Breakers win in super tiebreaker

Steve Virgen

In regard to what took place on the court, Newport Beach Breakers

Coach Dick Leach said it best when he reacted with “this is as good

as it gets” after his team won its season opener, 21-20, against the

Springfield Lasers.

But the Palisades Tennis Club plans to get much hotter than Monday

night because breakthrough star and Wimbledon champion Maria

Sharapova will make her appearance in eight days when the Breakers

take on the Sacramento Capitals.

However, for all the dramatics tennis can offer, the majority of

them were there for this World Team Tennis match, as the Breakers had

to go to a super tiebreaker, an extra set played to seven, in front

of 1,056 fans.

The Breakers’ Ramon Delgado defeated Jalal Chafai, 7-1, to lead

the Breakers to the victory and its only lead in team points in the

match.

“This is the most exciting [World Team Tennis match] I have ever

been in,” Leach said. “I hope everyone enjoyed it. That was great.”

The Breakers’ sets scores were, 1-5, 4-5 (0-5), 4-5 (0-5), 5-2, 5-4

(5-3).

The Breakers, lacking their star names, Sharapova and the Bryan

brothers, Mike and Bob, fell behind by losing the first two sets, but

the Breakers’ doubles team of Delgado and Ellis Ferreira were able to

rally against Chafai and Andrew Kratzmann to put the Breakers back

into contention.

With Ferreira serving, the Breakers were trailing, 4-2, in the

set. Ferreira delivered an ace to win on game point. Then the

Breakers duo broke the Lasers to set up a tiebreaker to five.

The Breakers won the tiebreaker, 5-4.

“That was the difference,” Leach said. “We lose that one than it

was going to be too difficult to come back. Then, [Aniko] Kapros got

us back in there with her big win.” Kapros defeated Daja Bedanova,

5-2, to get the Breakers within, 16-15.

Kapros held serve. She also controlled Bedanova with accurate

returns and broke her twice.

Kapros’ victory set up an exciting match between Delgado and

Chafai. The two players battled back and forth, but Delgado seemed to

have the advantage, as he collected points, seemingly, when he wanted

to.

Delgado definitely had the advantage in the tiebreaker and led the

Breakers to the win.

“That was a great way to start the season,” Delgado said. “I won

both my matches, singles and doubles, after a great comeback in both.

“I had many chances to beat him during the set,” he continued.

“But he was tough. Even though he was, I thought I was in control the

whole time.”

Leach took exception that the night lacked star power, saying

Delgado and Ferreira were just as good as the Bryan brothers Monday.

As for Sharpavoa, her notoriety and fan draw is unmatched among

the Breakers, and perhaps the World Team Tennis squads.

Sharapova, 17, will also play at Palisades Tennis Club July 17

against the Kansas City Explorers, who feature Anna Kournikova.

“Maria, of course, does have star power,” Leach said. “She’s going

to be the most famous athlete that has come through here. Not too

many people get to see a player who has just won Wimbledon. This is

going to be quite a year.”