Peter’s a heckuva player, but honestly he can’t love this draw. He scores six points in the first two games against the NEWGY Robo-Pong Champ, before he gets a better feel for Stefan’s serve. Still, it’s a tall order to go after a World-Ranked player in the Quarters. Feth advances in straight games, 4, 2, 9, 7.

Nan Li comes out smoking! Nicking Misha for the first game 11-6. But it seems to me that Misha has developed some patience, and in many of his matches at the Western Open was willing to explore his opponent before applying his new-found knowledge. From Game two forward, there is little doubt. Misha applies the crusher in game three when he trailed 10-8, but rattled off four straight points for the win! Misha advances to the Quarterfinals, -6, 7,10,6,-6,6.

Okay, I have to make a confession in fairness to you, the reader. I have become a Barney Reed fan. I root for Barney. I find theories and want to offer helpful advice to Barney. See, Barney comes to most of the NATT STIGA Tour events, and is invariably cheerful and helpful. But what a year he’s had, losing in the Quarters of most Open Singles, being upset by Ben Johnson in Nashville and Tawny Banh in San Diego…so please pardon the prejudice and simple-minded opinions I write now. I have developed the theory that Barney is too eager to adopt the playing style of his opponent, whether it is a conscious decision or not, I cannot tell. Against Tawny, he was willing to stand at the table and bang away with her, her game. Against Don Hamilton, he became a backcourt lobber and fisher. Against Ben Johnson, he was trading powerloops. Will the real Barney Reed please step forward? Here he faces the persistent and pesky Anh Nguyen, who never quits and likes to angle you around from close at the table. Barney wins the first game handily, 11-3, but I wonder if he can deal with the crowd, sometimes his focus wavers. The spectators are all tight to the barriers, even staring through the inside glass wall of the gym, four deep. It seems an issue because Barney falls behind 7-3 in game two before pulling it out, 11-8. Come on, stop fooling around. Anh takes game three, 11-3. Man. Now I see something I like, Barney has found a tactic that Nguyen has difficulty dealing with, slow, spinny backhand loops that strike the center line, just at the end line, forcing Nguyen to back up. These produce some feeble blocks and clean misses. Barney sweeps past Nguyen 3, 8,-3, 9, and 7.

Vadillo’s a fighter, but Freddie’s one talented player! He seems to have no problem with Vadillo being a lefty. Vadillo tries to crowd Freddie in tight to the backhand wing, but Freddie is stepping around…and looping down the line into Vadillo’s forehand! What’s he spotted? Whatever it is, it’s a winning tactic, and Freddie takes the fist two games at 4 and 7. But I keep saying, Vadillo’s fighter. He certainly is! It’s Freddie’s court coverage that keeps him close in Game three…11 all…12 all…14 all! Freddie wins on his serve and calls Time Out. Trailing by one, but holding serve, Vadillo has two minutes to think about. Four shots later, it’s Freddie’s game 16-14! 11-8, Gabriel wins the fourth game, too. It’s the closest four game victory I’ve seen in a while! Yosmely and the other Quarterfinalists each get $145, and four players remain.