Saturday, August 03, 2002
Bahrami earns raves from fans with boisterous doubles play
Antics earn him exhibition spot in doubles today
By Dave Schutte
Enquirer contributor
Win or lose, Mansour Bahrami has gone away a winner in the eyes of those attending the Western & Southern Financial Group Seniors Masters Tournament.
Again last night, Bahrami won the hearts of the fans in attendance, putting on an exhibition that drew laughter, tears and and a standing ovation at the conclusion.
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Tonight's Schedule
Exhibition doubles match, 7 p.m.
Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies
Consolation: Fernandez/Davidson vs. Novotna/Gullikson or Rinaldi/Gottfried
Championship: Schultz-McCarthy/Mayer vs. Novotna/Gullikson or Rinaldi/Gottfried.
Friday's Results
Fernandez/Davidson (1-1) d. Mandlikova/Fillol (0-2) 8-3
Schultz-McCarthy/Mayer (2-0) d. Garrison/Bahrami (0-2)
Novotna/Gullikson v., Rinaldi/Gottfried
Qualifier
Stadium Court: Spadea vs. Fish 10 a.m.; Philippousis vs. Witten; Martis vs Zimmerman n; Arthurs vs. Pioline.
Grandstand Court: Levy vs Coria, 10 a.m.; Srichaphan vs. Black; Harper-Griffith vs. Lee; Puentes vs. Ginepri.
Court 3: Llodra vs. Zimonjic, 10 a.m.; Etlis vs. Kim; Delgado vs. Mamiit; Pless vs. Vosloo.
Court 4: Saulnier vs. Carlsen, 10 a.m.; Stepanek vs. Russell; Okun vs. Verkerk; Trifu vs. Ogorodov.
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In a 90-minute match , Bahrami and Zina Garrison lost to the undefeated team of Brenda Schultz-McCarthy and Gene Mayer 8-5 at the ATP Tennis Center.
About 75 young and older fans, lined up for Bahrami's autograph, with the native of Iran taking time to sign for everyone.
“That was the best tennis I've ever seen,” a middle-aged man yelled to Bahrami. “I'm glad I brought my kids, and I'll be back tomorrow to watch you again.”
Although Bahrami and Garrison didn't qualify for the third-place or championship matches, tournament chairman Paul Flory decided to add an exhibition men's doubles match at 7 p.m. today with Bahrami in action.
“People need this type of tennis,” Schultz-McCarthy said. “The crowd was here to have some fun. If you put every ball away hard, the crowd would be upset.”
Chair umpire Gregg Rampleman also got involved, playing along with Bahrami's antics.
“Last night (Thursday), there were no balls hit to me,” Bahrami said of the lackluster performance. “None of us have anything to prove. We're here to have some fun. Tonight was the way it should be.”
Bahrami's array of trick shots is second to none and includes behind-the-back and finely-tuned shots at the net. He also accurately serves in six or seven different ways and jumped the net three times to return his own shots.
At one point, the crowd vigorously clapped their hands to the rhythm of Bahrami's dancing feet.
The victory moved Schultz-McCarthy/Mayer into tonight's championship match against the winner of the late match of Kathy Rinaldi-Brian Gottfried and Jana Novotna-Tom Gullikson.
In the consolation match, Gigi Fernandez and Owen Davidson will play Jana Novotna/Tom Gullikson at 8:30 p.m.
In between the exhibition and the consolation (third place) matches, Tony Trabert and Billy Talbert will be inducted into the newly created Cincinnati Tennis Hall of Fame.
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Bahrami earns raves from fans with boisterous doubles play
