Alison Ojeda made it to the singles final last year and was seeded 3rd this week.  But it is amazing how much space there can be between 3 and 1.  Petra Rampre, seeded first, defeated her easily 6-1, 6-0. 

"I learned this week that no matter how good you are, there's usually someone else better," remarked a spectator at Saturday's semifinal match.

Ojeda, who still looked forward to playing in the women's doubles and mixed finals, took the loss in stride.

"I knew she'd hit a 1,000 balls back.  A low slice backhand that I couldn't do anything with, then she'd step into her forehand and attack.  But even though I knew going in how to play her, it didn't matter.  

"She's ranked where she is for a reason," said Ojeda.  "If I were in better tennis shape, playing more tournaments, maybe I could have stayed out there a little longer.

"But, it still would have been 1 and 1."

Rampre  met Nataly Fleishman in Sunday's final after Fleishman outlasted Seredni in the semifinals (where it seemed no one could hold serve)  7-5, 6-4.  

Fleishman, who won the singles event in 2005 and was seeded 2nd this year, came out of the gate in faltering fashion against Rampre.

The schedule called for the women's final to be played at 10:00, and for the men's final to play at 1:00.  Fans arrived accordingly, thinking that perhaps they could arrive by 11:00, catch at least a set of the women, have a burger and then settle in for the men's and mixed finals to follow.

The first set of the women's final lasted only 30 minutes.  Rampre led 6-0.

Scott Steinour started to pace.  It looked as if the women's final might be over by 11:30, and he needed his men around so there wouldn't be a big gap in play.  He called McNamara & Motevassel and told them to come out to the courts.

McNamara showed up with breakfast in a grocery bag. "You made me DQ myself from brunch at Botegas," he jokingly complained to Steinour.  

"This thing could be over any minute," replied Scott.  

But it wasn't.  Instead of retreating, Fleishman came out strong in the second set.  She won the first game of the first set, and appeared on the way to a comeback after taking a 3-2 lead.

McNamara said to Steinour, "I'm gonna be [mad] if I could have gone to brunch!"

Thirty minutes later, about 11:40, it was 4-all.  Scott looked over at McNamara, who was finishing off the items in his bag.  "How's that granola bar coming?"  he asked, timidly.

McNamara growled.

Luckily for Steinour, Rampre broke Nataly's serve to make it 5-4 and served it out quickly.    

---------------------------------------------

On the other hand, Oren Motevassel and David McNamara's singles final had a different beat.   The two put on the kind of show the crowd had come to see:  A long one.

"I never get anything done when this tournament is in town," said a Salisbury member.  "I have been sitting here all day. Came and watched every night."  Did she mind that her club had been taken over for the tournament, and would she be glad to get her courts back?

"Oh, no, I love having it here.  It's close, number one.  And really, the courts are still free in the mornings, so it's not a problem at all."

The match between the two top seeded men lasted almost 3 hours, with McNamara looking like the winner early but hitting a wall by the third.  The winning score:  4-6, 7-5, 6-2 earned Motevassel a total weekly payout of $4,500 for winning in all three events.  McNamara collected funds for being a finalist to Motevassel in singles and mixed, and for being his partner in men's doubles.

"I knew for me to win, I had to win in straight sets," said 31 year old player David McNamara to reporter John Packett.  

He didn't blame it on missing lunch.  

-------------------------------------------------------------

The night before, McNamara, Motevassel, Ojeda, Schaub and Iriarte were among a group of players invited to dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse at Bellgrade.  Melissa Schaub said that it is the attention to the small details, the ones that make the players feel so special, that makes this tournament unlike any other.  She had a NY Strip and a  Pomegranate Martini, which she said was wonderful  That's one benefit of not having to play on Sunday, she agreed.  "None of this is expected by players.  But it's a great experience."

Ruth's Chris made a big contribution to this year's tournament. "Every year this tournament gets better and better," said Pam Lepper, whose husband Ray is a sponsor (Home Media Richmond).   She and Ray were sitting under the umbrellas near the court on Sunday.  The Leppers, whose company has sponsored this event in past years as well, were among those who were treated to a catered dinner by Ruth's Chris courtside on Friday night in the sponsor's tent.  "I've been totally spoiled now," said Pam.  "Having crabcakes and steak and lamb and dessert -- and all that wine served to you while you watch tennis. Wow."

--------------------------------------------------------------

Lawrence said that it has been a great experience.  His wife made a big batch of chicken and other food supplies at the beginning of the week.  "And Oren made himself an omelet in the morning."

"It's not hard to be a host family.  You go to work.  Your guest works at playing tennis all day. Just understand that you might have different schedules."

For the record.  It is NOT necessary to provide a car, let alone a BMW.  

-----------------------------------------------------------
 

Bill Barnes wanted to make sure everyone understands who is really behind this very successful tournament.  

"I'm going to borrow a quote that I heard somewhere else.  There are 7,000 parts in an airplane and not one of them can make the airplane fly by itself.  Scott and I got this tournament started but since then, there are many people that you never see working behind the scenes that make it work.

"People like Barbara and Gayle, Betsy and Sarah.  They've been here countless hours.  The host families, the ball boys and girls. The lines people.  The women who set up breakfast and food tables for the players...... The Sponsors!"

The Top Sponsors:

McDonalds
BB&T Capital Markets
Thalhimer
Ruth's Chris and Botegas bistro
Davis & Nyczepir
Mix 103.7
Home Media
DePuy
Lite Scapes

On Sunday as the final winners were announced in Mixed Doubles, Scott Steinour was sharing a bottle of champagne with volunteers.  "Are you tired?" I asked.  

"I was tired starting on Monday," he replied.

His wife Gretchen was out of town. so things had piled up a bit during the week.  A family member came over to his house mid-week and did his laundry.

"That was great," said Scott.  "Otherwise I probably wouldn't have had anything to wear."

Scott, with his Salisbury pros Trip Baisden, Lee Byerly and Molly Girts did an outstanding job and all of us in the Richmond tennis community owe them a big pat on the back for allowing us to be part of it.  I gladly accepted a glass of champagne, and we toasted.  

"Here's to next year," said Scott.

  Still More photos   

    story by: Sara James