Grandezza's Men's 4.5 Tennis Team Starts Strong

The race to the USTA Nationals for Southwest Florida's Men's 4.5 teams began at Cape Coral's Mid Cape Racquet Club on Saturday, April 14, with Grandezza Country Club traveling to Mid Cape for the season's first match. With temperatures hovering around the 90-degree mark, it was a typical Florida summer day for tennis...except spring has yet to wipe all the sleep from its eyes. Grandezza appeared to be in summer form, while Mid Cape players struggled to bring some sunshine to their games.

Grandezza's #1 singles player, Steve Shortridge, out-steadied Marius Espeleta of Mid Cape Racquet Club for a 6-1, 7-5 victory, coming back from a 0-3 deficit in the 2^nd set. It was a battle of classic slice backhands reminiscent of the great Ken Rosewall, with Shortridge applying the pressure at net on big points to trump Espeleta.

T.A. Niles took the victory at #2 singles for Grandezza, beating Mid Cape Racquet Club professional Francis Coryell 6-2, 6-1 in a match that featured multiple deuces in almost every game. Coryell didn't have his "A" game and Niles was able to take advantage of Coryell at less than his best.

In doubles play, Grandezza's #1 doubles team of Peirce Andrews and Rick Austin lost to Mid Cape's Larry Gagnon and Terry See 6-2, 6-1 in a match that was much closer than the score suggests. "They played the big points better," said Andrews who is still rehabilitating his playing shoulder. Austin traveled to the Cape from Naples but said the trip was worth it despite the loss.

At #2 doubles, Zach Carpenter and Brad Nash teamed up for a strong outing against Jack Dunmead and Bob Reed, pulling out the 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 victory. Carpenter, attempting to revive a slightly rusty game, used the first set as a tune up and he and Nash pulled away with relative ease in the 2^nd set.

Captain John Ramsey teamed with Paul Zavala at #3 doubles for a 7-5, 7-6 (7-1) thriller against Ken Casola and James Dilling. As usual, Ramsey left very little fuzz on the ball, drilling every forehand within racquet's reach. Strong serving by both Ramsey and Zavala carried the day for Grandezza.

Grandezza's next match is at home against Gateway Golf and Country Club. Gateway features some seasoned veterans on its team and should provide a fair test for Grandezza. Spectators are welcome at all matches and admission is free. Visit http://tennislink.usta.com/leagues/ and input 1537369154 into the "team number" field, click on "go," and follow Grandezza's march to the USTA Nationals.