8th Scott Cup | 2nd World Team Tennis Championships

[Sarzonia]

David Polley was thankful that he and the rest of the Sarzonian national tennis team had a few days to process all that happened since Darren's death.

It was a very difficult time, this Scott Cup. It wasn't like the days when Polley's biggest worry was how to defeat Darren. It wasn't like the days when the weightiest issue he faced was his rivalry with Joann Grimsley. He'd invested so much time, emotion and effort into watching after Darren, Sarah and the kids that he was mentally drained.

Now that Giles had been buried in his final resting place at the Catherina National Cemetery, Polley began to feel a small sense that he could finally start concentrating more of his energy on his game. That could potentially mean trouble for the 11th seed Kingdom of Costa Luna. Unlike the World Team Tennis Championships, he would face a male player while Joann Grimsley would face a female player. Grimsley would also only play three sets at most during her singles match.

"I haven't really followed [the gender controversy]," said. "That was the World Team Tennis Championships. This is the Scott Cup. Big difference."

For Grimsley, the focus was always on tennis except for this brief interlude focusing on a former rival and now departed friend. The first round bye was vital for Sarzonia's players to get their emotions in focus and for a mental break. Physically, Polley and Grimsley were in great shape. They generally were, particularly for having to face Darren Giles or Albertina Iniesta.

As for Sarzonia's B-team, they also had a first-round bye. Granted, Adrian Treadway and Dee Landers didn't have the emotional investment into Darren Giles that Polley or Grimsley had, but they had some. They, too were thankful for the rest that a first round bye provided. Their task in the quarterfinals was a seemingly more difficult 4 v. 5 matchup against Thatius. Treadway and Landers used much of the time off to study both opponents. Landers took Thatius while Treadway studied Shadowbourne. They then went over Landers's notes.

As for the World Team Tennis match ups, Sarzonia would have to face off against The Inevitable Syndicate in the loser's final for a chance to get a second crack at Delaclava. The Stars made very quick work of The Syndicate during the group stage, winning their match 4-1 as only Cara Vanin dropped a match among the five.

If Sarzonia were to pull off the victory, which Vanin and company conceded was no easy task, they would have to defeat Delaclava not once, but twice to hold the World Team Tennis Championship trophy aloft. For a team that scarcely was tested, it would be a tall order. Even if the Stars were the number two seed and were playing extremely well during the winners bracket matches.

********************************************************************

Polley walked slowly back to his car holding the racket Sarah had just given him. Well, Darren gave it to him in a sense. He wanted Polley to have it as a lasting memento of the friendship they'd forged. He sat down next to his car, staring at the racket and trying hard not to sob. There was a lot to process, Sarah reaching out to him and trying to help bring him some cheer when it was her husband she'd buried.

All of that was on Polley's mind as he stared at the strings. He sank down to the ground where he lost his battle with his tears.

[Delaclava]

RP cutoff for the Scott Cup quarterfinals and the WTTC "third-place match"!

[Delaclava]

SCOTT CUP

QUARTERFINALS
#1 Sarzonia 3-0 #11 Kingdom of Costa Luna
David Polley (SRZ) def. Vito Najera 6-1, 7-5, 6-4
Joann Grimsley (SRZ) def. Isabell Espino 6-2, 6-1
Polley/Grimsley (SRZ) def. Najera/Espino 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)

#2 Delaclava 3-0 #10 Royal Kingdom of Quebec
Will Goggin (DEL) def. Felix Jeon 7-5, 6-1, 6-2
Claire Bell (DEL) def. Carolyn Bourassa 6-0, 3-6, 6-3
Goggin/Bell (DEL) def. Jeon/Bourassa 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-1)

#3 Saugeais 1-2 #8 The Inevitable Syndicate
Antonio Cronin (TIS) def. Stefan Baptiste 4-6, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2, 8-6
Jeanne Ribery (SAU) def. Michelle Newton 6-3, 5-7, 6-0
Cronin/Newton (TIS) def. Baptiste/Ribery 6-4, 6-1

#4 Sarzonia B 3-0 #5 Thatius
Adrian Treadway (SRZ) def. Rob Djokic 6-4, 6-2, 0-6, 6-7 (8-10), 6-0
Dee Landers (SRZ) def. Caroline Kygios 6-4, 2-6, 7-5
Treadway/Landers (SRZ) def. Djokic/Kygios 6-3, 6-2

