SAN FRANCISCO AT OAKLAND-TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2007
By Kingston Gee and Shashin Shodhan
Oakland is looking to continue its perfect season and has presented a strong lineup in each of their matches. Freddie Gabriel and Jackie Lee, serious players who hope to make future national teams, have showed up in most of their matches. Kock Loe and Avishy Schmidt have completed the formidable foursome for Oakland. San Francisco now has the services of Misha Kazantsev who has been ranked the #1 US junior. He now studies at USC and is taking this semester off.
MISHA KAZANTSEV BECOMES THE ACE FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO TEAM WITH HIS ARRIVAL TO THIS WINTER LEAGUE SEASON. (Photo by Kingston Gee)
Sally Su (San Francisco) vs Freddie Gabriel (Oakland)
Gabriel is almost 500 points higher than Su so one would expect this match to be a lopsided 3-0 victory for Gabriel. The match does start that way as Gabriel cruises to a 2-0 lead. Gabriel was spinning and in control and Su was frustrated as to what to do to win points. However, in the third game, Su is able to return serves relatively better and wins a tight third game. The fourth game is also won by the narrowest of margins of two points. However, this time, it's in Gabriel's favor and Oakland is now up 1-0.
SALLY SU TAKES A GAME OFF FREDDIE GABRIEL. (Photo by Kingston Gee)
Spencer Chase (San Francisco) vs Jackie Lee (Oakland)
Chase uses short pips on the backhand and has been changing his forehand technique and gets more power on his forehand side now. Lee is rock-solid this match and is too consistent for Chase. She controls most of the backhand-backhand exchanges and uses a change of direction effectively. Chase has some success in landing his forehand topspins but Lee proves to be a level above Chase and wins this match comfortably 3-0.
JACKIE LEE'S BACKHAND PROVES TOO STRONG FOR SPENCER CHASE. (Photo by Kingston Gee)
Misha Kazantsev (San Francisco) vs Kock Loe (Oakland)
Loe is a steady blocker but if Kazantsev can get his forehand loop in, it will be a tough match for Loe. Kazantsev's strength is his forehand loop from the backhand side and Loe must keep pressure on the ball so Kazantsev can not start ripping forehands. Kazantsev dazzles Loe with a mixture of spin and Loe tries to smash as much as possible, which at times is very effective. This match goes to the fifth and Kazantsev maintains his concentration and wins the fifth game 11-8. Kazantsev and Loe traded turns in winning games as Kazantsev won the first, third, and fifth games and Loe won the second and fourth games.
KOCK LOE PUTS UP A VALIANT FIGHT TO MISHA KAZANTSEV. (Photo by Kingston Gee)
Misha Kazantsev/Spencer Chase (San Francisco) vs Freddie Gabriel/Avishy Schmidt (Oakland)
As dominant as Oakland has been in singles this season, Oakland has been even more dominant in doubles and has yet to lose a doubles match. Oakland goes up 2-0 but Kazantsev and Chase step it up to win the third and fourth games in deuce. However, Oakland recovers to open a big lead in the fifth and holds off any San Francisco comeback attempt. Oakland is now up 3-1 in this team match.
FREDDIE GABRIEL KEEPS HIS PERFECT DOUBLES RECORD. (Photo by Kingston Gee)
Spencer Chase (San Francisco) vs Freddie Gabriel (Oakland)
Gabriel's serves and forehand attacks should prove too strong for Chase and they do as Gabriel jumps off to a quick 2-0 lead. However, Chase, like teammate Sally Su earlier, steps up his level in the third and fourth games. Although Gabriel still won the fourth game against Su, Chase manages to win both the third and the fourth game. Chase is up at the switch in the fifth game but confident Gabriel steps up his level and comes from behind to win 11-8 in the decider.
SPENCER CHASE NEARLY RECORDS THE BEST WIN OF HIS CAREER. (Photo by Kingston Gee)
Oakland remains unbeaten in team and doubles and Gabriel has been perfect the previous spring season and this season outside of his matches against James Guo.