January -
February 1998
Vol. 9, No. 1

U.S. OPEN: Story Sidebar #3

Todd O'Neil's Take ...

RACQUETBALL tour writer Todd O'Neil gives you his perspective on the 1997 Promus Hotels U.S. OPEN. Wry and witty, O'Neil gives a "no holds barred" viewpoint of the event and its' major players. Enjoy!

Todd O'Neil - Tour "Writer on the Storm" -- If you don't watch out, the pro tour will blow you away!

WOMEN'S PRO FINAL

#1 Michelle Gould (Boise, Idaho) vs. #3 Jackie Paraiso (El Cajon, Calif.) Before this match got started, I went around to get a feel from the other women pros on just how this match would pan out. The general consensus was that Michelle would win, but they would like to see Jackie win for a change of pace. Basically, saying, "Well, my head says Michelle but my heart says Jackie."

My personal odds on the match were set at 8-1 with Michelle as the favorite. She has won the last eight of 10 pro tournaments and had her dominating game style in full gear. Her husband-coach-motivator Rod was handy at courtside should the "Gould Express" have engine trouble. He was often seen giving Michelle hand signals and words of encouragement like, "Come on Boomer!"

Her opponent, Jackie Paraiso, had made the finals with an upset victory over second seed Cheryl Gudinas. Jackie, who possesses a great all around game, would have to use her fundamentally sound racquet skills to neutralize Michelle's serves and move her out of center court.

Courtside for "Team Paraiso" were her parents and her daughter Danielle. Win or lose, Jackie's parents should be very proud of her not only as a player but as a single mother. Jackie could be seen on court mixing it up with the most feared women's "racquetballer", then seconds later, kissing her daughter during a timeout.

After the laser light introductions and the national anthem, these two ladies were ready to display their talents in front of the sellout crowd of 1,000+ screaming fans at The Racquet Club of Memphis. Right from the beginning, it was all Jackie. Michelle seemed tight and uneasy at the start as Jackie gave her a steady dose of wide-angle passes and accurate pinches.

After a Gould side-out, Michelle let out a horrifying yell of, "PLAY!!!!!" that could easily be over heard across the river in West Memphis, Ark. You could see her determination boiling inside as she stood up to serve. Michelle scored two points to bring herself within three, 5-2, before she was sided-out by Jackie, who hit a perfectly located pinch just out of Michelle's reach.

Michelle skipped two service returns to give Jackie the lead, 7-2. A sweet reverse and Jackie was up 8-2. A return of serve cross court rollout by Michelle and a couple of well placed serves and kills brought Michelle to within four, 8-4.

At this point, I thought it to be critical for Jackie to try and surprise Michelle, who had gotten into a groove on return of serve. Instead, Michelle got hot and ran five points on her serve to pull ahead 9-8. Jackie then sided-out Michelle on a perfect pass, scored two points on a backhand pinch and a Gould skip forehand return of serve for game one at 10-9. On this point, Michelle ended the rally on a backhand. The follow through hit Jackie in the nose and she had to take an injury timeout to stop the bleeding. Upon returning, Paraiso skipped a forehand to give Michelle 10 points.

At 10-10, in the first game, an overzealous Gould fan, with a heavy southern accent, who had been yelling every point since 0-0, yelled, "Come on Michelle, turn on the jets!" at the top of his lungs. A free racquet was given out to the loudest fan to get everybody fired up for the ESPN tape delay telecast. Well, I'm sure that I speak for more than a few people when I say I would gladly give this fan every racquet in my bag, and then some, if he would just shut up! Whoever you are, I hope you won and if you didn't, I will gladly sign a petition.

After the crowd stopped stirring, Michelle scored a point on the next rally with a backhand kill to give her the lead at 11-10. At this point, there seemed to be some confusion. Racquetball legend, turned recording artist, turned referee, Lynn Adams seemed to stop as though the game was over. During the season, I think the ladies only play the super tiebreaker in the last game. Coupled with the fact that this is unchartered waters for Michelle - to be pushed to a super tiebreaker - the confusion was well warranted. After a very brief pause, play resumed.

