The Love Bug

"Titan, you don't bug me. I love the way you communicate wih your partner on the court," so rejoiced Herb (formerly) 'Over Matched' Engle at the conclusion of play at the Yonkers Tennis Center this morning. The 'bombastic blowhard' had fulfilled a promise made to himself at the beginning of play that he would play as necessary so that 'OM' would not go home an 'L-L-L,' a three set loser. No, TT had already coronated the Lean, Lanky Lefty, Ed Gordon with that appellation. To his chagrin the 'immobile minotaur' was paired with Yossi 'Israeli Time' Newman in the first set against 'LLL'/'OM.' For some reason the older, less mobile, less powerful tandem thought that they would have a chance if TT played with 'IT.' Happily, 'Israeli Time' was broken immediately and the under-powered adversaries got off to a quick two-love start. TennisTitan kept his foot off the gas and used his folly-floater exclusively in the (6-2) trouncing that was soon administered. The second set saw 'OM' join the 'bullshitting blogger' in a fun, 50 minute marathon against a determined Gordon-Newman team. Titan continued to use his second serve exclusively and stepped it up on defense, covering for 'Over Matched' as necessary on the baseline, and charging the net occasionally. The upshot - a come from behind (7-5) victory that had Herbie chortling when time was called during the third set (2-3 partial, on serve). The 80 year old Engle quipped at picture time, "Titan, I haven't tasted a victory so sweet since I hit a trifecta at Yonkers in '66." To wit the 'pathetic panderer' retorted, "Herbie, today, with me at your side, 'you were no longer 'Over Matched!' I dub thee "Herbie the LOVE BUG!"