November - December 1999 -- Vol. 10, No. 6

The Century's Best & Worst -- The Draw of the Century?

The “Draw of the Century?” shown below takes a look at potential match-ups among the top-32 men’s pro players of all time — and is meant for your pleasure and discussion. In attempting to analyze the players, Jim Hiser has placed athletes in the ‘era' of their opponents (thus Sudsy with small racquets and slower ball). He has personally seen all of the selected athletes compete, plus solicited additional opinions from many of the "old timers" as well as newer pro's in researching the super-draw.

We catch up this issue — with the women’s version of the “Draw of the Century” — and our contenders have been busy! “Mystery authors” were on the phone for days collaborating on this version (and they’ve got plenty of first-hand experience with these players), so enjoy their predictions. Look for the champions in January!

Men's Draw of the Century?

Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semi-Finals Finals Champion
#1 Marty Hogan Hogan
11-2, 11-5, 11-0
Hogan
11-5, 5-11, 11-9, 11-8
HOGAN
11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5

YELLEN
11-8, 10-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9
#32 Steve Keeley
#17 Tim Doyle Bledsoe
11-10, 8-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9
#16 Dave Bledsoe
#9 Rich Wagner Wagner
11-7, 8-11, 11-10, 11-3
Roberts
11-9, 7-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-10
#24 Mike Guidry
#25 Bud Muehleisen Roberts
11-5, 11-3, 11-5
# Andy Roberts
#5 Charlie Brumfield Brumfield
2-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7
Brumfield
11-10, 11-9, 2-11, 11-2
YELLEN
11-9, 11-7, 10-11, 11-2
#27 Egan Inoue
#21 Steve Strandemo G. Peck
10-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-10, 11-10
#12 Gregg Peck
#13 Steve Serot Kachtik
5-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-10, 11-10
Yellen
11-5, 11-3, 11-5
#20 Drew Kachtik
#29 Sherman Greenfeld Yellen
11-3, 11-6, 11-3
#4 Mike Yellen CHAMPION?
#3 Cliff Swain Swain
11-5, 6-11, 11-3, 11-8
Swain
11-3, 11-3, 11-8
SWAIN
11-9, 10-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-6

MONCHIK
11-9, 10-11, 11-5, 11-4
#30 Dan Ferris
#19 Ed Andrews Ray
5-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-7, 11-9
#14 Mike Ray
#11 John Ellis Ellis
11-9, 5-11, 11-3, 11-5
D. Peck
11-5, 11-5, 0-11, 11-5
#22 Dan Obremski
#27 Jack Newman D. Peck
11-10, 11-8, 11-7
#6 Dave Peck
#7 Brett Harnett Harnett
11-1, 11-3, 11-1
Harnett
5-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9
MONCHIK
11-9, 10-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-6
#26 Bill Schmitke
#23 Jason Mannino Hilecher
5-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-6
#10 Jerry Hilecher
#15 Ruben Gonzalez Gonzalez
11-10, 1-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9
Monchik
11-1, 11-7, 11-7
#18 Lindsey Myers
#31 V. Neiderhoffer Monchik
11-2, 6-11, 11-8, 11-7
#2 Sudsy Monchik

head to head men's quarterfinals!
Hogan def. Roberts:
Hogan’s fitness/athletic ability proves to make the difference - Roberts isn’t bothered by Hogan’s power, and boasts a ‘smarter’ all-round game, but Hogan’s intensity and go-for-broke style when on, is almost unbeatable. Hogan’s, serve and returning ability are deciding factors in games four and five.
Yellen def. Brumfeld: The one player Brumfeld cannot ‘psych out.. Brumfeld tries every trick, but nothing seems to work. Although a control player himself, Brumfeld is no match for the master. Brumfeld runs out of gas in the fourth game. Yellen’s mistake free game takes its toll and proves he’s the master of the ‘control’ game.
Swain def. Peck: One of the most difficult games to call since most modern day players believe Swain’s serve and shot-making ability would make the difference. Few players recall Peck’s unmatchable intensity and outstanding play in 1981-’82. Before his injury, Peck played even with Yellen and Hogan. The slight edge goes to Swain, only because of the serve.
Monchik def. Harnett: Again, not as easy as everyone might think. At his prime, when he won four events in a row, no one came close - but then the tour folded. Harnett matches Sudsy in athletic ability and quickness. Sudsy’s power gives him the advantage, even with a slower ball and small racquets. Sudsy has wider variety of shots and can change pace if needed.

head to head men's semi-finals!
Yellen defeats Hogan:
Hogan’s normally slow start may have cost him the match. Yellen continues his streak of beating Hogan in the big matches. Mike’s consistently error-less game style forces Hogan to work for every point. Although in better physical shape, Hogan forces too many shots upon which Yellen capitalizes. Yellen’s footwork may be the best ever — always seems to be in perfect position to hit the ‘right’ shot.
Monchik defeats Swain: Even with a slower ball, Sudsy seems to have Cliff’s number. Sudsy is relentless and puts pressure on Cliff with every shot. Sudsy’s motto ‘no defense is a good defense’ results in every imaginable shot from every angle. Even when given opportunities, Cliff is unable to capitalize, and is never able to bring a ‘run’ together.