#1 Sarzonia vs. #8 The Inevitable Syndicate
#2 Delaclava vs. #4 Sarzonia B

---

WORLD TEAM TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

Consolation Round 6
Match 29: #7 The Inevitable Syndicate 1-2 #2 Sarzonia
Clay Bonner (SRZ) def. Andrew Adams 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-1
Cara Vanin (SRZ) def. Callum Wilkinson 6-0, 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-5)
Nathan Bishop/Daniel Bishop (TIS) def. Matt Branson/Alyssa Tyler 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 7-5, 3-6, 6-4

[Sarzonia]

The quarterfinals against Costa Luna were bereft of the controversy surrounding the World Team Tennis Championship matchup for the Sarzonians. David Polley made quick work of Vito Najera, winning in straight sets 6-1, 7-5, 6-4. Joann Grimsley, same thing against Isabell Espino 6-2, 6-1. The duo also dispatched their Costa Lunan foes in straight sets during the doubles match.

Fans eagerly expecting a possible Sarzonia v. Sarzonia B matchup would be delightfully disappointed, however. Adrian Treadway and Dee Landers had a deceptively hard fought battle against Thatius to do their part, but third seeded Saugeais lost. As a result, if Sarzonia were to face Sarzonia B, they would have to do so in the final, and they would have to get through a Delaclav team that had lost six sets the entire group stage. And yes, three of those sets came against Sarzonia B, but the Delaclavs were hardly tested except for their Cyanea neighbours.

For Polley, the match was a good emotional release. It was his first meaningful tennis since saying goodbye to Darren Giles for the final time. It was the first match since his encounter with Sarah Giles and with being in Darren’s room after he had died. It was a cathartic moment for him to send that forehand winner down the line for match point against Najera in his singles match.

Grimsley provided the moment when her service ace slipped past Najera. When the Sarzonians clinched the spot in the semifinals, she pointed to the sky and said, “Darren, that was for you.”

Treadway and Landers both were too exhausted to do much celebrating. Once they finished showering and getting dressed, they sat down in the players’ lounge and Treadway took a nap rather than watch Polley’s or Grimsley’s matches.

***********************************************

When Polley had finally composed himself enough, he put the racket in the case and into the trunk of his car. He drove back to the hotel, walked in and decided at the last minute to ask the hotel to place the case with the racket in it into the safe. He knew crime around Catherina was low, but he didn’t want to take any chances.

He went back to his hotel room, went to lie down on the bed and then went to sleep. It wasn’t until 10 hours had elapsed before he finally woke up. He had planned to go to the hotel restaurant for dinner, but it closed at 8 p.m. that night and he woke up at midnight. Almost as if on cue, he heard a knock at the door to his room.

Polley walked to the door and looked through the peep hole.

“Rocco!”

“Hi David!” The two men embraced.

“I brought you some food. I figured you’d be too tired to go out to dinner with the rest of us. You didn’t answer your phone.”

“I didn’t even hear it!”

The two men sat at the table in Polley’s hotel room and ate together.

[The Inevitable Syndicate]

Holding On Until The Bitter End

---

Catherina, DELACLAVA---- Well, ladies and gentlemen, it seems that we've become one of three nations left in both the Scott Cup and the World Team Tennis Championship. It seems that the competition is getting a little too tight, with the Syndicate shafted into playing against Sarzonia in both tournaments. The matches have already gotten underway in the WTTC, with the Consolation Round 6 seeming to console Sarzonia a little more. Clay Bonner and Cara Vanin managed to pull ahead in both matches against Adams and Wilkinson respectively, with Bonner really making some power plays and going hard up the middle of the court, and with Wilkinson managing to claim two sets from the incumbent champions before falling flat on his face in the final two sets.

The Bishop Brothers seemed to pack more of a punch, however, and managed to give us the only win of the round so far, winning the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th sets in a tense game that really went down to the wire. It seems the Bishop Brothers had it covered, though, and their unique style of play served them well. Matt Branson & Alyssa Tyler just didn't have the connection that the Syndicatians did, and Here's hoping that Adams and Wilkinson can pick up the pace, and claim a miracle victory that would see us face Delaclava in the finals. If that ever happens, we would have to play them twice in order to secure the win, but if we managed to get that far, I think our tennis players would be able to find the strength to pull off a victory.