Michelle, serving for the game at 11-10, hit a beautiful backhand pinch just out of the reach of a diving Jackie to end game one 12-10. This first game was truly a treat for the fans at courtside who were pleased to view women's racquetball at its highest level. The next two games were won by Michelle Gould 11-5, 11-4 to retain her U.S. OPEN crown plus a fat check for $4,000. For Jackie, a well respected second-place finish and another strong tournament.

MEN'S ROAD TO THE FINALS

Before discussing the finals, let's take a look at the roads both Sudsy and Cliff traveled to get to the finals.

Super Suds' road to the finals started in the round of 64 with the legend himself, Marty Hogan. Winner of over 60 professional events and truly a great athlete, Marty looked like he was in excellent shape, as usual. Hogan, no stranger to center court, graced the stage one last time to the approval of a very curious crowd. Though almost 40-years old and 23 years after his first pro win way back in '75 - one year after the Sudsy was born - Marty managed to show off a few of the old moves.

"The Kid," not to be shown up on center stage, rolled some backhands from over his head deep in the court with some pace. An impossible shot even with a Leach Bandido (the racquet of choice in the mid-70's). Marty, as well as the rest of us, seemed stunned that Sudsy could hit such a shot.

Three years separate the end of Marty's career and the beginning of Sudsy's. What a match-up these two champions would have produced it they both were in their prime. On this day, it was a Suds victory, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6.

Next was Venezuela's finest, Fabian Balmori, who flew in on Tuesday and out on Thursday, courtesy of The Kid, 11-2, 11-6, 11-5. Next time Fabian, take your coat off and stay a while. Having lost two hours prior, this writer knows the feeling oh-too-well.

In the 16's, Sudsy faced dark horse Doug Eagle of Carrollton, Texas. Doug seemed uneasy on center court which led him to many unforced errors. Final score: 11-2, 11-3, 11-4. However, plan to see more of "Dark Horse Doug" in the future, for he has committed full-time to the IRT.

In the quarters, Suds played last year's semifinalist and ninth-ranked pro Woody Clouse. During the past few seasons these guys have had some battles, usually resulting in another victory for The Kid. This match was no different, as Sudsy won 11-6, 11-7, 11-7.

Next match for Suds was the semifinal against fourth seed John "Ellie" Ellis of Stockton, Calif. Ellie, just off a great five-game (12-10 in the fifth) victory over "The Retrieving Machine" Jason Mannino, seemed poised and comfortable against Sudsy.

There was speculation that Ellie pulled a leg muscle and might not be 100-percent. But I thought Ellie looked better than ever. Both of these players have elevated their games from a year ago. Both launched bombs from the back of the court with their signature big-swinging backhands. You could often see spectators looking at each other in amazement.

Every game was hard fought, but Sudsy just pulled away a little bit at the end of each game. Final score: Suds in three 11-7, 11-7, 11-9. This match will continue to draw spectators for years to come. With the ball traveling over 170 mph and these guys sacrificing there bodies to get the ball back, it was truly entertaining. Thanks to Sudsy and Ellie for their superb effort and good sportsmanship.

On the other half of the draw was second-seeded Cliff Swain who played a little-known player out of Pennsylvania, John Barrett. Cliff prevailed 11-7, 11-5, 11-1.

Next for Cliff was unseeded Jacques Demers of Montreal, Quebec. Jacques, a staple on the Canadian National team, is a smart, quick player. Also the only sober male Canadian to be found at the U.S. OPEN past Thursday at 2 p.m. Cliff won in four games - 11-4. 7-11, 11-2, 11-8.

In the quarter's, Cliff's opponent was Mr. Cinderella, Eric Muller. Formerly from Kansas City, Mo., Muller is now living in Boston while attending Harvard Law School. This match was over before it started as Eric will attest to in his post-game interview when he stated, "He (Swain) didn't come here to lose to me." Eric was right, Swain won 11-5, 11-7, 11-2.

