ZP wins Southeast Championship!

ZP recovers from 1st-set loss to take Championship from a fatigued KI 5-7,7-5,6-2.

Harmon Park, By Steve England, ESVN - History was made today!  A player who until today has never won a TowerTennis match walks away as a Regional Champion!  Amazing yes, perhaps unfair, but all part of the plan!  I know that some of you with victories under your belt, but eliminated before getting your name on the trophy have legitimate grievances.  However, the bracket was designed to give more than just three, or four players a taste of victory!  It was designed to filter players into brackets of similar abilities.  Giving each bracket it's own satellite championship, and then feed a playoff for the big event!  Although both Southeast finalist came to today's match victory-less.  They both knew that with just one great game, they could win a title!  I think the score shows... that each player came to win!

KI began the match playing very well!  Roger holds a 40-15 lead, then aces ZP to finish him off!  Meanwhile, ZP resorts to lofty underhand serves after a double-double giving KI yet another game.  KI extends his lead to 4-1 before ZP comes alive.  ZP catches KI at 5-5, but falls short when KI hits behind ZP scrambling from off court.  KI takes the 1st-set 7-5.

KI lead the 2nd-set 3-1, and looked like he was well on his way to achieving victory. Until ZP volleys high and deep to tag the baseline.  Zeke, then ricochets a service return to tie it up 3-3.  KI plays catch-up the rest of the set, but falls behind from 5-5 as ZP pulls away for a 7-5 win leveling the match 1-set all.

Perhaps caused by fatigue... KI appeared to be giving up in the final-set.  Zeke motivates KI by bringing this to his attention.  KI punishes Zeke for his insolence - slamming repeated service returns for uncontested winners!  Ultimately, I believe KI ran out of gas.  Zeke demonstrated amazing agility... getting to shots which should have been clear winners, and seemed to have more energy toward the end.  ZP cruises to a 6-2 victory in the final-set becoming the very first Southeast Champion!