"Hasta lo Otro Ano"

Ta-Dah! TennisTitan returned to the Yonkers Tennis Center today for what is likely his last indoor match of this season and managed to go out in style. TT was the fifth participant to arrive for this morning's 7:30 A.M. start. On the court warming up was Hanibal 'Caballero' - the tempermental Argentinian, 'Rockin Rick' Ricci, Mario 'Zippy' Zino, (who TT had never played before) and Ed 'Lean, Lanky, Lefty' Gor. Triple L, the senior member and assignor of this players' group, had given Titan this date in lieu of Tuesday's cancellation. 'Caballero' had shown up as a replacement for 'on Israeli time' at Yossi's suggestion even though 'LLL' had called TT to play. "Too many cooks..." as the saying goes. Ed Gor sat out initially and has asked TT to "sit tomorrow." TT/'Caballero' paired for the first two sets against 'Rockin Rick'/'Zippy' and it was quite the mismatch (6-1, 6-1). Titan had it all working for him- the big serve, deep lobs and even a few crisp volleys! Caballero's strength is his volleys and quickness at the net along with an occasional big serve. The tempermental Argentinian was barely able to overcome his transparent disdain for Titan's antics because he relishes the taste of victory even more. So how great was the third set for the Titan? With 'Zippy' sitting it out, Titan paired with 'LLL' and pulled off the triple play. TT knows Triple L's game well by now and gets the most out of Ed's ability and mobility using his left handedness to maximum advantage in TT's shot placement. TT/'LLL' held tough against their more mobile adversaries breaking 'RRR' in the 11th game. How sweet it was for the Titan to serve it out (7-5) and overwhelm 'Caballero' in that last game to end his season. "Vamos muchachos, hasta lo otro ano" was TT's parting volley as he exited the court.