The stage was set for an old rivalry - Swain vs. Roberts, Part ?? Over the past 13 years, these two IRT megastars have squared-off dozens of times. Rarely does this match-up end in a blowout.

The big kid (Andy) from Foxhall Drive in Memphis came out in game one serving and shooting behind the strength and support of his family and friends, winning 11-8. The Racquet Club of Memphis has always provided Andy with a hostile, pro-Roberts crowd.

Cliff came back to win game two 11-5. Game three was very critical. After a long rally at 10-9, Cliff yelled at referee Mike Ray and was given a technical. Though it wasn't so much what Cliff said, but how he said the words "God Dammit!" that were viewed as improper language by Ray. Cliff then turned to Mike and said, "You need to get out of the house more often if you think that's a swear."

Sending the score back to 9-9, Roberts serving. Moments later, after a questionable call, Cliff said to Ray, "If you could hear what I'm thinking right now, you'd call the match." After regaining the serve along with his composure, Cliff re-earned his 10th point on a backhand splat and then hit a crack ace to end the third game 11-9. Then he won the fourth 11-5.

At the end of this match, Andy made his first retirement speech, tabbing next year his final season. Whatever happens to Andy Roberts, he will always be remembered as one of the best ever. Having won over 20 pro events in his career, he and the likes of Bret Harnett will be brought up whenever discussing the best players who never finished #1.

MEN'S PRO FINAL

#1 Sudsy Monchik (Staten Island, N.Y.) vs. #2 Cliff Swain (Boston, Mass.) Well, this is the match we have all been waiting for. It felt as though you were ringside at Tyson vs. Holyfield. Though the ears were spared, I wouldn't put it past either one of these fierce competitors. They both have cost each other a lot of money over the years. The capacity crowd was buzzing in their seats with anticipation of this match between The Kid - Super Sudsy Monchik of Staten Island, N.Y. and the legendary lefty Cliff Swain of Boston, Mass.

To get a true feel for the match, we must look back and try to dissect this arch rivalry. To the best of my recollection, after losing two of three finals to Swain earlier in the 1994-95 season, it all started with the quarterfinals of the '95 Sporting House U.S. Open Pro-Am in Las Vegas, Nev., when Sudsy upset Cliff in four games 10-12, 11-1, 11-8, 11-5 for the $10,000 first-place prize. It was scary that Suds could play to such a high level at such a young age (20).

During the 1995-96 season, Cliff held on to the top spot all year, but was not as dominant as in previous years. An inconvenient loss to veteran Mike Ray (semifinals of Bay 101 IRT World Championships) seemed to make the difference as Cliff lost his throne on the last day of the season as Sudsy won the IRT World Championships. Sudsy won the #1 ranking by a mere 10 points (2,148 to 2,138). Ten points is equal to about one game. This did not sit well with Mr. Swain. Cliff had won the '96 Foxwoods IRT Pro Nationals in Las Vegas the month before without losing a single game and devastating Sudsy in the finals 11-5, 11-6, 11-1. During the 1996-97 season, Cliff and Sudsy played even - both winning seven events and finishing second in four and five events, respectively. The difference being, Sudsy played better in the higher-ranking events. Those were the U.S. OPEN, Pro Nationals and Pro Worlds which Sudsy won two out of three, closing out the season at #1 (3,121 to 2,830).

Cliff made a great late-season run last year and has carried over to this season. He has been in the finals of the last eight pro stops, winning five. Sudsy has been in the finals of the last seven events, winning three. Not much separates these two on the court. Both can do just about anything, so the difference is going to be psychological. Going into this match, the pressure was on Suds. No matter what happens in the finals, Cliff had regained the top ranking even before the first ball was served. Win or lose, Cliff, a semifinalist at last season's OPEN, has earned more points at this year's U.S. OPEN that last and Sudsy would have to repeat not to lose ground because of winning last season's OPEN.

As the lights dimmed and the sellout crowd settled in their seats, the players were introduced. Cliff, as racquetball's "Ultimate Warrior," made his way into the court in a rather subdued businesslike manner and very focused. Then, The Kid came out from behind the curtain, strutting to the beat of M.C. Hammer's "Can't Touch This" while looking to defend his Inaugural U.S. OPEN title.