In the Scott Cup, the Syndicate deftly deflected the attempts of Saugeais, after Antonio Cronin beat Stefan Baptiste, and the combinations of the Syndicate's best players managed to stave off the attack of Baptiste & Ribery. They go on to play - you guessed once again - Sarzonia in the Semi-Finals. We managed to get a few words with Antonio Cronin upon hearing this.

"Wow, it seems that Sarzonia just don't want to get away from us, do they? I've seen various members of the team watching us like hawks recently, trying to study our game and prepare any counter-attacks. To be honest, I'm now surprised when I turn round and don't see someone taking notes on me! I'm half expecting it when I go back to the Syndicate!

All silliness aside, the Sarzonian A side is very strong, and I feel that we'll have to push really hard if we want to win. Michelle and I have had to up our game at many points this tournament, including enacting sweeping changes as trying new positions, and generally copping a feel for international play. We've yet to face the hosts, but that could all change if we manage to beat off Polley & Grimsley."

Interesting words there from the Syndicatian. We'll just have to wait and see if they get it right on the night.

Harvery Harding
ILN Sports

[Kingdom of Costa Luna]

For a dark horse team, Costa Luna played extremely well both in the Scott Cup and the WTTC. The nation plans on making a return trip to the next set of competitions, but will first send its players to the Olympic Games. The government of Costa Luna, especially Princesa Rosalinda Fioré, would like to extend a big thank you to Delaclava for being a wonderful host and also for allowing Costa Luna to compete in the tournaments this year. To Sarzonia, Costa Luna promises to return and be ready for any team that they want to put out.

[Delaclava]

RP cutoff! Who will be in the final of the WTTC with the host nation?

[Delaclava]

WORLD TEAM TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

Consolation Round 6
Match 29: #7 The Inevitable Syndicate 2-3 #2 Sarzonia
Clay Bonner (SRZ) def. Andrew Adams 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-1
Cara Vanin (SRZ) def. Callum Wilkinson 6-0, 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-5)
Nathan Bishop/Daniel Bishop (TIS) def. Matt Branson/Alyssa Tyler 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 7-5, 3-6, 6-4
Adams (TIS) def. Vanin 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4
Bonner (SRZ) def. Wilkinson 3-6, 6-2, 0-6, 6-0, 7-5

Winners Round 5
Match 30: #1 Delaclava vs. #2 Sarzonia

[Sarzonia]

It all came down to Clay Bonner.

Often lost in the shuffle with all of Sarzonia's tennis media focused on David Polley, Joann Grimsley, Adrian Treadway and Cara Vanin, Bonner very quietly went about his business.

He wasn't as bookish as David Polley, nor was he the surfer dude the late Darren Giles was in his youth or Adrian Treadway was currently. He was quiet, pensive. So much so that many Sarzonians wondered how he would handle it if he faced adversity.

He faced it square on as Vanin lost a four-set match against Andrew Adams which caused Sarzonia's World Team Tennis squad to blow a 2-0 lead against the underdogs from The Inevitable Syndicate. He dropped the first set against Callum Wilkinson, who was very quickly becoming the face of his country 6-3. He breathed in slowly and exhaled, waiting for the first service to come from Wilkinson. He steeled for the forehand return, which was not his strength.

All of a sudden, the ball bounced and arched toward his backhand side, which was his strength. He steadied his feet and swung his right arm. The ball bounced off the racket much more forcefully than any tennis ball ever did off his racket and it screamed past Wilkinson.

"Love-fifteen," the announcer intoned.

One shot, even the opening shot of the second set, may not make much difference in most tennis matches, but it did in this one. Bonner rallied to win the second set, and even though he threw up a goose egg in the third set, he came back to win the fourth set at love. That set the stage for the fifth and deciding set, which itself took 78 minutes before Wilkinson finally launched his serve just past the line.

"Out!"

"Challenge!" Wilkinson yelled out. "It hit the line!"

The replay challenge showed the graphic. Just centimetres out.

"Game, set, match to Clay Bonner and Sarzonia."

That meant the Stars would get a second date with Delaclava. This time, the Sarzonians desperately needed to win just to force another match for the title. They would still have a chance even though they now had to come out of the losers bracket. They would now have to face a more rested Delaclav team.

