Special from
Zoo Tennis
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PLANTATION, Fla.–Jordan Lee and Xiaotong Wang traveled from the IMG Academy International Championships in Bradenton to the Orange Bowl in Plantation with completely different perspectives, but both emerged with the winner's crystal bowl of oranges last Saturday at the Veltri Tennis Center.
Floridian Lee completed the junior version of the Sunshine Double, capping his fortnight with a second straight title, the first boy to accomplish that since Sam Riffice in 2014. In contrast, Wang had lost her first round match to eventual champion Hanne Estrada in Bradenton, but didn't drop a set in securing the first Orange Bowl title for a player from China.
Boys 16 Champion Jordan Lee
© Zoo Tennis
Seeded No. 2, Lee picked up right where he left off, winning his 12th consecutive match in straight sets with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Californian Ford McCollum, the fifth seed, in the final. McCollum had advanced to the championship match with a 6-3, 4-1, retired decision over top seed and doubles partner Zavier Augustin, while Lee defeated No. 9 seed William Zhang 6-4, 6-2 in the other all-USA semifinal.
The third consecutive day of winds over 20 mph made every shot an adventure in the championship match, but Lee was able to adjust, both mentally and physically. The wind was particularly strong on Veltri's two show courts, with the tents for spectators groaning and flapping in a particularly fierce gust.
"Conditions were much worse today than all the other days," said the 14-year-old from Orlando. "It was probably one of the toughest matches I've played all year, because of the conditions. It was really tough to serve, to play, honestly. It was nuts."