Tournament Summary
Giron's Streak Continues, McPhillips Claims Second Straight Title at ITF Easter Bowl
by
Colette Lewis, 22 April 2011
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Two impressive streaks were on the line when Marcos Giron and Kyle McPhillips took the court last weekend for championship matches at the ITF Grade B1 Easter Bowl in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Giron had won 17 consecutive ITF junior matches in a three-week span, capturing the Grade 4 in Claremont, the Grade 1 at the
International Spring Championships and five matches at the Easter Bowl. McPhillips had won 17 straight Easter Bowl matches, including a dozen from 2010, when she won both singles and doubles titles in the 16s
division. Those singles streaks will continue, with the unseeded Giron defeating No. 7 seed
Mac Styslinger 6-1, 7-5 in the boys final, while No. 13 seed McPhillips triumphed over No. 9 seed
Gabrielle Andrews 6-4, 6-4 in the girls championship match.
On a scorching afternoon at the Rancho Las Palmas Resort, McPhillips was facing not only the 2010 14s Easter Bowl champion, but an opponent who had a perfect 3-0 record against her.
The 17-year-old from Ohio knew that her serve and her intensity had to improve if she was going to beat Californian Andrews, who had upset top seed Grace Min in the semifinals.
"I served better," McPhillips said when asked what had led to her first victory over Andrews in four tries. "I was pretty intense on every point. That was the key, keeping my intensity and focus high the whole entire match. It was a big factor in that last game, because if I had let go just a little bit, I would still be out there."
McPhillips was referring to the marathon game that ended the match, after she had failed to convert either of the two match points she had with Andrews serving at 3-5.
