Razor thin

The first slam of the year down under is under way. Novak Djokovic survived a first round scare against a player half his age. The 10-time champion is poised to extend his record, both in the tournament and in the all-time count. Not because Rafael Nadal is not around, the king of clay withdrew before the first round. Even if he continued, there are serious doubts about his freedom from injury and rust.

But fitness was not an issue among the finalists in the Category C+ of the Mandaue City Tennis Club Tournament earlier this week. It was about mental toughness, the stuff that made Djokovic win 24 grand slam titles and counting. Julius Gutierrez and Jay Villamor forced a sudden death battle when they initially beat Randel Macalolooy and Marcial Sosas who had a twice-to-beat advantage.

Randel, better known as JV McLoy, even had a two-championship advantage over his own partner and the duo on the other side of the net. But his finals experience was tested to the hilt by the tenacious police officers who broke back each time they lost their serve to force a tiebreak.

Rightfully, a final should be an edge-of-seat epic that could go either way. No one is entitled to the title until the match point is won. McLoy and Sosas bungled two match points in what appeared to be a sure ball. But then no one would ever know what happens next. Even JV McLoy netted the easy overhead smash he perfected over a long period of time.

But they held their own nerves in the tiebreak, the kind of clincher that characterize almost all finals in Mandaue City, be it the charter day, fiesta or this time, Christmas tournament. The demanding and discriminating audience deserves no less than a clincher worthy of a championship.

In the end, Randel and Marcial won the finals on their nth match point, the point that usually eludes the inexperienced, the nervous and the unlucky. But the night belongs to them, more so to JV McLoy who won his third championship trophy, equaling the record of a retired and tired awkward player buoyed by fluke, prayers and a better partner who compensated for his mediocre game.

History was witnessed by two men seated in the millionaire s row, Benjie Trinidad, one-time champion and Elmer Ferrolino, who could have been a champion had he started to play two decades ago. At least once maybe, thrice is a question of what if. But he now focuses on what is   swimming in the rough seas. What will be is better left to destiny.

Kid Bate also watched the finals that eluded him, despite his footwork, ripped abdomen and searing groundstrokes. Jerome Dela Cruz, who could have won at least one but defaulted many to drink fresh water. And Andrew Cavada, who watched in remote telecast to avoid seeing finalists who could not play the way he does, his one-inch above the net zapping ball is inimitable. And untouchable.