PETE ZIEBRON in SURPRISE, AZ
2014 Surprise Champion Michael Chang Charles Gabrean Photography
Michael Chang coasted to a 6-2 victory over Mark Philippoussis on Friday night in the Championship match of the final stop of the PowerShare Series at the Surprise Tennis Center. Immediately after the victory, Chang referenced the fact that it was a special win for him in the on-court interview with Jimmy Arias and dedicated his efforts to his grandmother who died earlier in the week. Chang also shared that he was happy that his family and parents were able be on hand.
Chang and Jim Courier opened play on Friday with a tightly contested semifinal. Each player held serve for the first 10 games of the match although both players playfully questioned several line calls in the first 3 games of the match. In the first point of the 10th game of the match with Chang serving at 4-5, Courier hit a beautiful backhand down the line for a winner. As Chang looked at Courier in amazement, Courier stated "I watched Djokovic play a lot in Palm Springs last week - I do not have that shot for the record."
Michael Chang would win that game at 30 and broke at 30 in Courier's next service game. Chang jumped to a 40-15 lead as he served for the match, however Courier would claw back to deuce, save yet another match point and eventually break to send the first semifinal to a tiebreaker.
In the breaker, Chang raced to a 5-2 lead and then held 3 more match points at 6-3. Courier erased 2 more match points to get it to 5-6 however Michael Chang would finally win the match on his 7th match point 7-6 (5).
Mark "The Scud" Philippoussis in action in Surprise Charles Gabrean Photography
Next up was Todd Martin and Mark Philippoussis, who was a late substitute for an injured Pete Sampras. Each player held serve for the initial 7 games of the match before Philippoussis was able to solve Martin as he served at 3-4 and broke him at 30.
Now, as Philippoussis served for the match, the drama got underway in the 2nd semifinal. Philippoussis got to 40-30 but was unable to convert on match point. This would be the first of 6 deuces in the 9th game of the match. After double faulting on his 3rd match point, Martin grinned and told Philippoussis to "Keep bringing that aggressive second serve." He did and finally on his 4th match point, Philippoussis won the match to advance to the Final against Michael Chang.
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