Women's Draw of the Century?

Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semi-Finals Finals Champion
#1 Lynn Adams Adams
11-3, 11-3, 11-4
Adams
11-0, 11-8, 11-7
ADAMS
11-8, 10-12, 7-11, 12-10, 11-8

ADAMS
4-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-6
#32 Molly O'Brien
#17 Sara Green Gudinas
8-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-9
#16 Cheryl Gudinas
#9 Heather Stupp Stupp
11-2, 11-2, 11-4
Stupp
6-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7
#24 Kathy Williams
#25 Peggy Gardner Panzeri
11-5, 5-11, 11-9, 11-5
#8 Vicky Panzeri
#5 Caryn McKinney McKinney
11-5, 11-9, 12-10
McKinney
11-7, 7-11, 11-9, 11-5
WRIGHT
11-5, 7-11, 12-10, 11-5
#27 Cindy Baxter
#21 Christie VanHees Gilreath
11-7, 4-11, 11-9, 11-8
#12 Terri Gilreath
#13 Robin Levine Levine
9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-2
Wright
11-5, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5
#20 Janell Marriott
#29 Dot Fischl Wright
11-4, 11-8, 11-8
#4 Shannon Wright CHAMPION?
#3 Michelle Gould Gould
11-2, 11-6, 11-2
Gould
11-9, 11-9, 11-4
GOULD
11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 13-11

MCKAY
8-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-7, 11-8
#30 Lynne Coburn
#19 Toni Bevelock Kuhfeld
6-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9
#14 Kaye Kuhfeld
#11 Marci Drexler Drexler
11-4, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5
Greer
11-9, 10-12, 11-5, 8-11, 12-10
#22 Jennifer Harding
#27 Laura Fenton Greer
11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8
#6 Marci Greer
#7 Peggy Steding Steding
11-7, 11-5, 11-5
Paraiso
7-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6
MCKAY
11-6, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7
#26 Rita Hoff
#23 Karin Walton Paraiso
7-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-5
#10 Jackie Paraiso
#15 Malia Bailey Bailey
11-8, 5-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9
McKay
11-7, 11-8, 11-4
#18 Laura Martino
#31 Linda Prefontaine McKay
11-4, 11-5, 11-5
#2 Heather McKay

head to head women's quarterfinals!
Adams def. Stupp:
A very close, exciting match. Both players executed shots at a high level. Adams had to pull out all the stops to stay alive in the match. There was never a moment when either player could relax and the outcome was unknown until the very end. Adams breathed a sigh of relief that Stupp didn’t play the tour regularly.
Wright def. McKinney: McKinney fought the good fight, but Wright was just too strong and tenacious. The shots Wright can make taking the ball off the back wall are breathtaking. Plus Wright can be pretty intimidating when she starts trash-talking and McKinney wasn’t used to dealing with that. The third game was exciting and showcased both players phenomenal skills.
Gould def. Greer: Greer’s speed put a lot of pressure on Gould, and her splat shots caught Gould flat-footed on more than one occasion, but Gould’s precision and power proved to be too much for Greer’s loose game. Greer gave Gould too many opportunities, and Gould hammered Greer with photon serves to Greer’s forehand. While the fourth game was close, Gould seemed in control.
McKay def. Paraiso: Paraiso was able to put together an awesome third game, using her splats and passes to frustrate McKay, but McKay was just too consistent and strong over the course of the match. McKay had Paraiso running the four corners of the court. Whenever Paraiso made a mistake, McKay ended the rally.

head to head women's semi-finals!
Adams defeats Wright:
Wright came out fast, hitting with amazing accuracy off the back wall. Adams seemed nervous and was leaving the ball up. Wright took advantage and looked dominant in the first two games. Adams got mad, started talking to herself and paced the court like a caged panther. Adams started playing strong, mixing up her serves and shots and Wright couldn’t keep up with the pace. Adams breathes a second sigh of relief.
McKay defeats Gould: The crowd wasn’t disappointed as both players performed at their peak. Gould’s power kept McKay on her toes, but McKay quickly adjusted. McKay’s amazing pinches and wide angle passes moved Gould around more than she was used to. Both players fought hard, were able to end rallies at the first opportunity, but Gould’s lack of foot speed proved to be her undoing in the end.