (HAV) 7.) Herculez Corral (MTY) 8.) Marmaduke Carlile (ENG) 9.) David Reichardt (CES) 10.)Francesco Aldi (POT) 11.) Jørgen Strand (DAN) 12.) Rodrigo Mercado (MTY)

Updated Women's World Rankings 1.) Claire Meadows (CAN) 2.) Ileana Lukashenko (ALT) 3.) Antonia Jordansson (SUI) 4.) Dorina Barbara (BOL) 5.) Liliana Domínguez (MTY) 6.) Maria Magbantay (CES) 7.) Silvia Albano (POT) 8.) Ada Russell (ENG) 9.) Benedikte Kristansen (DAN) 10.) Sarah Penter (FRA) 11.) Julieta Alba (MTY) 12.) Zoe Hunter (HAV)

 

[Thaumantica]

Team Meadows Camp (Official Press Release)

This year's finals at the Zulia-Santander Open meant everything to Miss Meadows, even though her most Engellexic athletic contemporaries were not available to compete. Claire feels that she put her best effort in to these matches for all women, be they Cantigian or Engellexic - and does not wish to offend the Greater Imperial people with her refusal to wear the Great Engellexic flag while in-play. We believe this post match statement expresses her position properly:

"Usually, I am known wear crimson, charcoal, or white to embody the friendly confines . . I chose blue in these finals to represent the majesty of the Queen-Emperess' oceans and seas which span so very far, and are featured in our Great Engellexic Flag."

Miss Meadows hopes that this misunderstanding does not prevent her from representing the Grand Covenant of Cantignia in this year's Imperial Exposition, as both a competitor, and the Grand Ambassador of Cantigian Athletics to Her Imperial Majesty.

___

Concerning the harrowing competition itself, Claire fully intends to take a recess from the circuit for awhile until she can fully rationalize what it means to be a World Champion. Miss Meadows considers Miss Jordansson and Miss Lukashenko to be the greatest female tennis players to have ever lived, and cannot express how honored she was to stand before them as a humble equal.