The Sarzonian coaches would have to resist the temptation to call up David Polley and Joann Grimsley. At least unless Delaclava led two matches to one and Polley's and Grimsley's presence might tip the odds in Sarzonia's favour. But even then, the Sarzonians knew Polley and Grimsley had a lot of work left to accomplish on the Scott Cup side of things.

Polley was using the time away from the court to practice his game a little, study a little, and do something he and Grimsley both rarely got to do in previous Scott Cups. Sightsee. This time, however, they decided to bring Cara Vanin with them.

"We'd like to take you to see some sights," Grimsley told Vanin.

"There's also the statue of Darren we'd like to show you," Polley said.

"There's also the monument to the Cyanea Series," Polley said.

Vanin smiled.

"I always wanted to see that monument," she said. "I have Game 7 saved on every computer in my house."

"So do I," Polley said. "I have the entire series with commentary from players and staff from both teams on Blu-ray."

For once, Polley and Grimsley were in total agreement. They all wanted to get a chance to enjoy their stay, and savour the memories from this Scott Cup.

[Delaclava]

RP cutoff for the semis of the Scott Cup! And will we have a WTTC champion tonight?

[Delaclava]

SCOTT CUP

Semifinals
#1 Sarzonia 3-0 #8 The Inevitable Syndicate
David Polley (SRZ) def. Antonio Cronin 3-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4
Joann Grimsley (SRZ) def. Michelle Newton 6-0, 6-3
Polley/Grimsley (SRZ) def. Cronin/Newton 5-7, 6-4, 7-5

#2 Delaclava 3-0 #4 Sarzonia B
Will Goggin (DEL) def. Adrian Treadway 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 4-6, 11-9
Claire Bell (DEL) def. Dee Landers 6-1, 2-6, 7-5
Goggin/Bell (DEL) def. Treadway, Landers 7-6 (7-3), 6-2

Third Place Playoff
#8 The Inevitable Syndicate vs. #4 Sarzonia B

Championship
#1 Sarzonia vs. #2 Delaclava

---

WORLD TEAM TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

Winners Round 5
Match 30: #1 Delaclava 2-1 #2 Sarzonia
Rocco Davis (DEL) def. Clay Bonner 6-2, 6-4, 6-1
Will Goggin (DEL) def. Cara Vanin 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-0), 6-0
Matt Branson/Alyssa Tyler (SRZ) def. Usan Djabe Arefi/Daiko Uchimura 0-6, 2-6, 7-6 (8-6), 7-5, 8-6

[Sarzonia]

Clay Bonner felt it as soon as the ball whistled by him for match point.

His hamstring suddenly began to experience a shooting pain that caused him to limp badly as he started walking toward Rocco Davis to congratulate the Delaclav for beating him in straight sets. After a quick handshake, Davis immediately motioned for trainers to tend to Bonner.

Will Goggin would make deceptively short work of Cara Vanin, winning the first two sets in tiebreakers before taking the second tiebreaker and the third set at love. However, Matt Branson and Alyssa Tyler both decided they would not allow Sarzonia's hopes at winning to force a third match against Delaclava for the World Team Tennis Championships to fade away and they knocked off the Delaclav pair of Usan Djabe Arefi and Daiko Uchimura by rallying from two sets down to win a five-set marathon.

Sarzonia's coaching staff now had to scramble. Their first thought was to ask Adrian Treadway if he would be willing to face off against Goggin in Bonner's spot. That was, until a shadowy official who flashed a Sarzonian law enforcement badge told him Treadway had bought marijuana from a shop in the northwest quadrant of Catherina.

"It's legal here!" he'd protested. Technically, it was also legal in Sarzonia, although heavily taxed.

"It doesn't matter," the figure's response was. "We're only allowing you to play your third place match against The Inevitable Syndicate in the Scott Cup finals. You're not allowed to take on anything else."

Speaking of The Inevitable Syndicate, they were sent to the third place playoff by David Polley and Joann Grimsley, who made sure with a three-match sweep that the only match up everyone expected in the Scott Cup final would take place.

Delaclava vs. Sarzonia.

David Poley vs. Will Goggin. Joann Grimsley vs. Claire Bell.

Little did anyone know that the World Team Tennis Championship final two rubbers would also include David Polley vs. Will Goggin. Polley agreed to face off against Goggin as a substitute for the injured Bonner and the suspended Treadway.

