1998 HTTC Houston Spring Open
June 6, 1998 saw the toughest competition yet at a Houston Open.
With 4 of the top 25 players in the country vying for the championship,
the crowd broke into rauccus applause on dozens of occasions.
The top players competing were Jim Butler, Eric Owens, Viktor Subonj, Niraj, Oak, Roberto Byles, and Taju Oshodi. Robert Mayer did an excellent job as tournament director and everyone enjoyed the event. It was great to see the future generations of TT players represented so well at this event.
In the semi-finals, Viktor upset the #2 seed, Owens in three straight games. Viktor played as if possessed. In the other semi, Niraj grabbed the first game from Butler and almost the second and third, before Jim's experience took control and brought him the victory.
In the finals, Viktor played with the same intensity and power that he had against Eric. Again, Jim won the first game this time but just barely. The second game was the match of the tournament. The two battled for every point. There were seven deuces before Viktor seized the game 28-26. Jim was continually pounding the backhand in the first two games. Starting in the third, Viktor started to anticipate the placement and return them. Still, Jim took the third game. It looked for sure that we were in for a five game thriller as Viktor leaped out to a lead in the fourth, but Jim showed why he is the #3 player in the US and stormed back to close out the match.
The end of the match was punctuated with a standing ovation from the over 100 spectators (typical HTTC crowd on the bleachers behind the camera) there watching it unfold. The ovation was well deserved!
