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 News from Around Banderas Bay | February 2006 
Pepsi Classic Tennis Tournament Results
 Bob Cohen - PVNN
Holiday Inn Tennis Pro Rafael Castillon put together yet another quality event for tennis fans at the 8th Annual Pepsi Classic Tennis Tournament, which was held at the Holiday Inn Puerto Vallarta last Saturday afternoon.
Yan Welffens came from down one set, to dominate Sergio "Cachito" Martinez in the final two sets to win his third consecutive "A" tournament in Puerto Vallarta. Dropping the first set 7-5 to the local 15 year old future star, Yan took the second set 6-1, and closed out the match with a 6-3 third set victory.
Utilizing a powerful forehand and precise shot making, he wore down the younger Martinez, but not without a fight. Sergio, standing only 5'4" and weighing maybe 115 pounds at most, was troubled with a first serve that he was unable to establish and allowed Welffens to be more aggressive on his second service.
Both players had some tremendous displays of blistering ground strokes, but the energetic Welffens was able to move Martinez around the court in claiming the clear lead in the Puerto Vallarta Men's division in 2006.
In other results, Ramci Casab defeated Adrian Renteria in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3 in the "B" singles finals. The smaller, quicker and more consistent Casab won handily over the bigger and stronger hitting Renteria.
Rodrigo Mendoza won the "C" division, defeating Jose A. Bolaños 6-4, 6-3 in a match that was played in true "C" fashion; the player that made the most mistakes lost. The "C" division had the largest draw with 33 entries, as Puerto Vallarta players proved to the crowds that the division has plenty of quality. One of the many watching the event stated that the finals looked as if it was a "B" quality play.
Welffens made a family sweep of the Martinez' as he beat older brother Roberto in the semi-finals on Friday in a grueling 7-6, 7-5 match. Sergio got to the finals in a three set match defeating Rafael Lobato 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Not to detract from other top local players, but Yan is on a roll, playing superb tennis and he is clearly the player that everyone is looking to knock off, an enviable but difficult place to be; on the top.
Another tournament was announced this week in tennis-crazed Vallarta. From February 24th - March 5th, the "Festival Bahia De Banderas 2006" will be played at the new Paradise Village El Tigre Racquet Club and at Club Marival, both located in Nuevo Vallarta. Professional men will be playing in this one with the added "AA" division, along with "A", "B", "C" and "D" divisions.
The women will also play in "B", "C" and "D" divisions and youth will play in 12 & under, 14 & under and 16 and under divisions. Tennis Pro Norberto Aguirre will run the event, and can be reached on his cellular phone at 044-322-205-7274. One can either call Norberto or the resorts for more information.
Good news for "A" players; Welffens will be traveling out of town and will miss the tournament. Congratulations to all players that competed and to Holiday Inn tennis pro Rafael Castillon for putting together yet another quality event. |
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