Seventh seed Tigran Martirosyan of Armenia, pictured at right, defeated Jean-Yves Aubone of the USA in the annual SA F18 Futures tournament held at the Millennium Tennis and Fitness Center in Joplin. The scores for the three set match that took place on July 20, 2008, were 6-3, 5-7, 6-0.
Aubone, a junior from Florida State, served his way out of trouble a couple of times and was able to take advantage of the weaknesses of Martirosyan's two-handed backhand and his opponent's lapse in serving, enabling him to win the second set and even up the match. But the effort apparently was debilatating. He gave the match away exhibiting lack of concentration leading to a bagel in the third and final set.
The secret to his win, according to Martirosyan, a graduate of the University of Kentucky in 2005, was that he never was down on himself. It's important to "hang in there, play one point at a time, and never think of the big picture," he said. Of course being fit, tall and hitting bounding topspin that Aubone had trouble handling didn't hurt his chances.
The hardest part of a match may very well be giving the concession speech. Aubone, pictured, who had been competing at Millennium for a second year in a row, credited his opponent with defending well and providing a great match. To this reporter he spoke highly of Millennium--the courts and the fans that come out to support the players. And this summer not a vacant seat could be found on the covered balcony that overlooks the center court.
It's not to say that Aubone is a sloucher. He took out number one seed Adriano Biasella of Italy, 6-3, 7-6 (5) in round two and number five seed Adam Thompson of New Zealand in the quarters, 7-5, 6-1.
Accepting a check for $10,000 on behalf of the Children's Miracle Network is Gary Duncan, left, president and chief executive officer of Freeman Health System. Presenting the check is Brad Bigando, Millennium's general manager. This type of funding in part supports the Children's Miracle Network Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Freeman Hospital West.
The check presentation is usually made by David Humphreys, president and CEO of Tamko Building Products, Inc. and an owner of the tennis club. Humphreys reportedly was on vacation.
As is the custom after the match the ball girls and boys, volunteer members of Millennium, line up to receive congratulations. They are part of a youth tennis program that has capitalized on the expertise and professionalism of Ed Ingle, Millennium's senior tennis professional and member of the staff for almost 10 years.
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