"It's far from an ideal situation," Polley said when asked about agreeing to play in the World Team Tennis Championships as a substitute. "I wanted to concentrate my energy on the Scott Cup rather than play in both tournaments, but I'm here to serve as a good teammate and I'm here to win. I know Will's going to be a tough opponent, but I'm also willing to put everything out there to win."

Cara Vanin will still face off against Rocco Davis barring a last minute setback or injury.

"He's a great player," Vanin said. "That doesn't mean he's unbeatable. I have to bring my A game to be able to force this to yet another match."

[Delaclava]

Will Goggin and Rocco Davis laughed as they walked down to the tennis center's main building at the Delaclava National Athletic Complex. A few days removed from Darren Giles' funeral, the two were beginning to accept and move on, and it was helping their tennis. Without the burden of grief, each had scored a straight-set victory over a Sarzonian opponent the day before, and now just one had to repeat their performance to give Delaclava the World Team Tennis Championship. If they both lost, they would still get another shot right after due to the double elimination format.

They had just had breakfast together with their teammates, Usan Djabe Arefi and Daiko Uchimura. The four had grown a lot closer during the tournament - and the surrounding circumstances - and their meal was a lighthearted affair. They hoped to have dinner later with Lachlan Delany, Andrew Fuller, Adrian Fernandez, and Vacha Tiopolov - the four who had played dead rubbers during the tournament - with title in hand.

Goggin and Davis were going to check the court schedule to see when they were expected on. "You'll be against Clay Bonner today," Rocco told Will. Rocco had now beaten Bonner twice, but on the reverse rubbers Tiopolov had played Bonner instead. Bonner won in four sets.

"He's a good player. Not a very powerful forehand but one of the better backhands I've seen. The first time we played he showed a lot of resilience and each set was very close."

"And what about yesterday?"

"Poor guy, I think he has a hamstring problem. His movement just wasn't great. But it is what it is."

"How did he beat Vacha?"

"Patience. The first set he let Vacha make the mistakes, and you know he's got consistency issues. Second set, Vacha got aggressive and got into him, and he steamrolled him. But Clay keeps his cool incredibly well and used a lot of good finesse to win."

"So what do I do?"

"Be aggressive but controlled. He'll have limited mobility and his forehand's not great. Mix it up. I'd definitely try some serve-and-volley, but also some forehand rallies. Work in the drop shots too."

Will nodded. Rocco asked, "What do you know about Vanin? As a player."

Will laughed. "She just doesn't go away. Took me to five sets the first time and did the same to Adrian on the reverse. Yesterday, two tiebreakers. She comes out with a lot of fire and aggression and she's fearless. The goal is to withstand it and turn the tide around. Your fitness has improved a lot. Use that."

They had come to the schedule. Not much was written on it, since there were only two matches. Will glanced, saw "12:00: Will Goggin, Delaclava vs." and said, "Looks like I'm first. You're probably at 5?" he said as he started to turn away.

"Will", Rocco said. He tugged on his arm to get him to come back. "Look again."

Will read the full line. "12:00: Will Goggin, Delaclava vs. David Polley, Sarzonia."

Will processed what he had just read and panicked. "Rocco! What is this? They can't just change it like that!"

Rocco laughed and squeezed Will's shoulder. "Yes, they can. They had to, Bonner's hurt. Just relax, this is a bit of a surprise but you're going to be fine."

Will wasn't reassured, adding, "And I have to play him for the Scott Cup too! I don't know anything about him!" He put his face in his palms and ran his hands through his hair, clearly distressed.

Rocco shook him and told him firmly, "Look, you haven't lost a match yet and you're not going to start now. David's a resilient player and this will be a good challenge for you. But he's not a good server and you know how to beat him." He sighed for a second, and then he continued, "Darren just told me to keep playing like myself and I would be fine. He was 6-0 against Polley. You trust me on this, don't you? You trust him?"

Will nodded, finally starting to calm down. Rocco said, "Look, there's no pressure here at all. It's him that has to come back. You get a chance to feel out his game before the Scott Cup. Even if you lose, we still win if I do. And if I somehow lose, it's our first loss and we get to fix our mistakes and try again. We're going to be fine. Ok?"

