El Tigre Week
Round of 16 at the 2014 NYAC
WPH Patreon Press
Watch El Tigre vs. TGO at the 2014 NYAC R48 Men’s Pro HERE
Two of handball’s greats met in the round of 16 at the 2014 NYAC R48 Men’s Pro, with Chapman making one of his many comebacks, and Alvarado seeking to continue his consistent play that kept him inside the top five on the R48 rankings since the inception of the tour in 2011.
This match had more twists and turns than a drive through Northern California. Relive it as we Crunch the Numbers!
Stats: Second Half Only
Aces
Alvarado, Jr.: 0
Chapman: 0
Chapman served mostly lob and overhand serves, while Alvarado’s serve was neutralized by the best service return in the history of the game combined with his inability to consistently hit his first serve over the short line
First Strike Kills
Alvarado, Jr.: 5
Chapman: 8
Eight of Chapman’s 15 second half points came off first-strikes, mainly dump-paddle kills into the corners or down the wall, while Alvarado scored five of his ten second half points with sidearm swings
Return of Serve Kills
Alvarado, Jr.: 3
Chapman: 2
Both legends made one another pay for poor serves, as the pair combined for five first strike kills in the 39-minute half. The most important shot of the match was Alvarado’s return of serve kill with his left with Chapman serving at 23-24, allowing Alvarado to serve for the match for the sixth time
Right Hand Rally-Enders
Alvarado, Jr.: 9
Chapman: 18
Chapman struck all of his right-handed kills with a paddle or first, while Alvarado relied on his classic sidearm stroke to do his damage.
Left Hand Rally Enders
Alvarado, Jr.: 9
Chapman: 6
Alvarado was well-balanced in his offensive attack, tallying nine kills with each hand, while Chapman relied on his sword and shield mentality, hitting three times more kills with his right than his left in the half
6+ Shot Rallies Won
Alvarado, Jr.: 6
Chapman: 11
As expected, Chapman won more of the longer rallies (65%)
Errors
Alvarado, Jr.: 9
Chapman: 7
Both Alvarado and Chapman made far more errors than each would have liked, as Chapman made seven errors and Alvarado nine
Fly Kills:
Alvarado, Jr.: 2
Chapman: 2
Hinders: 8
The legends could not stay out of each other’s way, as they combined for 8(!) hinders in just one half. Entire Race 4 Eight events have been played with less than eight hinders, but these legends refused to move, making the job of the referee extremely challenging
Chapman raced to an 8-1 lead in the first half, only to see Alvarado storm back with a streak of 14 unanswered points to take a 15-8 halftime lead. Chapman scored the first seven points of the second half to tie the score at 15, striking three first-strike kills, zero errors, and winning four of the five 6+ shot rallies on his seven-point streak.
Alvarado needed seven minutes and 40 seconds to score his first point of the second half, and once he did, he added six more points to lead 22-15.
Alvarado earned his first match point at 24-20 at 47:40 of the match, and earned a setup that should have ended the match. Alvarado was unable to convert the setup, and was also unable to convert his next four match points. Chapman appeared to be on the verge of forcing overtime at 23-24, thirteen minutes after Alvarado’s first match point. Alvarado executed his third return of serve kill of the second half with highest stakes, earning the serve and his sixth match point12 minutes and 35 seconds after his first. Alvarado finally converted, bringing an end to one of the longest halves in Race 4 Eight history (39 minutes).
Time (second half only): 39 minutes
Final: 25-23
Total Points Scored in the Second Half: 25 (Chapman outscored Alvarado 15-10 in the second half)
2014 NYAC R48 Men’s Pro draw HERE
Watch El Tigre vs. TGO at the 2014 NYAC R48 Men’s Pro HERE
David Fink
WPH Patreon Statistician