Friday, May 09, 2008

Chen wins men’s tennis open; House serves to take senior women’s crown

Photo by Marny Malin-Pam House won Thursday’s senior women’s intramural tennis semifinals, then went on to win the championship Tuesday.

Steve Chen and Miles Hughes took to the South 9 tennis court for the men’s open final at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Over three hours later, a champion was finally crowned.

Chen defeated Hughes in a tough back-and-forth game, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.

“We fought for every point,” Chen said after the game.

The match pitted two competitors with extremely different games and personalities: Hughes had a searing serve to accompany a passionate demeanor on the court, Chen with the powerful return and quiet determination.

Chen took the first set, pulling away from Hughes after the competitors were tied at three matches apiece.

Hughes took the first game of the second set, but struggled in the next. Neither competitor could get the edge over the other, tying at deuce five times in the game. It was Chen who
finally emerged victorious.

“I felt like we were at deuce forever,” Chen said. “I just got a few lucky breaks to get the win.”

Despite the game victory, Hughes went on to take the second set.

In the third set tiebreaker, Hughes dominated early, taking the first three points before Chen got on the board. He earned his next two points on short shots that Hughes was unable to return.

With the score tied at five, Chen took his first lead of the match. Hughes looked frustrated as they fought for the game’s final points, Chen eventually taking the win on a chip over the net.

“He had me down, and he had me worried,” Chen said. “I was pretty effective in closing out those last points for the victory.

A disappointed Hughes gave credit to his opponent. “He’s just too good,” he said. “He didn’t miss a first volley. He was just too good.”

Chen was equally doting on his competitor. “Miles is a great player. He’s got good, even strokes. If the match had gone a little later, he would have taken it. He’s a better player than me.”
On the women’s side, Pam House took home a victory in the senior open over Debra Hanneman, 6-2, 6-0, at the Officers’ Club courts at 6 p.m.
“I think I stayed the most consistent,” House said of her win. “My short angles were on and I was able to take her successfully.”
House described the game as a hard-fought, close game against good competition. “She [Hanneman] had a ‘don’t-give-up’ spirit. She was a good sport and had good strokes. She played aggressively. She was great. It was just a great match against a great player.”