Will smiled. He trusted Rocco. This was Will's first big international tournament as a singles player. He had no experience, but Rocco did, and Will knew Rocco had earned his reputation around the world. And Will still trusted Darren, even in death.

Rocco told him, "Let's start warming up. We need to be loose. We can get it done later, but it's our time now."

[Delaclava]

RP cutoff! Will Delaclava win the World Championship or will we be playing this one again?

[Delaclava]

WORLD TEAM TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

Winners Round 5
Match 30: #1 Delaclava 4-1 #2 Sarzonia
Rocco Davis (DEL) def. Clay Bonner 6-2, 6-4, 6-1
Will Goggin (DEL) def. Cara Vanin 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-0), 6-0
Matt Branson/Alyssa Tyler (SRZ) def. Usan Djabe Arefi/Daiko Uchimura 0-6, 2-6, 7-6 (8-6), 7-5, 8-6
Goggin (DEL) def. David Polley 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-4
Davis (DEL) def. Vanin 6-4, 6-2, 7-5

Congrats to Delaclava's Rocco Davis, Will Goggin, Usan Djabe Arefi, Daiko Uchimura, Adrian Fernandez, Vacha Tiopolov, Lachlan Delany and Andrew Fuller on winning the 2nd World Team Tennis Championship!

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Delaclava
2. Sarzonia
3. The Inevitable Syndicate
4. Thatius
5. Super-Llamaland
6. Kingdom of Costa Luna
7. Kriegiersien
8. Tyrrin
9. Swibia
10. The Royal Kingdom of Quebec
11. Darmen
12. Lithatrius
13. Schmiegelland
14. Shadowbourne
15. The Andromeda Islands
16. Levivania

[Super-Llamaland]

What a tournament. What a WTTC we had. We battled through the tournament until we met our Syndicatian end. We upset No. 6 Thatius and No. 3 Darmen. We even made it to the Scott Cup playoffs.

But it's over now. The Llamaneans pack up their bags and go home.

Over until the 9th Scott Cup and 3rd WTTC.

Eric Francis: "We're glad we played well there. We'll hope for future success."

What a run. What a tournament.

[Sarzonia]

David Polley was not sent to the World Team Tennis Championships for a number of reasons. Chief among them was his desire to concentrate on the Scott Cup and getting a chance to hoist that trophy once again.

Even more than winning the title simply to add to his individual haul of Scott Cup gold medals, it was a chance for him to prove to observers who were well aware of the friction between him and Joann Grimsley that he could win a Scott Cup with her as his partner again. It was a chance for him to bring the feud full circle once again by winning the Scott Cup with her by his side.

He also had additional motivation for the Scott Cup.

"I'd love to see you win the Scott Cup again."

Polley thought about those words for a minute. Sadly, Darren Giles wouldn't live to see Polley battle Will Goggin in Scott Cup singles for the right to hoist that trophy. But the motivation would very clearly drive Polley the rest of the tournament. He carried a small picture of Darren in his wallet. He would look at it every day before driving to the complex.

He was fully ready for a day of relaxation when he got a phone call from a frantic Sarzonian coach.

"David. We need you to play in the World Team Tennis Championship match against Will Goggin."

"What? I thought Clay was playing."

"He injured his hamstring."

"What about Adrian?"

"He's suspended."

"Why?"

"He got caught with drugs when we did a locker audit. It's a violation of team rules, so he's not eligible to play even if we advance."

"What about the third place match?"

"We've just called up Jamie Windsor. He's played with Dee during his college days."

"That will put them at a big disadvantage against The Inevitable Syndicate."

"Why not have Joann play against Will?"

"We don't want to tax her by playing five-setters. She's not used to it like Cara is. In addition, we didn't want to bring a player from Sarzonia at the last second."

"So you're stuck with me."

"I wouldn't say that. Goggin's good, but he's not unbeatable. You just have to play your game and you can take him."

"But I have to play him for the Scott Cup final too."

"You can use tonight's match to get a gauge for how you can play him tomorrow night."

If that match were a gauge for how Polley would fare in the Scott Cup final, he'd have his work cut out for him. Goggin won the match 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-4, giving the World Team Tennis Championship to Delaclava and having Sarzonia settle for silver.

It would also give Polley even more added motivation for his Scott Cup match against Goggin. Revenge.