Sudsy got the nod of approval from longtime friend Jason Mannino as he walked by. Jason then turned to me and said, "You've never seen Suds play the way he's going to play today." I could not disagree, but I'm sure Cliff had other ideas.

To open the match, both players started slow, trying to feel each other out. Sudsy started serving lobs and drives to Cliff's backhand. Cliff mixed up drive serves to both sides. They traded points with Cliff up to 7-6. Then there was a stand still where neither player could score a point in three times to the service box.

With Cliff serving at 7-6, he ended a long rally with a spinning forehand pinch off the back wall that found the left corner to give him an 8-6 lead. Cliff then hit a great serve to Sudsy's forehand and got a weak return which he rolled out with a straight forehand kill. Swain duplicated the previous rally to give him 10 points and stood in the box for game-point. Cliff got an easy point to end game one when Sudsy got hung up in center court and hit himself on a shot. Game one to Swain 11-6. Cliff was on his game.

Cliff started game two as he had finished game one - HOT! A crack ace to the forehand and a number of rally-ending shots found Swain up 5-0. Sudsy, clearly lacking confidence and with Swain not missing a shot, had the Monchik fans worried. Sudsy scored a couple of points on a backhand missile and a forehand pinch to cut the lead to 6-2.

Then, Cliff got the serve back and ran four points in a row. Starting with an ace to the forehand, his patented knockout punch which has served him well over the years, two backhand kills, a Monchik skip and it was 10-2. On game-point, Cliff hit a shot that wallpapered the left wall and Sudsy fanned to give Cliff game two 11-2.

Game three was different that the other two. Sudsy had brought his game up a level and managed a number of side-outs. But The Kid could not get anything going on his serve, as Swain turned in one of the best service return games I'd ever seen. Cliff, if he had a weakness, it would have to be his backhand short-hop return of serve - a shot that is a staple of any pro on tour. When Cliff started back in '85, nobody hit that shot. Everyone went to the ceiling. Cliff has put some work in on that shot and it showed today, killing seven out of nine.

Sudsy, hanging on to dear life, could do nothing to stop Swain as Cliff pulled away to a 7-1 lead. At this point, Sudsy took an injury timeout. It looked like The Kid was in a desperate situation with no way out. I think the only way to cool Cliff off at this point was to cut all of the strings out of his racquet and lock him in a freezer.

When they returned, the two traded points to give Cliff the serve at 9-3. During this match, the fan support was incredible for both players. Often, the crowd yelled loudly. At 9-3, Cliff's girlfriend Megan won the award for loudest scream with a "Come on Cliff," at the top of her lungs.

On the next rally, Cliff made an incredible backhand get which led to a Monchik skip and a 10-3 lead. Swain closed out the match on a backhand kill to win 11-3.

Before the match started, I thought if Sudsy got in trouble he could bail himself out with some serious hustle and dives. But what happened today was Cliff just flat rolled-out a lot of balls that were just unretrievable. It was all Swain today.

Following the match was the awards presentation. In a less than gracious runner-up speech, emotions ran high as Sudsy vowed that losing 3-0 to Cliff would never happen again. Suds then apologized to his family and friends that were present. No apologies necessary Kid, you're a great player.

When Cliff got the microphone, he had said, "I don't know what to say," when a fan yelled out "You already said it!" I could not agree more. In Cliff's 10 years on the tour, he has at least one time or another dominated every player he's faced. Today, he just added to his legacy.

From winning his first Ektelon Pro Nationals in '85 at the age of 19 to the present, he has dedicated his life to winning. Now that he has regained his top ranking and restored his confidence he will be tough to dethrone. Cliff's dedication and determination should keep him in the hunt for #1 for years to come. At 31, he's extremely fit and durable for a guy that has such skinny ankles.

Rankings update following the U.S. OPEN: Cliff 2,969, Suds 2,706. The season has just started and there are a lot of events left, so get out and try to see some stops! Overall, the tournament was a huge success.


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