Kayla Day Wins in Macon

MACON, Ga. -- The standing room only crowd in Macon on Sunday at Mercer University was treated to a big time tennis final, featuring two top young Americans. California-native, Kayla Day was coming off a win in the U.S. Open juniors and University of Virginia graduate and two-time NCAA champion, Danielle Collins was coming off a win at the 25K in Stillwater and had only dropped one set in seven matches this week.

Day got off to her patented fast start. Hitting big serves totaling two aces and five service winners, she mixed in a couple service breaks to take the 6-1 opener.

Things got a little more interesting in the second set as Collins changed tactics and went to the loopy soft shots that frustrated Day in her quarterfinal match. Day this time had an answer.

She answered often with drop shots of her own to put Collins back on the defensive.

"Especially when she was hitting the ball a little slower in the second set," explained Day."I was able to get her inside the court, so she couldn't hit it so high.

She answered with big first serves that bailed her out when facing break points. She also had an answer for shots that Collins hit as winners in her previous matches.

"It's good when you can win some points just based on your serve," Day added.

Day now jumps out into the lead in the USTA Australian Open Wildcard Challenge. This opportunity is awarding a Australian Open main draw wildcard to one player that accumulates the most points in the 50K events over a three week period.

"It's definitely a goal," said Day. "It would be great to get that and get in."

In the doubles final, the relatively new team of Americans Sabrina Santamaria and Keri Wong broke each of their opponents one time to win a 6-3 opening set. The momentum continued as the American duo won the first game of the second set, but then after a long discussion at the baseline, Krajicek and Townsend won three straight games as they forced themselves to the net.

Midway through the match tiebreaker, Krajicek and Townsend had another strategy session that again paid off. From 5-5, they rattled off consecutive points to close out the win.

Sunday's Final Results:
Kayla DAY (USA) d. Danielle Rose COLLINS (USA) 6-1, 6-3
Michaella KRAJICEK(NED)/ Taylor TOWNSEND (USA) d. Sabrina SANTAMARIA (USA) / Keri WONG (USA) 3-6, 6-2 {10-6}

About the LeRoy Peddy Tennis Center
The LeRoy Peddy Tennis Center is the home for Mercer University men's and women's tennis. The facility is located just inside the South campus entrance, nestled among its pine tree lined western perimeter and adjacent to MU's softball stadium and practice fields. The Center features a total of eight courts, aligned in a picturesque bi-level configuration (four courts each on the upper and lower tiers). The lighted venue also has ample parking and seating for fans on either level and a park-like walkway for access between the two sections.

About the USTA Pro Circuit
With approximately 90 tournaments hosted annually throughout the country and prize money ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. In celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2014, the USTA Pro Circuit provides players with the opportunity to gain professional ranking points, and it has since grown to become the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world, offering nearly $3 million in prize money. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed in cities nationwide. John Isner, Maria Sharapova, Sam Querrey, Sloane Stephens, Mardy Fish, Victoria Azarenka and Andy Murray are among today's top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit.

The W.L. Amos Sr. Foundation
The W.L. Amos Sr. Foundation is the title sponsor of the tournament

Middle Georgia Tennis Foundation
The mission of the Middle Georgia Tennis Foundation is to raise funds to support tennis programs, especially youth programs in Middle Georgia.

For more information:
On-site PR contact: Rick Limpert (209) 920-7425 or email: Rick.Limpert@gmail.com
Website: www.ustamaconclassic.com
Twitter: @USTAMacon50K
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WL-Amos-Sr-Tennis-Classic

Mercer University Athletics

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