All the work, all the sweat. All the blood. All the tears. All the memories that made up this Scott Cup would come down to one more night. One more match for all the marbles. It was the Scott Cup final. It was Sarzonia's A team versus Delaclava's.

It was the only possible outcome. Darren Giles wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

[Delaclava]

RP cutoff! Let's see the podium for the Scott Cup, shall we? (EDIT: Sarzonia's RP was seen before scorination actually started and therefore it was counted.)

[Sarzonia]

Jamie Windsor had just come back from a night on the town in Nicksia. He was staying at his uncle's beach house overlooking the sea. His uncle's partner was really into boating and had a marina with a couple of different boats docked.

Windsor had just finished his sophomore year at Gardner City College just outside suburban Portland. The warm weather made for excellent sightseeing. And sightseeing, he thought with a grin.

He hadn't scored with anyone at any of the bars he went to. The scorching hot co-eds in Quasar were stuck up bitches. Most of them wouldn't even give him the time of day. He'd tried going to Bollywood's, but they charged a $20 cover.

Hell if I'm paying that, he thought. He had one more option he was going to try. Paramour.

Yes, it was a gay bar. Windsor wasn't particular about whom he picked up as long as she -- or he -- was hot.

He went up to the guest room where he was staying. He'd left his mobile phone behind to charge it while he was out. He saw the voice mail icon which meant someone left him a message.

Did that hot chick from The Pier call me back? he thought. He looked at the number. His eyebrows furrowed. He recognised the number, but it was from the tennis federation. Before he could dial the number to listen to the message, his phone rang. It was the same number.

"Hello?"

"Hi, this is Eric Townley. May I speak with Jamie Windsor?"

"Speaking."

"Jamie, we're going to need you to get to Catherina by tomorrow afternoon."

"Wait, what?"

"You've just been called up to the Scott Cup team. I'll have a courier meet you in Corcorran at 6 a.m. tomorrow."

"Wait a minute," Windsor said. "I thought Adrian and David were playing."

"David is. Adrian's been suspended."

"Suspended? For what?"

"Drug possession."

"I thought drugs were legal."

"They are in Delaclava. They are here, too. Team rules prohibit drug possession or use. That's why Adrian was suspended."

"That's just not right."

"That's neither here nor there. You've got four hours to be in Corcorran. Good luck."

Windsor sat on his bed. He knew he'd have to pack and then hail a cab to cross the border. That was until he saw his uncle's partner still up. Interestingly enough, he had heard the conversation.

"Uncle Paul," he said. "I have a favour to ask."

"You need a ride to Corcorran, don't you?"

"How'd you know?"

"They called us here too," Paul said. "It'll take a good hour to hail a cab that'll take you across the border. By the time we get to Corcorran's courier centre with all the traffic, it'll be 6:30. I can get us there in an hour."

"But how?"

"You know my boat collection. We'll take the Yancey. She can get us to the marina in Corcorran in 30 minutes. Besides," he said, adding a smile. "The dockmaster there owes me a few favours. Come on, let's pack your tennis gear."

Windor stood up and accepted his uncle's partner's offer gratefully. He knew he could bounce back quickly from not having trained in three weeks after a grueling college season. He also knew he could bounce back on relatively light sleep at 19 years of age.

What he didn't know was how he would be able to pick up play on the wooden courts in Catherina on such short notice.

[Delaclava]

SCOTT CUP

Third Place Playoff
#8 The Inevitable Syndicate 2-1 #4 Sarzonia B
Antonio Cronin (TIS) def. Jamie Windsor 6-0, 6-2, 6-7 (2-7), 5-7, 8-6
Dee Landers (SRZ) def. Michelle Newton 4-6, 6-2, 7-5
Cronin/Newton (TIS) def. Windsor/Landers 6-0, 6-7 (7-9), 7-5

Championship
#1 Sarzonia 2-1 #2 Delaclava
Will Goggin (DEL) def. David Polley 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2
Joann Grimsley (SRZ) def. Claire Bell 6-0, 6-0
Polley/Grimsley (SRZ) def. Goggin/Bell 6-0, 6-7 (14-16), 11-9

Congratulations to Sarzonia on the championship, and to the other three medals winners! Final standings:

1. Sarzonia
2. Delaclava
3. The Inevitable Syndicate
4. Sarzonia B
5. Kingdom of Costa Luna
6. Royal Kingdom of Quebec
7. Saugeais
8. Thatius
9. Super-Llamaland
10. Tyrrin
11. Kriegiersien
12. Shadowbourne
13. Darmen
14. Schmiegelland
15. Levivania
16. Lithatrius
17. Swibia
18. The Andromeda Islands

Thanks to all for participating! See you next time!

