Congratulations to Corey McFarlane who will play on Wednesday for the GSC Tennis ChampionshipCorey McFarlane advanced to his first GSC Tennis Tournament final with a thrilling come from behind victory over Eric Eagon 4-6, 6-0, 7-5, on Monday June 7. McFarlane used his strong net game to pressure Eagon into many unforced errors. Strangely enough, the turning point of the match may have occurred early in the 2nd set when McFarlane took off his t-shirt to reveal a tight, black Under Armor lycra sleeveless shirt that clothed his powerful muscular physique. And right on cue it seemed as if Eagon was intimidated. McFarlane charged the net and began playing an aggressive, daring brand of tennis .
In attendance were vanquished #2, and #3 seeds Khan and Paredes. Both seemed at pains to witness the rise of McFarlane at their expense. Also in attendance was three-time GSC Tennis Champion Max Estenger who has never lost a set to his final's opponent Corey McFarlane. However, this is the first time the two will meet officially in the GSC tournament. Before we get to the final where Estenger will be an overwhelming favorite to capture his unprecedented fourth title, it is important to review McFarlane's breakthrough achievement in this tournament. Last year, he was bounced in the quarters by Paredes, and even this year he was unable to beat either Paredes or Khan in the preliminaries to the tournament. And yet, he has surpassed both of his rivals, despite the doubts from many within his own Phys Ed Department. John Zarcone foolishly predicted an easy win for Eagon. Virgil Aponte fresh off his embarrasing unsuccessful stint as Khan's "coach" also doubted McFarlane's chances.
McFarlane brushed aside these negative forces and in the case of Zarcone said cryptically, "What do you expect? I don't know whether he can even be objective when it comes to someone like me." McFarlane is now 3-0 in the tournament and has gone the full three sets in his last two matches to make it to the finals displaying a high level of fitness. He is guaranteeing a victory Wednesday and will be playing in front of his baby daughter Sidney. Estenger has questioned this stunt and is concerned that the match and what he plans to do to her daddy could traumatize the young 16 month old baby.
As far as Wednesday's final is concerned, McFarlane feels like his concentration needs to be at its zenith. He will rely on his chip and charge tactics to rattle Estenger. Estenger for his part had this comment after the McFarlane-Eagon match: "Everyone will be cheering for Corey on Wednesday, I get that. I welcome that. I am the Yankees, the Lakers, the Patriots, the Federer, the Tiger Woods of this tournament. But on Wednesday, Corey's little Cinderella story will be over. It was nice, everyone likes him, he's a terrific athlete but I will destroy him on the court. I don't care how many babies he brings." When pressed further on his issues with McFarlane, Estenger said, "I don't appreciate some of the things he's done during the tournament that have been disrespectful to the game, the tournament and to other players. That's why I feel it necessary to take it to him on Wednesday. There will be no mercy. I'm glad it's him."
When told of this, Corey McFarlane had one final comment: "I respect everything that Max Estenger has done in this tournament, and he has earned every right to degrade me and everyone else in the draw, including threatening to have me removed from the tournament for minor rules violations. However, championships are won on the court and not on websites!" McFarlane went on to trash the quality of opponents that Estenger has faced: "I also think that it's obvious that I played a much higher caliber of opponent than Estenger. Zarcone wouldn't have even escaped Paredes if they had played."
Could Estenger finally lose in this tournament? Is McFarlane the young, fresh face that could give us an exciting final? Estenger is 12-0 in his four year run here and has yet to drop a set. But he has never met the caliber of athlete that he will meet Wednesday in Corey McFarlane. The world will be cheering for Corey. David meets Goliath circa 2010. Don't miss it!
