Dynasty Champ - JT succumbs to heat...forced to retire before match concludes!
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| photos by Schewe! |
Harmon Park, by Steve England; ESVN (Fair and Balanced) - Two champions braved a court temperature of 154° today. Both men came to play, but one man (The Croatian Sensation) came with a vengeance! The defending champion doesn't even lose a single point until the third game---quickly jumping to a 4-0 lead before JT gets on the board! Once there however, JT exploits the defending champ's complacency closing to within a game of tying the 1st-set. Just when it looks like the set will get leveled...JT hits the net! Now, rather than a 4-4 tie...The Croatian Sensation leaps to 5-3! JT ratchets up his serve to close further to 5-4 down, but Sopcic easily closes out the set from a triple set-point advantage!
Sopcic jumps out early in the second as well, and JT finds himself playing catch-up until he's 4-2 down! After an exhaustive run of rallies---JT feels that he's unable to continue! The heat had taken it's toll on yet another TowerTennis participant! JT wisely decides to retire before his condition becomes serious, and the Croatian Sensation advances to the title match for the third straight year! Sopcic wins: 6-4,4-2 (retired).
Sopcic jumps out early in the second as well, and JT finds himself playing catch-up until he's 4-2 down! After an exhaustive run of rallies---JT feels that he's unable to continue! The heat had taken it's toll on yet another TowerTennis participant! JT wisely decides to retire before his condition becomes serious, and the Croatian Sensation advances to the title match for the third straight year! Sopcic wins: 6-4,4-2 (retired).