[Kingdom of Costa Luna]

Next time, we hope to not lose 60% of our losses to Sarzonia. But all said and done, a fifth in the Scott Cup and a sixth in the WTTC is very respectable for a new team. See you next time and thanks again.

[Sarzonia]

Stop me if you've heard this one before.

David Polley loses his men's singles match to his opponent. Joann Grimsley wins her singles match against her opponent. The battle for the Scott Cup comes down to the mixed doubles affair between David Polley and Joann Grimsley and their Delaclav opponents.

That scenario played out yet again in this eighth Scott Cup final. It would mark the seventh time in eight Scott Cups that Sarzonia would face Delaclava for the Scott Cup title. And yet again, the battle for the mixed doubles match would come down to a marathon third set. Sarzonia would prevail in that third set 11-9 to capture the Scott Cup for the third consecutive time and the fifth time overall.

Polley would once again lose a critical match against Will Goggin. It would be the second consecutive time he would drop a match to Goggin. He realised that he was so intense for this final that he was wound too tightly. He ended up with an uncharacteristic 17 double-faults and couldn't even muster a five-set comeback.

He skulked as he walked off the court, worried that he'd let Sarzonian tennis down. More importantly, he worried that he'd let Darren down. However, Grimsley was once again up to the task, crushing Claire Bell in straight sets love-love.

That set the stage for the dramatics in the third set. Back and forth they went: The Delaclavs took the early lead 2-0. Sarzonia battled back to take a 4-2 lead. Delaclava jumped back to win three games. Sarzonia battled to take a 6-5 lead. Goggin broke Polley's serve. Grimsley broke Bell's. On and on it went before Grimsley looked up and saw Cara Vanin in the stands. She winked at Grimsley who smiled.

With Sarzonia up 40-30 in the 20th game of the set, she decided she'd forego her usual strategy of serving to Bell. She went right for Goggin. He was taken aback by the surprising power she showed with her serve, firing the return into the net. That sent the arms of both Polley and Grimsley high in the air. Instead of celebrating the fourth title for each member of the doubles pairing, Polley's arms were raised to the sky along with his face.

Sarah Giles was in the audience with Forrest and Claire. She saw the camera focus on Polley. His eyes were closed. One tear rolled slowly down his right cheek. She could tell Polley had trouble getting the words out, but she had no trouble reading his lips.

"This is for you, Darren."

In the third place playoff, Jamie Windsor's eyes widened despite having only two hours of sleep. He'd made it to the wooden courts in Catherina with just enough time to do a quick warm up. He didn't really get a chance to do much more than that because of the last-minute nature of his arrival.

That lack of prep time would cost him in the first two sets as The Inevitable Syndicate's Antonio Cronin dominated his young Sarzonian opponent love and two. However, Windsor dug deep and battled back, taking the third set in a tiebreaker with a 7-2 margin during the tiebreak, then 7-5 in the fourth set to force a fifth and deciding set. That went to Cronin. Dee Landers won her match in three sets over Michelle Newton, but the magic ran out for the Sarzonians after a dominant first set they won 6-0 in the mixed doubles match.

However, the story of the day was the Sarzonians in the final. A lengthy embrace between the Sarzonians and the Delaclavs was punctuated with Polley and Grimsley both pointing to Sarah and her kids, then the sky. The Delaclav crowd stayed and seemingly realised what the Sarzonians were doing and whom they were honouring. They let out a long cheer.

Whether that cheer was simply for the memory of Darren Giles, his career, his family, his life or that was for his legacy remains to be seen. For a select few, the cheers might have even been intended for Polley and Grimsley themselves for setting aside a months-long feud. For coming together in support and concern for Darren and his family. For David's role in showing how two countries could almost seem to be one.

They washed over the wooden courts for the time for this edition of the Scott Cup. But everyone understood one thing that would remain long after the cheers fell silent. The memories of this tournament would be more powerful than any service ace and linger on far longer than the memory of the people who lifted the Scott Cup aloft.

When we die, that's all we'll have left. And these memories will be great ones.