Typhoon « Carlos » hits Côte St-Luc

It’s Sunday afternoon on a hot summer day in Côte St-Luc, that suburban oasis in the southwest of Montreal Island. Children are playing on its peaceful streets, two neighbors chat over their fence completely unaware of the upcoming Armageddon. In the 40+ singles final, the leading heavyweights are facing each other once again: Carlos Montoto vs. Richard Lacombe.

So far they’d played twice in 2014, always in the final match; first to draw blood was Monsieur Lacombe, an elegant and smart player that has solid strokes and outstanding stamina. If you want to beat him, you better play good tennis; plain and simple. Richard won at Carrefour Laval (indoor hard) in straight sets. Their second encounter was at Côte-de-Liesse Tennis Club (CDL) (outdoor green clay) with a 3 sets victory for the South American tennis man. Carlos played better tennis that day, now aware of his opponent skills.

Richard Lacombe

The road to the final had some similarities for these chaps. Richard started his campaign with solid victories over Lior Doron and Phil Chalabi. Matches were short and furious with total control on 2005-Federer-cruising mode. On the bottom half of the draw, Carlos beat both Ron Goldman and a persistent back pain in straight sets, to then roll over Marc Boivin 3 and love. In semis in-form Jeff Salhany made Lacombe fight for every ball, but he was able to pull away after Jeff succumbed to injury. Montoto battled 3 sets as well with Joao Felipe Heck who wanted to extend his run in a tournament that always has him as one of the main attractions. It was 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 for the Argentinian who avenged his loss at Valois.

It’s Sunday afternoon on a hot summer day in Côte St-Luc… Both contenders step on court and pull their guns from their tennis bags. There is an electric buzz in the air; everything remains still in the windless atmosphere… And the assault begins… Blow after blow the two contenders fight for every point. Carlos sweeps the dirt and perspiration from his face and arms after holding serve… Every point is a micro universe in itself, there is bang followed by a louder and bigger bang. Richard is focused; he’s a man with a unique mission: return everything that comes back from the other side of the net.  Carlos is on fire, hits the lines and goes into attack mode. The deadly drone sets aim at the target and fires, after the smoke vanishes, there is only destruction. Looking at the scene, Richard looks like a Spartan soldier trying to avoid being overrun by the Persian army, knee on the floor and shield up. Games are long, both players… no… warriors, suffer the heat, and the physical and emotional effort. Richard makes a last charge, trying to reel off the set, only to clash with a 100-miles-an-hour-storm, Carlos is a typhoon. 

He doesn’t want a third set, and there won’t be one. After more than two and a half hours there is a big silence, no more bangs, no more pain, no more agony. There is an exchange of words at the net, and a solid hand shake.

Final score sets at 6-4, 7-5 Carlos is the new Champion, and the #1 belongs to him.

See you in the hunt.

Yours,

Iron Gaucho