Day 2: Dion Downs Resing & Berry Back to Brilliant Best?

Two more household names are added to the EiPSI Open semi-final draw as Dion Boesten beats Jacques Resing to set up a clash with Jerry den Hartog, and Berry Schoenmakers outbagels Thijs Laarhoven to set up a repeat of the 2012 final with Stan Korzilius.

The day kicked off with the match between Dion Boesten and Jacques Resing, a re-match of the 2013 quarter-final in which Resing proved the best of the two in a third set decider. This time was different though, as Boesten continued his good run of the summer with some attacking play to quickly take a 4-0 lead. Jacques took the next two to get back in it at 4-2, but Dion responded in style to take the first set 6-2. At five to love in the second, Jacques wanted to avoid a whitewash at all costs, using all his will power to get back to 5-3. But those hoping for a comeback were to be disappointed, as Dion took the next game to set up a clash with Jerry den Hartog, a first time for this fixture. “Dion played well”, said a disappointed Jacques Resing, “and unfortunately I made just a little bit too many forehand errors.”

Meanwhile, 2011 winner Berry Schoenmakers seemed to have a favorable draw against Thijs Laarhoven, even so much so that he was rumoured to be spending more time planning his potential semi-final than preparing for the task at hand. Thi(j)s proved to be no problem, however, as the Veldhovenaar did not put up much resistance initially, losing six straight games in the first set and then allowing Berry to hold in the beginning of the second. Thijs fought back to earn two game points in the eighth game, but squandered them both.

After that, the winning line was in plain sight for Berry, as he also took the remaining games to complete the double bagles — a feat that he has been able to complete only once before, in his championship year 2011. Is Berry back to his brilliant best? “I played a solid match”, commented the Eindhoven native, “I stayed calm and did not make many mistakes, and Thijs did not really put enough strength in his balls to put me under pressure”.

Thus, after day two of this year’s Open, we have our semi-final line-up, and it’s a good one! Stan Korzilius will try to extend his unbeaten run, but three EiPSI members will try to bring the cup back home: Jerry den Hartog, Berry Schoenmakers and Dion Boesten all have a good record in this tournament, and will fancy their chances.

Tomorrow, the saga continues with the Schoenmakers v Korzilius Clash (time TBA).

Berry v Thijs as it happened:

18:25 And we’re live at the TU/e tennis courts, where Berry has just taken the first set against Thijs at 6-0

18:28 Is there a way back for the man from Veldhoven?

18:28 “Kom op gek!” That’s the kind of exclamations that we’ve come to know Berry from in the last few years

18:29 And Berry holds, but allows Thijs to reach 40-30 at his own serve…

18:30 Another game point… “Te nonchalant”!

18:32 But now, a BREAK POINT! And Berry does his duty to move 2-0 up and continue the whitewash

18:35 3-0… Can Berry finish it before supper time? He’s making a phone call home just to check…

18:39 Some longer rallies there in Thijs’ service game. But it’s not enough to put Berry under pressure. 30-40, and another break for a 4-0 lead!

18:40 Thijs blaming his doubles experience: “in doubles this is allowed”, when hitting yet another shot in the tramlines. 40-15.

18:41 And 5-0. Thijs to serve to stay in this years championships.

18:43 30-30.. The chances are there, but not much time for Thijs to take them…

18:46 But 30-40 now: match point to Berry. And he takes it. Double bagels for Berry, who faces Stan in the semis tomorrow.