WPH Press, Portland, OR, 10/15/22
The Portland field was reduced from eight to two on Saturday, as the pros battled for ranking points and the season’s first title.
Lucho Cordova met John Bike for the first time on the R48 tour after facing the former collegiate baseball player in July’s 3-Wall Icebreaker. Cordova was too strong for Jab, neutralizing Bike’s power and controlling the action throughout to advance in two games.
David Fink and Max Langmack met for just the second time on the tour in the day’s second quarterfinal. Langmack raced to a 10-2 first-game lead, dominating with power serves and overhand kills. Fink rallied, hitting three straight aces and catching Langmack at ten. Fink won the longer rallies in the game’s second half, completing the comeback to take a one-game lead. Langmack took control of the second game, making numerous paddle fly-kills off two-wall passes. The tiebreaker was tight early, with both R48 pros desperately seeking a semifinal spot. Fink built a 10-3 lead by forcing Langmack errors in the back court and executing several kills. Langmack cut the deficit to 7-10, but Fink regained control, scoring the final five points of the match, including an ace down the right for the fifteenth point.
Martin Mulkerrins defeated Loren Collado in April’s Player’s Championship quarterfinals, allowing the Northern Californian just one point in two games. Collado was far more competitive in this matchup, pushing Mulkerrins in both games. “This was the kind of match I needed,” stated Mulkerrins. “I’ve been teaching beginners (at Texas A&M) and just floating the ball back into play and Loren made me pay every time I did that.”
Danos Cordova faced the tour’s newest pro, Kyle English for a spot in the semifinals. English led 10-7 in game one before Danos shifted to fifth gear, scoring the final eight points of the game. Danos built a lead in game two and cruised to the semifinals. “Mentally, I’m not there yet,” stated Danos. “I am just trying to up my intensity and level with each match. Kyle is really strong and really fast.”
Lucho Cordova and David Fink renewed their 12-year rivalry in the upper bracket semifinal, with Lucho beating Fink in the final of August’s Icebreaker. Fink would not be overwhelmed in this matchup, taking an 11-9 lead in game one. Lucho recovered, scoring the final six points of the game. Fink found himself in a similar position in game two, leading 12-6 but could not force a third, falling in two games.
“I played pretty well but just missed way too many chances,” lamented Fink. “Still a pretty good tournament for me, all things considered.”
Mulkerrins and Danos played a roller coaster semifinal, with Martin dominating game one with an array of sidearm kills, Irish whip kills, and ace serves. Danos fell behind 0-3 in game two but took off from there, hitting power hop serves and first-striking his way to a 14-8 lead. Martin made a late run but could not catch Danos. Martin reversed the script in the tiebreaker, allowing no points and only three service innings for Danos.
“He just changed over in the second game,” stated Mulkerrins. “It was like déjà vu from six to seven years ago and hitting that spin serve. I’ve been working on my serve a lot and the game with Loren helped me a lot. You have to be careful in situations like that (after Danos hurt his finger) and he would want me to play my best and I want him to play his best. Look, we’re great competitors and great friends as well. Both Cordovas played with their heart on their sleeve and leave it all out there.”
Quarterfinals
Lucho def Bike 15-2, 15-2
Fink def Langmack 15-11, 6-15, 15-7
Mulkerrins def Collado 15-11, 15-9
Danos def English 15-11, 15-10
Semifinals
Lucho def Fink 15-11, 15-12
Mulkerrins def Danos 15-5, 12-15, 15-0
Watch Sunday’s 5th place final and pro final starting at 9 am PST from the MAC, broadcast live on Patreon HERE
Follow the draws and results of the Portland Classic R48 IX R48LTE HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer