We’ll meet again… The South Shore Chapter

November in Montreal is not great, the city runs out of colors, and the wind makes sure the trees are naked and set for the upcoming winter. Usually rains a lot and temperatures drop significantly. Still no snow (usually) so not much to do outside.

But November is also the month were the Veterans go back to the South Shore. We open the season at Sani Sport in Boucherville, and we close it at Sani Sport in Brossard, sort of a full circle, so to speak.

This year the draw was much bigger than in 2013 and much stronger: King Montoto and his chaser Richard Lacombe, Felipe Heck, Marc Boivin, and Francis Demers back in action among others.

“Hard to judge from outside but tennis shows that it is not always the strongest player who wins, but the one that capitalizes the opportunities.”

Shariff Cabarcas opened the action on November 1^st with a laborious win over Ron Sebag, just to hit the wall against Montoto, the top seeded. At the same time, David Descôteaux earned the chance to avenge his loss in Piedmont facing again his slayer Felipe Heck. To do so he had to battle past an annoying Sébastien Larivée in the max of sets.

Francis Demers played an irregular match with ups and downs all the way. Had his chances against Marc Boivin and his unorthodox backhand but blew them all to lose 6-3, 5-7, 7-6. Hard to judge from outside but tennis shows that it is not always the strongest player who wins, but the one that capitalizes the opportunities.

Carlos Montoto

Felipe rolled over David once more in successive events to place himself in the semis against a not-so-solid Richard Lacombe. The second seeded had to come back from a one set deficit to beat Raphael Drouin. It was easy at the end, but Richard had to regain his legendary steadiness to win the 3 setter.

Interesting enough, this wake-up call made him play like a Swiss machinery against Heck. Hard to believe Felipe would go down in a set without making his mark. Richard was in absolute control of the actions and blast away enough distance to administer the effort of the second set. 6-0, 6-4 for Lacombe, who would face…

Yes, yet again… Carlos Montoto.

The Argentinian got complicated in the first set against Boivin, but once he corrected his aim and re-setup his central computer, the tennis droid took over and erased Marc’s attempts at will. Final score: 7-6, 6-2 for Carlos.

“The final was mainly a solo concerto for Montoto”

Carlos was in such state of mind that he literally could not miss a ball. He fired away 6-1, and stayed undisturbed until 5-2 when he decided to change tactics. Richard saw an opening and tried one last effort to turn tables breaking Carlos’ serve and confirming with his own. Alerted by the sudden change of events, King Carlos made the proper adjustments and sailed to victory (his third of the season + 2 finals and 1 semifinal appearance). Final score: Montoto wins 6-1, 6-4.

Congrats to Carlos and Richard for a great season!

See you in the hunt.

Yours,

IRON GAUCHO.