Sam challenged Fernando to a rematch at the Penmar Courts on 5/25/11 following a string of embarrassing, humiliating, and emasculating defeats. As usual, Sam and Fernando traded wins for the first two games, but Sam was able to pull ahead to an almost insurmountable lead of 5-1.  Fernando began to feel humiliated, and began to use Sam’s weak endgame to his own advantage, staging a formidable 5-4 comeback.  Sam’s strong start, however, was mathematically too strong for Fernando, and he was ultimately defeated 6-4 by Sam.

Even though Sam was able to best Fernando this time, his endgame is beginning to become a cause for concern.  Is it just a matter of time before this cancer spreads to the rest of his game? Or will he improve on it and become a formidable opponent for SMTB? Most spectators were saying the former, but let’s hope for the latter.

Sam now has a career 3-8 record against Fernando.