Champ staggered by 1st set loss... but toll too much for LD.

Harmon Park 09-19-07. In a rematch of last year's championship finals. LD was primed to take JT down. Spending hours pounding buckets of balls, LD came to the court ready to play. Perhaps overconfident, JT spent little time preparing for today's match --- almost paying a price for it.
Both player's were noticeably improved from last year. LD's overall game, and JT's new backhand. Many baseline battles were a joy to watch. LD concentrated on JT's backhand, while JT ran the Lord from side to side. Ultimately, it was this strategy which took the Lord out of the match.

As F16's scream overhead distracting the Lord. The first set could have gone either way. Tied at 4-4, 30-all... LD calls a second serve out. Although challenged by JT, the Lord upholds his call taking a 30-40 lead. Now agitated, the Champ double faults... giving LD a 5-4 advantage. Serving for the set, the Lord's serves are relatively weak, giving JT an edge. Despite this disadvantage LD manages to reach set point. Now do-or-die, a phenomenal point results where both players fight for their tournament lives. JT survives one set point, but soon goes down in controversy. Losing track of the score --- LD calls deuce when JT thought it was his advantage. Unhappily, JT yields the point, then soon finds himself setpoint down again. The Lord then makes a disputed call (ON SET POINT) taking the first set 6-4.

Angered by his loss, and the controversial nature of his demise. JT comes out swinging in the 2nd. Meanwhile, LD has been showing signs of back trouble since late in the 1st. LD's pain was evident, and JT punished him for this incapacity. The second and third sets were all JT. Barely able to play, and seeing the inevitable, LD retires giving JT the victory. Champ tested, but prevails again: 4-6, 6-1, 4-1 (retired).