May 26, 2008

#7 Amanda McDowell (Georgia Tech)

#7 Amanda McDowell (Georgia Tech) def. Zuzana Zemenova (Baylor) 6-2, 6-3
About the match...
"I thought it was a really good match. I don't think the score really reflects how quality the match was. I think we were really toe-to-toe for a little bit in the first set. She hits a really heavy ball so I struggled with that for a little bit at the beginning, but I adjusted to it pretty well. I just tried to move around the court. I played her backhand a little more today than her forehand. She had a pretty good forehand that she could use to attack me. I thought I stepped up pretty well on her serve today. At the beginning, I thought my first serve percentage was a little low but I got it together and started winning a lot of service points on my first serve. I was pretty happy with my match today."

Is there a sense of relief in making it through the tournament?
"Definitely, you have to battle the elements. Playing in Tulsa, it's hot and windy at the same time so you have to have really good footwork. You have to be in great shape to win this. I think both me and Z.Z. (Zuzana Zemenova) were ready."

On the strategy for the match...
Coach Bryan Shelton
"It's part of the game-plan not to allow her (Zuzana Zemenova) to control the court with her forehand. I thought Amanda did a great job of neutralizing her first serves when she directed the balls to her backhand strong, which gave her the upper hand in the point. I thought with her positioning on the court she took advantage of the kick serves that Z.Z. was throwing in there today."

On winning the championship...
Amanda McDowell
"It's one of the most rewarding moments of my life. I don't think I've ever felt so happy and exhausted at the same time."

Tulsa Women's Tennis

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Notes 

Record & Fact Book 

C-USA Notebook 

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