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Carol Lee wins Florida tourney
The CNMI’s Carol Lee is all smiles as she accepts the giant $3,475 facsimili check for winning the PTT $25K Boca Raton Women tournament last Jan. 7 in Florida. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
The CNMI’s Carol Lee started 2023 on a high note after winning the PTT $25K Boca Raton Women tournament in Florida last Jan. 7.
The 5’9” junior from Georgia Tech survived three playoff matches that all went through tiebreaking third sets to win the tournament and take home the top purse worth $3,475.
The 21-year-old first beat Quinn Gleason of the U.S., 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1, in her opening playoff match.
In the semifinals, the Saipan Community School alumnus defeated Amy Zhu of the U.S., 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-6).
She then won it all with an epic 7-6 (6-4), 3-6, 7-5 win over Katerina Stewart, also of the U.S.
In the preliminaries, Lee debuted with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Xi Wang of China. She then disposed of another Chinese player, Yuhan Liu, in the second round, 7-5, 6-1, before wrapping up her group assignments unscathed with a 6-1, 7-5 triumph over Akasha Urhobo of the U.S.
The Susupe resident savored her victory in the PTT $25K Boca Raton Women tourney since she literally had to fight tooth and nail in all three extended playoffs matches.
“The last three matches for the first place playoffs were 3-plus hours long and I won in all three sets, close games. So I felt that I deserved these wins cause I fought for every point and kept pushing further,” she said.
Her secret? Lee said her tennis game has matured to the point that she now has a better read of the opposing player’s game plan and adjusts accordingly.
“Consistency and knowing the player’s weaknesses helped me know how to tactically play my opponents. But most importantly not giving up even if I was down mentality helped me win,” she said.
Lee dedicated her championship in the PTT $25K Boca Raton Women tournament to her parents, coaches, and all the “people who have been supporting me.”
Carol’s father, Dong Min Lee, said they’re very proud of her winning again in the U.S. mainland.
“I hope she stays healthy and on the right path. So far so good, I and my family are very happy and proud of Carol.”
The PTT $25K Boca Raton Women tournament is part of the UTR Pro Tennis Tour.
